n; 


HISTORY 

OF  THE 

JUNIOR  ORDER  UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS 


OLD  CONCORD  SCHOOL  HOUSE,  THE  BIRTH-PLACE  OF  THE  Jr.  O.  U.  A.  M. 
GERMANTOWN  (PHILADELPHIA).  MAY  17,  1853 


HISTORY 


OF   THE 


JUNIOR  ORDER  UNITED  AMERICAN 
MECHANICS 


OF  THE 


UNITED  STATES  OF  NORTH  AMERICA 


BY 

The  Rev.  M.  D.  LICHLITER 

PAST  STATE  COUNCILOR  OF  PENNSYLVANIA.  AND  NATIONAL  CHAPLAIN 


PHILADELPHIA 

Press  of  j.  B.  lippincott  company 

IQOQ 


Copyright,  1908 

By 

Rev.  M.  D.  Lichlitek 


\Q  to 


TO  MY  WIFE 
MARY  FLORENCE 

THIS  VOLUME  IS  MOST  AFFECTIONATELY 
DEDICATED 


A  FOREWORD 


THERE  was  a  time  when  an  important  part  of  a  book  was 
the  preface,  in  which  the  author  set  forth  his  ideas  and 
gave  the  raison  d'  e'tre  of  the  publication.  In  this  instance  the 
work  itself  shall  give  the  reason  for  the  following  pages. 

Fifty-five  years  ago  to-day  the  Junior  Order  of  United  Ameri- 
can Mechanics  had  its  birth;  and  with  the  exception  of  a  brief 
record  by  National  Secretary  Edw.  S.  Deemer,  issued  in  1896,  in 
connection  with  another  publication,  entitled  "  American  Land- 
marks," no  comprehensive  history  of  the  Order  has  been  compiled, 
hence  the  demand  for  a  fuller  account  of  the  origin,  rise,  progress, 
work  and  success  of  this  great  American  organization.  To  meet 
this  demand,  and  to  place  in  detail  the  evolution  of  the  Jr. 
0.  U.  A.  M.,  is  our  purpose  in  sending  forth  upon  the  sea  of  litera- 
ture this  volume. 

It  has  been  our  aim  not  to  say  hard  things  of  anyone,  even  of 
those  who  once  were  in  the  Junior  fold,  and  if  there  has  been  good 
things  to  say  of  our  brethren — well  we  have  said  them,  not  in  a 
spirit  of  flattery,  but  believing  the  words  due  them ;  as  well  as  firmly 
believing  that  'postmortem  love  is  worthless,  that  if  there  are  good 
things  to  say  of  others,  to  speak  them  when  the  ears  can  hear 
and  the  hearts  can  feel  and  that  they  may  know  before  they  go 
down  to  the  silence  of  the  tomb  that  their  work  has  been  appreci- 
ated. Hence  if  we  have  not  been  able  to  say  anything  commend- 
able personally  concerning  those  who  have  endeavored  to  wreck  the 
organization  in  the  years  of  its  strife,  we  have  restrained  from 
saying  anything  to  the  contrary,  feeling  all  the  while  with 
Stevenson : 

"  There's  so  much  bad  in  the  best  of  us, 
And  so  much  good  in  the  worst  of  us, 
That  it  hardly  behooves  any  of  us 
To  speak  about  the  rest  of  us." 


viii  FOREWORD 

How  far  this  history  will  stand  the  test  of  criticism,  is  not 
for  the  writer  to  determine.  To  know  is  one  thing;  to  do  is  quite 
another.  And  it  may  be  observed  of  writing,  as  of  good  blood, 
that  it  is  much  easier  to  say  what  it  is  composed  of  than  to  compose 
it.  It  has  cost  the  writer  more  time  and  pains  to  abridge  these 
pages  than  to  write  them;  therefore  in  submitting  this  volume  to 
the  Order,  it  is  with  the  consciousness  that  we  have  clone  the  best 
we  could. 


fa.&.&cJ&U 


Hakrisbubg,  Pa.,  May  17,  1908. 


ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 


IN  the  compilation  of  data  as  contained  in  this  volume,  the  author 
gratefully  acknowledges  the  assistance  rendered  and  the  cour- 
teous consideration  of  those  whose  names  follow.  Along  general 
lines,  we  give  due  credit  to  "  Deemer's  History  of  the  Junior 
0.  U.  A.  M.",  "  Scharfs  and  Westcott's  History  of  Philadelphia," 
"  Hotchkin's  History  of  Germantown,"  "  Kernan's  History  of  the 
National  Orphans'  Home,"  and  to  the  "Proceedings  of  the  X.-i 
tional  Council"  and  the  "Proceedings"  of  the  various  State 
Councils. 

We  wish,  in  this  connection,  to  express  appreciation  of  the 
brotherly  consideration  given  and  cheering  words  spoken,  by  the 
following  brethren:  Past  National  Councilor  Brother  W.  E. 
Faison,  editor  of  The  American,  for  loan  of  plates  and  cuts  and 
other  useful  data,  and  by  whose  courteous  counsel  we  were  greatly 
assisted;  National  Councilor,  Brother  H.  C.  Schaertzer,  and 
Brother  W.  L.  S.  Gilcreast,  Junior  Past  National  Councilor,  for 
encouragement  extended;  Senior  Past  State  Councilor  Brother 
John  W.  Calver,  for  early  data  concerning  the  Order;  Past  Na- 
tional Councilor  Brother  Thos.  C.  Appleby,  for  facts  associated 
with  Delaware's  early  history;  Past  National  Councilors,  Brothers 
A.  L.  Cray  and  Dr.  J.  L.  Cooper,  for  kind  words  and  helpful  data; 
Brother  Stephen  Collins,  Secretary-Manager  Funeral  Benefit  De- 
partment and  Beneficiary  Degree,  for  loan  of  full  set  of  Proceedings 
of  the  National  Council,  as  well  as  rendering  other  valuable  assist- 
ance; Brothers  Smith  W.  Bennett,  Esq.,  Chief  Counsel,  Archie  D. 
Wilkin,  Esq.,  of  the  National  Law  Committee,  and  B.  D.  Hutchi- 
son, Esq.,  attorney  for  the  National  Council,  for  data  relative  to 
the  legal  status  concerning  the  litigation  in  the  Order;  Brother 
Z.  P.  Smith,  formerly  of  The  American,  for  expressions  of  apprecia- 
tion of  our  efforts  and  for  the  loan  of  plates  and  cuts  to  be  incor- 
porated in  the  volume ;  Brother  Jesse  Taylor,  formerly  Secretary  of 
the  National  Legislative  Committee,  for  important  documents  rela- 
tive to  legislation;  Brothers  F.  W.  Pierson,  D.  B.  McDonald,  A.  L. 
Cray,  A.  H.  Leslie  and  Hilary  E.  Howse,  Trustees  of  the  National 
Orphans'  Home,  for  loan  of  plates;  Past  State  Councilor  F.  <!. 
Hawley,  of  Connecticut ;  National  Vice-Councilor  H.  L.  W.  Taylor, 
of  Tennessee;  N.  0.  Cobb,  State  Council  Treasurer  of  Massachu- 
setts; Ben].  F.  Wertz,  K.  S.  No.  781,  of  Pennsylvania;  Harry  E. 

ix 


x  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 

Dailey,  R.  S.  of  Champion  Council,  No.  2,  of  Ohio;  Past  State 
Councilor  W.  S.  Schenck,  of  Washington;  State  Councilor  J.  W. 
Cheshire,  of  New  York;  H.  W.  Way,  State  Council  Secretary  of 
New  York;  L.  A.  Fankhauser,  R.  S.  of  Freedom  Council,  No.  63, 
of  Ohio;  and  Dr.  W.  H.  Painter,  of  Harrisburg,  Pa.,  for  documents 
and  helpful  information. 

The  author  is  especially  indebted  and  takes  this  opportunity 
of  expressing  his  gratitude  and  appreciation  to  the  following  State 
Council  Secretaries,  for  very  helpful  assistance  extended  by  the  loan 
of  State  Council  Proceedings  and  Records  and  furnishing  much 
useful  information  in  preparing  data  for  history  of  State  Councils : 
Formerly  National  Secretary  E.  S.  Deemer;  G.W.Ford,  State  Coun- 
cil Secretary  of  Pennsylvania;  Past  National  Councilor  J.  G.  A. 
Richter,  State  Council  Secretary  of  Ohio;  Brent  Shriver,  State 
Council  Secretary  of  West  Virginia ;  M.  M.  Woods,  as  State  Council 
Secretary  of  Massachusetts  and  as  National  Secretary,  1907;  Sam.F. 
Vance,  State  Council  Secretary  of  North  Carolina;  Chas.  A.  Davis, 
State  Council  Secretary  of  Maryland;  A.  E.  White,  State  Council 
Secretary  of  Vermont;  James  Needier,  State  Council  Secretary  of 
Indiana ;  Carle  H.  Reeves,  State  Council  Secretary  of  Washington ; 
R.  F.  Hamilton,  State  Council  Secretary  of  Oklahoma  (Indian 
Territory)  ;  Herman  Paine,  State  Council  Secretary  of  California; 
John  W.  Drummond,  State  Council  Secretary  of  Tennessee ;  A.  W. 
Barrus,  State  Council  Secretary  of  Rhode  Island;  W.  J.  Moreland, 
State  Council  Secretary  of  Delaware ;  Herbert  Smith,  State  Council 
Secretary  of  Maine ;  J.  S.  Wilson,  State  Council  Secretary  of  South 
Carolina;  0.  Chacey,  State  Council  Secretary  of  Kansas;  Past 
State  Councilor  J.  A.  Riehl,  of  Colorado,  also  State  Council  Secre- 
tary ;  State  Councilor  Jeffrey,  of  Vermont ;  E.  R.  Dillingham,  State 
Council  Secretary,  of  Georgia;  Rev.  R.  D.  Harding,  Past  State 
Councilor,  of  Kentucky;  Geo.  B.  Nesbitt,  and  H.  H.  Eddy,  Past 
State  Councilor  of  Colorado. 


CONTENTS 


I.    GENERAL  HISTORY 

PAGE 

1.  Inception  and  Origin 1 

Native  Americans 2 

The  Philadelphia  Riots  3 

Who  was  George  Shiffler?  3 

Order  United  American  Mechanics  10 

2.  Institution  and  Birthplace 14 

The  Original  Charter  14 

Relationship  Between  the  O.  U.  A.  M.  and  Jr.  O.  U.  A.  M 15 

Letter  of  Edw.  S.  Deemer  to  the  State  Council,  0.  U.  A.  M 20 

Birthplace 22 

Battle  of  Germantown 23 

Concord  Schoolhouse — Chew  House 25 

Washington  Council,  No.  1   26 

Letter  of  Past  National  Councilor  J.  W.  Calver 30 

"  A  Noteworthy  Event " 33 

3.  Name — Significance — Proposed  Changes 35 

Original  Purpose  of  the  Order 35 

Proposed  Changes  of  Name 37 

4.  Objects — Changes  of  Fifty  Years 47 

First  Objects   48 

Proposed  Changes  48 

Objects  of  the  Order   ( 1908) 57 

5.  The   Ritual 58 

The  Importance  of  a  Good  Ritual 58 

Changes  of  Ritual,  Ante- National  Council 59 

Ritual  Legislation  in  National  Council 60 

6.  National  Orphans'  Home 84 

Original  Resolution    84 

The  Report  of  the  Committee  on  Orphans'  Home 86 

The  Establishment  of  the  Home 89 

The  Location  of  the  Home 96 

Opening  of  the  Home 98 

The  Construction  of  the  Home  (Cottage  No.  1 ) 100 

How  Conducted  . 1°J 

Cottage  No.  2  ( Construction) 105 

The  Crisis  of  the  National  Orphans'  Home 107 

The  Jr.  O.  U.  A.  M.  National  Orphans'  Home  Ass'n,  Allegheny 

Co.,  Pa 1°8 

Heroism  of  the  Order HI 

Financial  Condition  of  the  Home 112 

Discipline  of  the  Home 115 

xi 


xii  CONTENTS 

PAQB 

7.  The  Conflict  at  the  Crossing  of  the  Centuries 121 

The  Beginnings  of  the  Conflict 121 

The  Beginning  of  Factionalism 125 

The  Revolt   127 

The  Era  of  Misrepresentation 130 

The  Parting  of  the  Ways  (Dist.  of  Columbia  in  Insubordination)  . .   134 

The  Suspension  of  the  State  Council  of  Pennsylvania 137 

The  Trial  of  the  State  Council  in  Pennsylvania 139 

Derry  Council   vs.   State  Council  of  Pennsylvania  and  National 

Council    141 

Decision  of  Judge  Weiss 147 

Session  of  the  National  Council  of  1900 148 

The  Secession  of  Pennsylvania 153 

The  Final  Parting  of  the  Ways 157 

Arbitration    Scorned 159 

The    Loyal    State    Council    of    Pa.    Sustained    by    the    National 

Judiciary    160 

Pennsylvania  Purged 162 

The  National  Council  Sustained  by  the  Supreme  Court 166 

The  State  Council  of  Pennsylvania  Sustained  in  the  Civil  Court. .  169 
Suits  of  State  Council  of  Pennsylvania  vs.  Duquesne  Council  and 

James  G.  Blaine  Council 177 

Wilmer  Crow  vs.  Capital  City  Council 181 

New  Jersey  Withdraws  from  the  National  Council 182 

The  State  Council  Charter  of  New  Jersey  Revoked 185 

The  Decision  of  the  Court  of  Chancery  of  New  Jersey 187 

The  State  Council  of  New  York  Insubordinate 189 

A  New  State  Council  of  New  York  Instituted 192 

Virginia  Leaves  the  National  Council 194 

Quo  Warranto  Proceedings  Against  Funeral  Benefit  Department. .  199 
Final  Results  of  Arbitration 201 


II.     HISTORY  OF  LEGISLATION 

1.  National   Legislation 206 

Concerning  Naturalization  and  Restrictive  Immigration 207 

Naturalization  Law  of  1906 208 

The    First   Movement   Toward    Immigration    Legislation    by    the 

Order    210 

The  National  Council  on  the  Subject  of  Immigration 211 

The  National  Legislative  Committee 213 

The  Stone  Immigration  Bill 216 

The  McCall-Corliss-Lodge  Immigration  Bill 219 

The  Lodge-Danford  Immigration  Measure 223 

The  Work  of  the  National  Legislative  Committee   (1897-1898)  ..   225 

Era  of  Inactivity  on  Subject  of  Immigration 229 

The  Shattuc-Penrose  Immigration  Bill 230 

House  Bill  No.  17,941  and  Senate  Bill  No.  4,403,  of  1905-1907 . .  232 

Miscellaneous  National  Legislation  Advocated 239 

Proposed  National  Education  Legislation 239 

The  Establishment  of  a  National  University  Suggested 240 


CONTENTS  xiii 

PAQB 

Amendments  to  the  National  Constitution 241 

Protest  Against  Church  Building  at  West  Point 242 

Flag  Legislation   242 

Legislation  against  Sectarian  Appropriations 243 

History  of  Indian  School  Appropriations 245 

2.  State  Legislation 248 

Wisconsin    248 

Colorado 250 

New  Jersey 251 

Ohio     252 

Kentucky    253 

Delaware     254 

Indiana   254 

Maryland    255 

3.  Special  Note  on  Pennsylvania  Legislation 256 

The  Riverside  School  Case 256 

The  Gallitzin  School  Garb  Case 257 

Decision  of  the  Lower  Court  against  the  Jr.  0.  U.  A.  M 259 

The  Decision  of  the  Supreme  Court 261 

The  Minority  Report  of  Judge  Williams 263 

The  Smith  Religious  Garb  Bill 265 

Farr's  Compulsory  Educational  Measure 271 

Other  Pennsylvania  Legislation 273 

The  Focht  Bill 274 

The  Alien  Tax  Bill 274 

Still   More  Pennsylvania  Legislation 275 

III.     HISTORY  OF  THE  NATIONAL  COUNCIL 

1.  Sessions  of  the  National  Council 280 

Institution  of  the  National  Council  at  Philadelphia 281 

Wilmington,    Delaware,    1870 283 

Camden,  New  Jersey,  1871 283 

Baltimore,  Maryland,    1872 285 

Wilmington,  Delaware,  1873 286 

New  York  City,  1874 288 

Boston,  Massachusetts,   1875 289 

Philadelphia,  Pennsylvania,  1876 291 

Dayton,  Ohio,    1877 293 

Baltimore,   Maryland,    1878 294 

New  Brunswick,  New  Jersey,  1 879 297 

Richmond,   Virginia,    1880 300 

Haverhill,  Massachusetts,  1881 301 

New  York  City,  New  York,  1882 303 

Philadelphia,  Pennsylvania,  1883 306 

Georgetown,  District  of  Columbia,  1884 307 

Harrisburg,  Pennsylvania,   1885 308 

Richmond,   Virginia,    1886 309 

Baltimore,  Maryland,  1887 310 

New  York  City,  New  York,  1888 312 

Haverhill,  Massachusetts,  1889 314 


xiv  CONTENTS 

PAGE 

Chicago,    Illinois,    1890. ." 317 

Cleveland,  Ohio,   1891 319 

Atlantic  City,  New  Jersey,  1892 322 

Detroit,  Michigan,   1893 325 

Asheville,  North  Carolina,  1894 330 

Omaha,  Nebraska,  1895 336 

Denver,  Colorado,  1896 340 

Pittsburg,  Pennsylvania,  1897 346 

Louisville,   Kentucky,    1898 351 

Minneapolis,  Minnesota,   1899 358 

Philadelphia,  Pennsylvania,   1900 364 

Buffalo,  New  York,  1901 372 

Milwaukee,   Wisconsin,    1902 376 

San  Francisco,  California,  1903 383 

St.  Louis,  Missouri,  1904 394 

Nashville,  Tennessee,  1905 400 

Boston,  Masaehusetts,  1907 404 


IV.    HISTORY  OF  STATE  COUNCILS 

1.  Synopsis  of  Proceedings  of  State  Councils 421 

Alabama    422 

Arkansas     425 

California    426 

Colorado   433 

Connecticut    436 

Delaware 438 

District  of  Columbia   453 

Florida 454 

Georgia    455 

Illinois     458 

Indiana   461 

Kansas    470 

Kentucky    471 

Maine    475 

Maryland     481 

Massachusetts    602 

Michigan  515 

Mississippi    516 

Missouri    517 

New  Hampshire    520 

New  York    522 

North  Carolina   532 

Ohio     545 

Oklahoma    (Indian   Territory) 583 

Oregon    590 

Pennsylvania    591 

Rhode  Island   637 

South  Carolina    642 

Tennessee    648 

Texas     •  652 


CONTENTS  xv 

PAGE 

Vermont    655 

Virginia    662 

Washington    664 

West  Virginia   672 

Wisconsin   679 

Where  State  Councils  Do  Not  Now  Exist 681 

Arizona    682 

Idaho     682 

Iowa     683 

Louisiana    684 

Minnesota   '. 685 

Montana    686 

Nevada 689 

New  Jersey 689 

New  Mexico  691 

South  Dakota 691 

Utah 692 

Wyoming 693 


V.     WHO  IS  WHO  IN  THE  ORDER 

Chas.  P.  Haupt 695 

John  W.   Calver 696 

Edward  S.  Deemer 698 

Henry  C.   Schaertzer 700 

W.  L.  S.  Gilcreast 702 

H.  L.  W.  Taylor 703 

Chas    Reimer 705 

Martin  M.  Woods 706 

Stephen    Collins 707 

Chas.    Lawrence 709 

J.  H.  Zimmerman 710 

Rev.  John  R.  Boblits 712 

Geo.  B.  Nesbitt 713 

Amos  L.  Cray 714 

D.  B.  McDonald 715 

A.  H.  Leslie 716 

Frank  W.  Pierson 717 

H.   E.   Howse 718 

W-  E.  Faison 719 

Robert    Ogle 720 

James    Cranston 721 

John  G.  A.  Richter 723 

Joseph  Powell 724 

Smith  W.  Bennett 726 

A.  D.  Wilkin 728 

Harry  S.  Barry 730 

Alex.  M.  DeHaven 730 

J.  L.  Cooper,  M.D 732 

Roger  J.  Armstrong 734 

Thomas  C.  Appleby 734 


CONTENTS 

PAGE 

E.  R.  Dillingham 735 

Geo.  A.  Gowan 736 

H.  L.  Wenner,  M.D 738 

Jesse  Taylor 739 

John  J.  Weitzel 741 

Rev.  James  G.  Miller 743 

John  W.  Paul 745 

Chas  H.  Kurtz 745 

John  0  Montayne 746 

G.   Howell  Arthur 746 

F.  A.  Buschman 747 

Herman  Paine 749 

Prof.  C.  W.  Reeves 750 

Robert  Franklin  Hamilton 750 

Arthur  W.  Barrus 751 

Sam  F.  Vance 752 

Clarence  B.  Johnson 753 

B.  Frank  Myers 754 

I.  V.  Robbins 755 

Cyrus  S.  Weiss 757 

State    Councilor   Jeffrey 758 

Arthur  E.  White 759 

Claud  J.  King '. .  760 

William  E.  Giddings 760 

Chas.  W.  Coffran 761 

Bion  F.  Humphrey 761 

Edward  F.  Starkey 762 

Charles  Edwin  Harris 763 

Erwin  M.  Massey 763 

E.   W.   Sellers 764 

Chas.  S.  Crall 765 

W.  S.  Schenck 766 

John  C.  Stewart 767 

Frank  M.  Cody 769 

Perry  A.  Shanor 769 

Herbert  Smith ■ 770 

George   R.    Bowley 771 

S.  H.  Miller 772 

William  M.  Thompson 772 

James  Needier 773 

James    Foust 774 

W.  A.  Pollard 775 

Dr.  William  H.  Painter 775 

George  W.  Arold 776 

J.  Frank  Sweet 777 

Carl  H.  Reeves 777 

J.  A.  Riehl 778 

L.  C.  Shannon '. 778 

E.   L.    S.   Bouton 779 

Rev.  R.  D.  Harding 780 

Brent   Shriver 781 

Charles   S.   Davis 781 


CONTENTS  xvii 

PAOB 

Frank   E.   Anderson 782 

J.   M.   Riddle 7s:i 

Elmer  E.  Freidline 784 

F.  E.  Canan 784 

H.    H.    Eddy 785 

M.  P.  Dickeson,  M.D : 786 

Geo.  S.  Ford 787 

Jno.    G.    Fry 788 

Robert   A.   Magill 78!) 

Z.   Taylor   Wobensmith 790 

S.  E.  Steventon 700 

Rev.  M.  D.  Lichliter 7!)1 

VI.     IN  MEMORIAM 

Gideon  D.  Harmar 794 

George  B.  Bowers 795 

J.  Adam  Sohl 796 

Fred   J.   Shaler 797 

Lerov  N.  Van  Horn 799 

A.  G.  Martin 800 

John  R.  Marlin 801 

Harry  Stites,  M.D 802 

Geo.  W.  Kreamer 803 

Frank  T.  Weckerly 804 

Chas.  W.  Geissel 804 

Eugene   H.   Hammann 804 

J.  F.  Koehnline 805 

S.  C.  Weadley 805 

Harry   A.    Keil 806 

John    P.    Winower 806 

Dr.  Martin  H.  Williams 807 

Wm.  R.  Stroh 807 

Lewis   H.   Vogt 807 

Harry   C.   Krausz 808 

C.  L.  Dusang 80S 

C.  C.  Cook 809 

H.  L.  Sparks 809 

J.  C.  Shearing 810 

S.  N.   Mullin 810 

George  E.  Coleman 811 

Abner  B.  Pyles 811 

W.   O.   Staples 811 

Melville  Thompson 812 

John  A.  Ehret 812 

J.    E.    McCarty 813 

William   W.  Hall 813 

A.   E.   Burkitt 813 

W.  A.   Gordon 813 

Robert  L.  Lindsay •  ■  •    814 

Geo.  M.  Louck 814 

Hazel   P.  Renzenbrink 815 


HISTORY 

OF    THE 

Junior  Order  United  American  Mechanics 


I.  GENERAL  HISTORY 


CHAPTER  I 
i.  INCEPTION  AND  ORIGIN 

GREAT  events  in  history  as  well  as  great  men,  can  be  traced 
to  small  beginnings.  The  gigantic  steam  power  of  the 
age  with  its  countless  activities  on  land  and  sea,  found  its  inceptive 
thought  in  the  brain  of  young  Watts,  which  was  stimulated  into 
action,  so  the  story  goes,  by  the  very  common  phenomenon  of  the 
movement  of  the  tea-kettle  lid  through  the  pressure  of  steam.  Le- 
gend though  it  may  be,  yet  it  illustrates  the  idea  advanced.  The 
falling  of  an  apple  from  a  tree  gave  to  the  mind  of  Newton  the 
idea  and  through  him  to  the  world  the  theory  of  gravitation.  It 
is  claimed  that  the  cutting  of  a  name  on  the  bark  of  a  tree  gave  to 
Gutenberg  the  idea  and  to  the  world  the  developed  thought  of  the 
mightiest  invention  of  all  the  ages.  When  the  young  monk  nailed 
the  ninety-five  theses  on  the  door  of  the  village  cathedral,  it  seemed 
a  trivial  thing,  yet  the  hammer-strokes  that  fastened  the  paper 
thereon  awakened  a  slumbering  world,  and  Martin  Luther  and  the 
Reformation  have  found  a  place  among  the  greatest  of  men  and 
mightiest  of  movements.  When  the  volley  at  Concord  Bridge  was 
fired  April  19,  1775,  a  volley,  that  is  said,  was  "  heard  the  world 
around,"  it  meant  more  than  the  beginning  of  a  long  struggle 
associated  with  suffering  and  privations  of  the  severest  character; 
it  meant  the  Declaration  of  Independence  and  the  founding  of  a 
Eepublic,  the  first  experiment  of  constitutional  government  the 
world  had  ever  seen. 

If  it  is  true,  therefore,  that  the  "great  is  seen  in  the  small" 
as  Macauley  says,  it  is  equally  true  of  the  inceptive  thought  that 


2  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

brought  into  existence  the  Junior  Order  United  American  Mechan- 
ics, for  it  was  a  pistol  shot  that  stirred  the  American  heart  and  gave 
to  the  Kepublic  this  noble  patriotic  organization. 

There  stands  in  one  of  the  cemeteries  of  Philadelphia  a 
monument,  blackened  and  worn  by  the  hand  of  Time.  Upon  the 
side  is  sculptured  the  representation  of  a  young  man,  reeling,  as 
if  struck  down  by  the  hand  of  a  foe,  while  about  his  body  are  en- 
twined the  folds  of  the  American  flag.  To  the  observer  there 
comes  the  thought  of  a  soldier  and  a  soldier's  tomb;  but  on 
approaching  the  monumental  stone,  he  will  read  the  following 
inscription : 

PHILADELPHIA,  1844 
GEORGE    SHIFFLER 

SHOT  DOWN  BY  THE  HAND  OF  A  FOEEIGN  ASSASSIN  AT  A  MEETING  OF 
CITIZENS    HELD    IN    DEFENSE    OF    THE    BIBLE 
IN   THE  PUBLIC   SCHOOLS. 

The  reading  of  the  epitaph  brings  to  mind  the  story  of  the 
Philadelphia  riots  of  1844. 

NATIVE  AMERICANS 

For  years  prior  to  1837,  there  existed  much  feeling,  politically, 
against  certain  classes  of  adopted  citizens,  and  it  was  suspected  that 
those  in  authority  in  city,  State  and  nation  were  endeavoring  to 
make  the  subject  of  political  rewards  one  of  nationality  rather  than 
of  merit.  This  feeling  was  intensified  on  the  part  of  native  born  citi- 
zens by  the  action  of  Eoman  Catholics  claiming  certain  privileges 
from  the  public  schools,  especially  that  the  reading  of  the  Bible,  ac- 
cording to  King  James'  version,  be  not  permitted  in  the  schoolroom. 
This  attitude  of  the  Eoman  Catholic  church  and  the  prominence 
of  naturalized  foreigners  in  politics,  gave  rise  to  the  Native  Ameri- 
can Association,  the  first  meeting  of  which  was  held  at  Germantown, 
in  1837,  which  resulted  in  the  adoption  of  a  Preamble  and  Consti- 
tution at  a  subsequent  meeting,  in  which  was  the  following 
paragraph : 

"  While  at  the  same  time  we  invite  the  stranger,  worn  down  by 
oppression  at  home,  to  come  and  share  with  us  the  blessings  of  our  native 
land,  here  find  an  asylum  for  his  distress,  and  partake  of  the  plenty  a 
kind  Providence  has  so  bountifully  given  us,  we  deny  his  right  (any  for- 
eigner who  may  hereafter  arrive  in  our  country)  to  have  voice  in  legislative 
halls,  his  eligibility  to  office  under  any  circumstances,  and  we  ask  a  repeal 
of  that  naturalization  law,  which  it  must  be  apparent  to  every  reflecting 
mind,  to  every  son  of  America,  has  now  become  an  evil." 


UNITED  AMERICAN   MECHANICS  3 

The  Native  American  Association  thus  formed  received  but 
little  support  and  made  slow  progress  until  1843,  when  Associations 
were  formed  in  various  wards  of  Philadelphia,  and  grew  so  rapidly 
that  by  the  early  part  of  1844,  Associations  had  been  organized 
in  nearly  every  section  of  the  city.  The  drastic  doctrines  adopted 
in  1837,  that  foreigners  should  not  be  allowed  suffrage  no  matter 
how  long  they  remained,  was  modified  in  1844,  at  which  time  the 
following  code  of  Principles  were  adopted : 

"  First.  We  maintain  that  the  naturalization  laws  should  be  so 
altered  as  to  require  of  all  foreigners  who  may  hereafter  arrive  in  this 
country,  a  residence  of  twenty-one  years  before  granting  them  the  privilege 
of  elective  franchise;  but  at  the  same  time  we  distinctly  declare  that  it 
is  not  our  intention  to  interfere  with  the  vested  rights  of  any  citizen, 
or  lay  any  obstruction  in  the  way  of  foreigners  obtaining  a  livelihood,  or 
acquiring  property  in  this  country;  but  on  the  contrary,  we  would  grant 
them  the  right  to  purchase,  hold,  and  transfer  property,  and  to  enjoy  and 
participate  in  all  the  benefits  of  our  country  (except  that  of  voting  or 
holding  office)   as  soon  as  they  declare  their  intention  to  become  citizens. 

"  Second.  We  maintain  that  the  Bible,  without  note  or  comment,  is 
not  sectarian;  that  it  is  the  fountain-head  of  morality  and  all  good  gov- 
ernment, and  should  be  used  in  our  public  schools  as  a  reading  book. 

"  Third.  We  are  opposed  to  union  of  Church  and  State  in  any  and 
every  form. 

"Fourth.  We  hold  that  Native  Americans  only  should  be  appointed 
to  office  and  to  legislate,  administer  and  execute  the  laws  of  the  country." 

THE   PHILADELPHIA   RIOTS    OF    1844 

On  May  3,  1844,  a  meeting  was  being  held  in  an  open  lot  in 
what  was  then  known  as  Kensington,  now  a  part  of  Philadelphia, 
and  was  attended  by  300  or  more  persons,  the  object  of  which  was 
to  organize  an  Association  of  Native  Americans.  While  a  speaker 
was  addressing  the  assemblage,  a  mob  of  foreigners,  mostly  Irish, 
made  an  attack  on  the  meeting,  using  clubs  and  stones,  dispersing 
the  crowd,  whereupon  they  demolished  the  platform  on  which  the 
speakers  had  stood.  The  people  connected  with  the  meeting,  how- 
ever, rallied  and  repaired  to  a  place  nearby,  and  after  passing  reso- 
lutions condemnatory  of  the  outrage  perpetrated  upon  them,  ad- 
journed to  meet  at  the  same  place  from  which  they  had  been  driven, 
on  Monday,  May  6,  in  the  afternoon.  On  the  day  named  a  fair 
sized  audience  gathered  and  the  proceedings  were  unmolested  for 
half  an  hour.  At  this  juncture  an  Irishman,  by  name  of  John 
O'Neill,  drove  a  cart  filled  with  dirt  into  the  open  lot  where  the 
meeting  was  being  held  and  dumped  its  contents  in  the  midst  of 
the  gathering.  This  caused  great  indignation ;  but  the  meeting 
proceeded  until  the  audience  were  driven  to  shelter  by  a  rain-storm. 


4  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

Having  sought  refuge  in  what  was  known  as  "  Nanny  Goat  Market," 
the  proceedings  preparatory  to  forming  an  Association  of  Native 
Americans,  were  continued.  After  the  storm  had  abated  and  on 
returning  to  the  open  lot  the  foreigners,  having  increased  in  num- 
bers, again  began  to  annoy  the  assemblage,  which  resulted  in  a 
fierce  quarrel,  whereupon  a  pistol  was  fired  into  the  crowd  by  some 
one  in  the  attacking  party.  Opposite  the  place  where  the  meeting 
was  being  held  stood  the  building  of  the  "  Hibernia  Hose  Co.",  and 
immediately  following  the  firing  of  the  shot,  which  must  have  been 
a  signal,  a  gun  was  fired  from  the  hose  house,  and  other  shots  were 
fired  from  adjoining  buildings.  The  riot  now  became  a  real  battle. 
Some  of  the  adherents  of  the  Native  Americans  procured  guns  and 
returned  the  fire,  and,  following  Indian  tactics,  shot  from  ambush. 

It  was  during  this  combat  that  George  Shiftier,  a  lad  of  eigh- 
teen years,  was  mortally  wounded  and  died  soon  after.  It  was 
claimed  at  the  time,  by  members  of  the  Native  American  Asso- 
ciation, that  young  Shiftier,  when  shot,  was  defending  the  American 
flag  from  an  Irishman  who  was  trying  to  carry  it  away.  That 
this  fact  is  presumably  true  seems  apparent,  from  the  position  of 
the  represented  form  on  Shiffler's  monument,  as  above  referred  to. 
The  death  of  Shiffler  made  him  a  hero  with  the  Native  American 
Party.  The  scene  that  brought  about  his  death  was  painted  on 
their  banners  and  carried  in  their  processions  as  a  reminder  of 
foreign  interference  with  free  speech  and  the  public  schools.  A 
hose  company  was  formed  and  named  for  him  and  continued  doing 
service  until  the  Volunteer  Fire  Company  was  superceded  by  the 
paid  fire  company  in  1871. 

During  the  riot,  eleven  others  were  wounded,  all  Americans, 
but  everyone  recovered.  This  was  the  beginning  of  what  is  com- 
monly known  as  "  The  Philadelphia  Riots  of  1844."  The  excite- 
ment became  intense  and  hand-bills  were  posted  calling  for  a  meet- 
ing of  the  citizens  the  next  afternoon  in  the  State  House  yard, 
having  at  the  bottom  of  the  posters  the  significant  sentence : 

"Let  Every  Man  Come  Prepared  to  Defend  Himself" 

The  meeting  was  a  large  one  as  well  as  tumultuous.  Several 
short  addresses  were  made  and  the  following  resolutions  were 
adopted : 

"Resolved,  That  the  proceedings  of  the  Irish  inhabitants  of  the 
district  of  Kensington  on  Monday  afternoon  is  the  surest  evidence  that 
can  be  given,  that  our  views  on  the  naturalization  laws  are  correct,  and 
that  foreigners  in  the  short  space  of  five  years  are  incapable  of  entering 
into  the  spirit  of  our  institutions. 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  5 

•■  Resolved,  That  we  consider  the  r>ilil<>  in  the  public  schools  as  neces- 
sary for  a  faithful  course  of  instruction  therein,  and  we  arc  determined 
to  maintain  it  there  in  spite  of  the  efforts  of  naturalized  and  unnaturalized 
foreigners  to  eject  it  therefrom. 

"Resolved,  That  this  meeting  believes  that  the  recently  successful 
efforts  of  the  friends  of  the  Bible  in  Kensington  was  t  he  exciting  cause 
which  resulted  in  the  murderous  scenes  of  the  6th  inst." 

After  the  passage  of  the  above  resolutions,  a  motion  was  made 
that  the  meeting  adjourn  to  meet  in  Kensington  on  the  following 
Thursday,  which  was  lost.  Another  motion  to  meet  next  day  met 
the  same  fate.  A  motion  was  made  to  meet  at  once  at  the  scene  of 
the  previous  day's  conflict.  This  carried  and  an  irregular  proces- 
sion was  formed  and  moved  to  the  spot  where  Shiftier  fell.  While 
the  meeting  was  going  on,  a  volley  of  musketry  was  fired  into  the 
crowd  from  the  Hibernia  Hose  House.  Notwithstanding  the 
posters  and  papers  had  suggested  to  the  citizens  to  turn  out  at  the 
afternoon  meeting  fully  armed,  not  a  single  weapon  was  carried 
by  the  native  born  citizens.  This  battle  proved  more  bloody  than 
the  one  the  day  previous,  as  John  Wesley  Rhinedollar,  Louis  Greble, 
Charles  Stillwell  and  Matthew  Hammett  were  shot  dead  on  the  spot, 
while  John  Lescher  and  Joseph  Coxe  were  mortally  wounded  and 
subsequently  died,  and  several  were  more  or  less  injured.  Exas- 
perated and  being  unarmed,  the  citizens  set  fire  to  the  Hose  House, 
which  was  consumed  and  about  thirty  other  buildings  were  swept 
with  the  flames,  including  the  "Nanny  Goat  Market/' 

By  this  time  the  blood  of  the  Philadelphians  was  "  boiling  " 
and  the  spirit  of  radical  as  well  as  sectarian  hatred  seized  the  less 
law  abiding  who,  with  the  blood  of  their  fellow-citizens  crying  unto 
them  from  the  ground  for  vengeance,  sought  out  the  dwellings  where 
it  was  supposed  the  foreign  element  lived  and  set  them  on  fire.  So 
great  was  the  danger  of  indiscriminate  burnings,  that  native  born 
citizens  displayed  American  flags  from  their  windows  to  indicate 
that  they  were  not  foreigners.  The  hatred  towards  Roman  Catho- 
lics became  more  intense  as  the  crowd  increased,  and  it  was  not 
long  until  the  Roman  Catholic  church,  St.  Michael's,  was  set  on  fire, 
and  with  other  Catholic  buildings,  all  were  consumed  by  the  relent- 
less flames. 

The  two  military  companies  thai  had  been  called  out  were 
powerless  to  stem  the  tide  of  riot  and  ruin,  whereupon  Generals 
George  Cadwalader  and  Robert  Patterson,  at  the  head  of  the  First 
Brigade  of  Militia,  reached  the  scene  of  carnage  and  intimidated  the 
rioters  at  one  point,  but  other  parts  of  the  city  being  left  unguarded, 
the  work  of  destruction  went  on  and  St.  Augustine's  Roman  Catho- 


6  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

lie  church  and  other  adjoining  Catholic  buildings  were  burned  to 
the  ground. 

The  presence  of  the  military  and  the  efforts  of  the  city  authori- 
ties brought  a  cessation  of  retaliatory  measures  emanating  from 
the  Native  Americans,  and  in  a  few  days  all  further  danger  seemed 
passed.  While,  however,  the  riotous  proceedings  were  put  down, 
still  the  feeling  that  stirred  the  entire  city  was  most  bitter.  A 
manifesto  was  drawn  up  by  a  number  of  citizens  and  presented  to 
the  Governor  of  the  State,  thanking  him,  the  military  and  the  city 
authorities  for  the  measures  used  to  suppress  the'  disturbance. 
This  communication  reflected  somewhat  upon  the  Native  American 
Party  and  intensified  the  bitter  feeling  existing ;  while  at  the  same 
time  the  Grand  Jury,  in  their  presentment,  favored  the  Native 
Americans;  hence  there  was  crimination  and  recrimination  by  the 
enemies  and  friends  of  the  Roman  Catholics  who  were  blamed  as 
being  the  immediate  cause  of  the  riots  and  bloodshed. 

It  is  not  a  surprise,  therefore,  that  the  Native  American  Party, 
which  up  to  this  time  attracted  but  little  of  public  attention,  should 
leap  into  prominence,  while  thousands  united  with  the  organization, 
attracted  by  its  motto :  "  America  for  Americans." 

There  were,  however,  two  classes  of  citizens  that  united  with 
the  Native  American  Association :  Those  who  were  prompted  by 
sectarian  prejudice,  and  those  who  were  not.  Sometime  after  the 
excitement  of  the  May  riots  had  passed,  these  two  elements  of  the 
Native  Americans  disagreed  and  separated,  the  former  party  being 
called  by  the  slang  term,  "  Mountain  Sweets."  However,  to  such 
an  extent  did  the  enthusiasm  rise  after  the  riots,  that  the  Native 
American  Party  resolved  on  celebrating  the  Fourth  of  July  of 
same  }rear  with  a  monster  demonstration.  The  Associations  entered 
into  the  project  with  great  zest,  and  it  is  claimed  that  never  in  the 
former  history  of  Philadelphia  and  not  until  1884  was  there  ever 
seen  in  the  city  such  a  party  procession. 

But  the  end  of  the  tragic  story  had  not  yet  been  reached. 
Other  events,  like  the  Independence  Day  procession  and  demonstra- 
tion, followed  to  be  reminders  of  the  bloody  scenes  of  May  previous. 
Some  one  claimed  that  on  the  Nation's  natal  day,  while  the  Native 
Americans  were  parading  the  streets,  devotees  of  Eome  were  drill- 
ing with  arms  in  one  of  their  churches  and  the  excited  throngs 
were  bent  on  finding  out  whether  the  rumor  was  true  or  not;  and 
on  entering  the  church,  a  supply  of  loaded  muskets,  axes,  pistols, 
powder,  etc.,  were  found.  Enraged  by  the  discovery,  the  people 
determined  on  burning  the  church,  but  the  military  and   civil 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  7 

authorities  interfered  and  saved  the  edifice.  But  the  spirit  of  riot 
had  not  been  extinguished;  only  subdued.  Crowds  thronged  the 
main  thoroughfares,  whereupon  the  sheriff  ordered  the  people  to 
disperse  to  their  homes.  This,  however,  proved  ineffectual  and 
some  in  the  crowd,  of  more  violent  spirit,  replied  tauntingly,  where- 
upon General  Cadwalader  ordered  the  artillery  company  to  open 
fire  on  the  mass  of  people.  As  the  field  piece  was  being  levelled, 
preparatory  to  obey  orders,  Mr.  Charles  Naylor,  a  lawyer  and  a 
former  member  of  Congress,  sprang  in  front  of  the  cannon's  mouth, 
exclaiming,  "  No,  don't  fire !  Don't  fire."  The  humane  impulse 
of  Naylor  saved  the  lives  of  many  innocent  people  who  were,  as 
in  all  throngs,  attracted  by  curiosity.  General  Cadwalader  ordered 
the  arrest  of  Naylor  who  was  placed  under  military  custody. 

Quiet  having  been  restored,  the  military,  with  the  exception 
of  the  "  Hibernia  Greens,"  a  company  made  up  of  Irish  and 
Catholics,  and  one  or  two  other  companies,  were  removed.  But  it 
was  a  short-sighted  blunder  on  the  part  of  the  military  authorities 
to  permit  an  alien  company  to  remain  on  guard  over  the  church 
property,  above  referred  to,  as  the  fury  of  the  populace  increased 
and  again  the  church  was  attacked.  Cool-headed  men,  however, 
arrested  the  flow  of  blood  and  subdued  the  anger  of  the  crowd,  by 
having  Mr.  Naylor  released  from  military  guard.  As  if  the  mili- 
tary authorities  courted  violence,  by  their  blundering  and  suicidal 
policy,  they  removed  all  the  military  from  the  church  except  the 
much-hated  "  Hibernia  Greens."  Their  remaining  on  guard  re- 
vived the  pent-up  indignation  of  the  people  and  again  the  rougher 
element  of  the  native  born  population  gathered  about  the  church. 
Acceding  to  the  better  element  of  citizens,  the  Irish  Catholic  Com- 
pany was  removed.  After  their  withdrawal  the  crowds  were  bent 
on  entering  the  church,  but  the  leaders  of  the  Native  American 
Party  plead  with  them  to  desist  declaring  that  they  (the  Native 
Americans)  were  in  charge  of  the  building.  The  people,  however, 
entered  the  church,  and  to  their  credit  and  heeding  the  sturdy  pro- 
test of  the  Native  Americans,  no  damage  to  property  was  done,  and 
after  satisfying  their  curiosity,  retired  quietly  to  their  homes.  This 
was  on  Sunday,  and  had  the  Committee  of  Native  Americans,  one 
hundred  in  number,  been  left  in  charge  of  the  church  property,  the 
story  of  the  Philadelphia  riots  of  1844  would  have  been  ended. 
It  was  the  old  story  of  the  military  intermeddling,  when  all  danger 
was  passed  and  quiet  restored. 

While  the  Committee  of  Native  Americans  were  stemming  the 
tide  at  the  church,  the  bell  on  Independence  Hall  was  rung,  calling 


8  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

out  the  military.  Having  formed  in  front  of  Independence  Hall, 
the  military  companies  marched  to  the  church  and  demanded  the 
custody  of  the  building  from  the  Committee  of  Native  Americans. 
The  presence  of  the  military,  and  it  being  Sunday,  attracted  throngs 
of  people  who  followed  the  soldiers.  The  crowd  was  not  a  "  mob  " 
and  was  peaceable  and  orderly,  with  the  exception  of  here  and  there 
one  who  would  hurl  an  insult  at  the  military.  The  sequel  was  that 
a  collision  took  place  and  one  of  the  soldiers  was  hit  with  a  stone. 
The  command  to  fire  was  given,  whereupon  a  bloody  combat  ensued, 
and  many  on  both  sides  were  killed  and  wounded.  However,  the 
military  proved  the  stronger  force,  and  ere  the  morning  of  July  5, 
1844  came,  the  "  Eiots  of  1844  "  were  over. 

As  a  result  of  these  unfortunate  disturbances,  the  Native 
American  Party  became  a  strong  political  factor  in  the  campaign 
of  that  year,  having  elected  several  members  of  the  Legislature  and 
two  members  of  Congress.  In  every  campaign  they  figured  con- 
spicuously, especially  in  Philadelphia,  until  1848,  when  the  Party 
ceased  to  be  of  any  prominence  in  State  or  National  politics.  The 
split  in  the  party,  as  noted  elsewhere,  into  two  bodies,  viz. :  Pure 
Native  Americans,  and  "  Mountain  Sweets,"  or  Sectarian  Native 
Americans,  was  the  beginning  of  the  end  of  a  movement  that 
had  much  to  do  in  the  birth  of  the  Order  of  United  American 
Mechanics,  and  the  subsequent  organization  of  the  Junior  Order 
United  American  Mechanics. 

who  was  george  shiffler? 

But  a  passing  reference  has  been  made  to  this  young  man,  the 
first  victim  of  the  "  Philadelphia  Eiots."  More  than  twenty  years 
after  his  death  when  Edw.  S.  Deemer  was  State  Councilor  of  Penn- 
sylvania, Brother  John  D.  Goff  organized  a  Council  and  proposed 
to  name  it  George  Shiftier.  Brother  Deemer  informed  him  that 
<Shiffler  was  not  such  a  person  for  whom  to  name  a  Council. 
Brother  Goff  changed  his  mind  and  named  the  Council  Ellsworth. 
Twenty  more  years  passed  ere  the  subject  was  brought  to  the  atten- 
tion of  Brother  Deemer — this  time  by  an  article  in  The  Junior 
American  Mechanic  over  the  signature  of  "  Loquax,"  suggesting 
that  George  Shiftier  was  a  proper  person  to  name  a  Council  for, 
and  named  Evan  G.  Badger  and  Harry  Peterman  as  authority, 
they  being  members  of  what  was  known  as  Shiftier  Guards.  Badger 
claimed  that  he  had  no  knowledge  of  said  Shiftier  and  Peterman,  at 
Deemer's  request,  sought  information  concerning  his  character,  etc. 

The  result  of  the  search  for  information,  which  was  43  years 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  9 

after  the  death  of  Shiffler,  was  as  follows:  A  young  man  of  meager 
education,  whose  schoolhouse  was  the  Fire  Company's  headquar- 
ters, of  no  promise  of  marked  ability,  and  a  member  of  a  gang  of 
toughs  and  sluggers,  and  as  was  the  fashion  in  those  days,  to  con- 
gregate around  some  favorite  hose  house  to  help  inn  (ho  machine 
and  help  do  the  fighting. 

The  person  who  gave  the  above  information,  in  substance, 
learned  that  Shiftier  lived  at  the  time  of  his  death  in  the  vicinity 
of  Second  and  George  Streets;  that  his  mother  was  a  market 
woman,  his  father  being  dead ;  that  the  Shiftier  Hose  Company  was 
named  for  him  for  no  other  purpose  than  to  reprcscul  an  idea. 

From  one  who  was  there  at  the  time  of  Shiffler's  death,  after 
forty-three  years,  had  the  following  recollection: 

"  The  Native  American  meeting  at  which  the  said  Shiffler  was  killed, 
along  with  three  others,  was  held  in  the  center  of  a  large  un-American 
population,  and  it  was  held  with  the  expectation  that  there  would  be 
trouble.  The  platform  was  of  regulation  style  with  the  American  iiag 
tacked  all  around  it  to  hide  the  knot-holes  in  the  fourth-class  lumber. 
When  the  Papes  tried  to  level  the  platform,  the  flag  had  to  go  first.  Now 
right  up  front  was  a  gang  of  youngsters,  among  whom  was  George  Shinier, 
and  several  more  of  the  Hyenas  (name  applied  to  those  connected  with 
the  Independent  Hose  Co.)  to  protect  the  speakers  from  violence,  and 
ready  and  willing  enough  to  do  it,  and  other  crowds  of  like  sluggers. 
Now  when  the  fight  started  the  flag  was  torn  from  the  platform,  the  said 
George  Shiffler  got  the  flag,  and  they  say  tried  to  nail  it  fast  again,  and 
he  was  killed  with  it  in  his  possession.  Likewise  was  Khinedollar  and  two 
others,  but  the  other  three  had  no  flags,  and  why  should  not  they  live 
in  the  minds  of  Americans  as  well  as  he.  It  is  all  bosh  about  his  having 
any  more  love  of  country,  but  his  love  of  a  free  fight  was  what  took  him 
there  and  he  being  killed  with  an  American  flag  in  his  possession  did  not 
make  him  a  better  man  than  his  previous  life  shows  him  to  have  been." 

One  of  the  "Hyenas,"  forty-three  years  after,  has  this  to  say: 

"  George  Shiffler  was  a  blacksmith's  apprentice  and  like  a  great  many 
of  us  in  those  days,  worked  when  we  felt  like  it,  and  if  there  was  any 
likelihood  of  there  being  a  run  or  a  fight,  there  was  no  work,  and  tliere 
was  quite  a  few7,  I  can  tell  you,  but  I  do  not  think  that  it  would  help 
any  Order  or  organization  to  commemorate  his  memory  outside  of  a  Fire 
Company  or  single  association." 

In  view  of  the  reputation  of  the  said  Shiffler,  Brother  Deemer's 
suggestion  prevented  a  Council  in  Pittsburg  being  named  for  him, 
the  originators  calling  it  General  Marion.  Again  in  same  year 
(1887)  some  members  of  Washington  Council,  No.  1,  organized  a 
Council  and  thought  of  naming  it  for  Shiffler,  but  on  ascertaining 
the  facts,  as  above  stated,  they  changed  their  minds  and  called  it 


10  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

Winona.  It  is  claimed  that  the  organizer  of  Gen.  George  G.  Meade 
Council,  No.  50,  had  thought  of  naming  it  for  Shiftier,  but  gave 
it  the  present  honorable  name  instead.  Lancaster,  Pennsylvania, 
however,  organized  a  Council  and  named  it  Geo.  Shiftier  Council, 
No.  177,  which  is  still  a  strong  Council  and  is  composed  of  some 
of  the  representative  citizens  of  the  city,  showing  that  the  name 
has  not  been  deleterious  to  its  success  and  standing.  A  somewhat 
acrimonious  correspondence  relative  to  the  naming  of  this  Council, 
between  Secretary  Deemer  and  some  applicants  for  the  new  Council, 
was  published  in  the  proceedings  of  the  State  Council  of  Pennsyl- 
vania. Information  gathered  by  Past  National  Councilor  Calver, 
Past  State  Councilor  G.  Howell  Arthur  and  Geo.  H.  Harris,  at 
the  time  of  the  controversy,  brought  out  the  corroboration  of  the 
fact  that  George  Shiftier  was  a  rough-and-ready  kind  of  a  fellow, 
open  for  a  free-for-all  fight  when  opportunity  presented  itself. 

However,  the  manner  of  his  being  taken  off  and  the  circum- 
stances surrounding  the  whole  unhappy  affair,  and  he  being  the 
first  to  fall,  naturally  "  covered  a  multitude  of  sins  "  in  the  eyes 
of  the  Native  American  Party.  George  Shiftier  may  be  all  that  is 
claimed  he  was,  no  uncommon  thing  in  those  days,  a  "slugger," 
yet  he  may  have  been  as  patriotic  and  loved  the  flag  of  his  country 
as  much  as  any  member  of  the  Native  American  Association  who 
attended  that  meeting;  and  it  may  also  be  true  that  he  was  there, 
moved  by  the  same  patriotic  impulses  that  lead  others  to  assemble 
at  the  place  where  the  fatal  shooting  occurred.  Whatever  lie  was 
or  was  not,  one  thing  is  sure,  he  was  considered  as  representing  an 
idea  and  a  -principle  when  he  fell,  as  the  result  of  an  alien  bullet. 

ORDER    UNITED    AMERICAN    MECHANICS 

If  it  is  true  that  we  can  trace  the  inceptive  spirit  that  finally 
gave  rise  to  the  Junior  Order  United  American  Mechanics,  to  the 
foul  blow  of  an  alien  that  struck  to  the  ground  George  Shiftier,  it 
is  equally  true  that  the  origin,  as  an  organization,  can  be  traced 
indirectly  to  the  Order  United  American  Mechanics,  commonly 
known  as  the  "  Senior  Order,"  to  distinguish  it  from  the  "  Junior 
Order."  To  what  extent  the  Senior  Order,  as  an  organization,  is 
to  be  credited  with  the  founding  of  the  Junior  Order  will  be  dis- 
cussed in  another  chapter;  still  the  fact  cannot  be  gainsaid,  that 
certain  members  of  the  0.  U.  A.  M.  had  some  part  in  the  formative 
history  of  the  Jr.  0.  U.  A.  M.  It  is,  therefore,  befitting  that  we 
embody  in  these  annals  of  our  Order  some  historical  data  pertain- 
ing to  the  older  organization. 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  11 

With  this  end  in  view,  the  writer,  in  a  letter,  asked  Brother 
John  Servor,  N.  C.  Secretary,  0.  U.  A.  M.,  to  kindly  furnish  books, 
facts  and  data  in  his  possession  relating  to  the  early  history  of  the 
Senior  Order.  Although  the  request  was  accompanied  by  postage, 
and  with  the  assurance  that  all  expenses,  if  any  there  be,  would  be 
met,  it  is  with  regret  that  we  are  compelled  to  state,  that  even  the 
courtesy  of  an  acknowledgment  to  the  communication  was  not  re- 
ceived. Fortunately,  we  found  in  Brother  H.  0.  Holstein,  S.  C. 
Secretary  of  Pennsylvania,  a  most  courteous  gentleman,  who  kindly 
offered  his  services  and  time  to  "cull"  from  the  records  of  his 
organization  such  facts  that  would  be  of  interest.  This,  however, 
the  writer  would  not  permit  him  to  do,  and  from  two  ponderous 
"  Minute  Books,"  which  Brother  Holstein  placed  in  our  possession, 
we  spent  many  pleasant  hours  recounting  the  story  of  the  struggles, 
successes  and  work  of  an  organization  teaching  the  same  sublime 
Principles,  and  as  noble  and  patriotic  as  our  own. 

FIRST    MEETING 

The  Minutes  of  the  first  meeting,  that  brought  into  existence 
the  0.  U.  A.  M.,  are  given  in  full : 

"  Philadelphia,  July  8th,  1845. 

"  At  a  meeting  of  Mechanics  held  this  evening  at  the  Jefferson 
Temperance  Hall,  Mr.  Luther  Chapin  was  called  to  the  Chair.  On  motion, 
Mr.  Richard  G.  Howell  was  appointed  Secretary. 

"  The  object  of  the  meeting  was  stated  by  the  President  to  be  for 
the  formation  of  a  Secret  Society  for  the  protection  of  American  Mechanics. 
The  subject  was  then  laid  open  for  discussion,  when,  on  motion,  Resolved, 
That  a  committee  of  one  or  more  from  each  Trade  be  appointed  for  the 
purpose  of  drafting  Resolutions  expressive  of  the  sense  of  the  meeting, 
whereupon,  the  following  named  Gentlemen  were  appointed  to  constitute 
said  Committee: 

Tucker — Carpenter,  Smulling — Shipsmith, 

Briggs— Gunsmith,  Lane — Blacksmith, 

White — Cedar  Cooper." 

At  an  adjourned  meeting,  one  week  later,  July  15,  the  above 
Committee  submitted  the  following  objects,  which  were  adopts  I : 

"  That  we  form  a  Society  to  be  called  the  American  Mechanics 
Union,  whose  objects  shall  be: 

1.  To  assist  each  other  in  obtaining  employment. 

2.  To   assist   each   other   in   business   by   patronizing   each    other    in 

preference  to  foreigners. 

3.  To   assist   the   unfortunate   in   obtaining   employment    suitable   to 

their  afflictions. 


12  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

4.  To  establish  a  cemetery  for  deceased  members  of  the  Society. 
.">.  To  establish  a  funeral  fund. 

6.  For  the   establishment  of   a   fund   for   the   relief   of   widows  and 
orphans  of  deceased  members." 

From  the  above  Objects,  it  is  apparent  that  the  first  inception 
of  the  Society  was  for  the  protection  of  mechanics  and  workingmen 
alone,  and  for  a  time  none  but  operative  mechanics  and  workingmen 
were  admitted  to  its  membership;  but  the  great  principles  involved 
in  its  existence  caused  a  departure  from  that  plan,  and  the  Order 
has  for  years  existed  and  exists  to-day,  as  an  Order  of  speculative 
mechanics  recognizing  everyone  possessed  of  birth  requirements, 
whether  they  work  with  hand  or  brain. 

At  a  subsequent  meeting  the  title  of  the  Society  was  adopted 
as  follows : 

"  Resolved,  That  the  title  of  the  Society  be  known  as  the  association 
of  United  American  Mechanics  of  the  United  States." 

The  officers  consisted  of  President,  Vice-President,  Eecording 
Secretary,  Assistant  Secretary,  Treasurer,  Inside  Guard,  Outside 
Guard,  and  Corresponding  Secretary.  A  few  weeks  subsequently 
the  titles  of  the  first  two  officers  were  changed  to  Councilor  and 
Vice- Councilor,  and  the  term  "  Association  "  to  "  Council."  The 
first  President  or  Councilor  was  Ethan  G.  Briggs. 

The  name  of  the  first  Council  was  Experiment  Council,  No.  1. 
Enterprise  Council,  No.  2,  and  Perseverance  Council,  No.  3,  soon 
followed,  whereupon,  oh  November  13,  1S45,  nine  delegates,  three 
from  each  Council,  met  at  the  house  of  John  S.  Sansom  for  the 
purpose  of  forming  a  State  Council.  After  adopting  the  same 
Constitution  that  governed  the  Subordinate  Councils  and  drawing 
lots  as  to  the  respective  terms  of  the  Eepresentatives  to  the  State 
Council,  the  State  Council,  0.  TJ.  A.  M.,  of  Pennsylvania,  was  duly 
constituted,  and  William  Sharpless  was  elected  President.  Sub- 
sequently the  term  President  and  Vice-President  were  changed  to 
harmonize  with  the  terms  in  the  Subordinate  Councils,  Councilor 
and  Vice-Councilor.  The  offices  of  Conductor  and  Warden  were 
created  in  the  first  year  of  the  Order's  history.  Within  nine  months 
after  the  institution  of  Experiment  Council,  five  other  Councils 
were  instituted,  viz. :  Enterprise,  No.  ,2,  Perseverance,  No.  3,  Re- 
liance, No.  4,  Washington,  No.  5,  and  Pennsylvania,  No.  6. 

(An  unfortunate  break  occurs  here  in  the  Minutes  for  three 
years;  in  the  meantime  the  National  Council  had  been  instituted 
and  the  State  Council  had  increased  largely,  there  having  been 
more  than  ninety  Councils  organized  in  various  parts  of  the  state. 


UNITED  AMERICAN   MECHANICS  IS 

The  terms  "Conductor"  and  "Warden"  m  the  State   Body  bad 
been  changed  to  "Inductor"  and  "  Protector."     Ivlitor.) 

It  is  not  the  purpose  here  I"  recite  the  history  of  the 
0.  U.  A.  M.,  only  to  refer  to  its  beginnings  as  an  Order.  Suffice 
it  to  say,  that  a  perusal  of  the  very  carefully  recorded  Minutes 
showed  that  in  the  early  years  of  the  State  Council,  that  body  had 
its  troubles  and  vicissitudes,  in  dealing  with  insubordinate  Councils 
and  insubordinate  members.  In  the  '50s  there  was  some  sectional 
prejudice  aroused  over  the  preponderance  of  Councils  in  Philadel 
phia,  and  in  1851  a  circular  was  sent  out  by  a  joint  Committee  of 
two  country  Councils  asking  for  a  meeting  to  take  into  consideration 
the  practicability  of  petitioning  the  National  Council  for  a  separate 
State  Council  to  be  known  as  the  "  State  Council  of  Middle  Penn- 
sylvania," and  making  Philadelphia  the  "  State  Council  of  Phila- 
delphia." The  charges  made  by  the  country  Councils  were,  that 
there  was  an  unequal  division  of  the  Widow's  and  Orphan's  fund, 
claiming  that  Philadelphia  paid  two  dollars  to  the  relief  of  the 
brothers'  widows  to  one  dollar  paid  to  relief  of  country  widows. 
The  project,  however,  came  to  naught,  although  a  number  of  Coun- 
cils seceded. 

As  stated  elsewhere,  the  Order  was  composed  entirely  of  opera- 
tive mechanics  the  first  years  of  its  existence,  but  it  became  evident 
to  the  leaders  of  the  organization  that  its  purpose  should  be  of  a 
higher  nature  and  its  scope  broader,  hence,  at  the  session  of  the 
National  Council  held  in  1851,  the  constitution  was  so  changed 
that  professional  men,  those  who  worked  with  brain,  should  be 
eligible  to  membership,  if  they  met  the  requirements  of  birth,  etc. 
While  this  change  gave  pretty  general  satisfaction,  still  a  few  coun- 
cils vigorously  opposed  the  change.  One  Council  went  so  far  as 
to  send  a  protest  to  the  State  Council  of  Pennsylvania,  claiming 
that  the  Order  would  be  seriously  injured  by  opening  the  doors 
to  others  than  mechanics,  saying,  "  That  if  the  National  Council 
persists  in  enforcing  these  laws,  we  would  respectfully  solicit  the 
proper  officers  to  take  possession  of  our  charter,  as  we  do  not  feel 
willing,  as  republicans,  to  submit  to  laws  so  tyrannical." 

In  short,  the  0.  TJ.  A.  M.  is  a  Patriotic,  Social,  Fraternal  and 
Beneficial  Order,  believes  in  upholding  the  Public  Schools  and 
stands  flat-footed  on  the  immigration  question;  in  fact,  it  stands 
for  all  that  the  Jr.  0.  TJ.  A.  M.  teaches  and,  though  less  aggressive, 
it  promulgates  the  doctrines  of  true  Americanism.  At  tho  close 
of  the  year,  June  30,  1852,  the  Senior  Order  had  68  Councils  and 
4,233  members. 


CHAPTER  II 
2.   INSTITUTION  AND  BIRTHPLACE 

WE  now  turn  from  the  Inception  and  Origin  of  the  Order, 
to  its  institution  as  an  organization,  and  to  the  sacred 
surroundings  of  its  opening  life. 

So  intense  was  the  American  spirit  cherished,  that  at  the  close 
of  June  30,  1852,  as  referred  to  in  last  chapter,  the  0.  U.  A.  M. 
had  more  than  4,000  members.  The  Constitution,  by  action  of 
their  National  Council,  having  been  amended  so  as  to  admit  others 
than  mechanics,  many  were  impressed  with  the  great  possibilities 
that  were  presented  to  the  Order.  Seeing  this  and  deeply  interested 
in  the  promulgation  of  the  principles  of  the  organization,  two  mem- 
bers of  Reliance  Council,  No.  40,  viz. :  Gideon  D.  Harmar  and 
Elliott  Smith,  aided  by  Wm.  M.  Weckerly,  S.  C.  Secretary,  con- 
ceived the  idea  of  forming  an  organization  of  the  youth  from  the 
ages  of  16  to  21,  to  act  as  a  "  feeder "  for  Eelianee  Council  in 
particular  and  the  Order  in  general.  Acting  upon  their  own  im- 
pulse and  receiving  recognition  from  some  of  their  fellow-members, 
these  three  brothers  instituted  Washington  Council,  No.  1,  Junior 
Order  United  American  Mechanics,  in  due  form,  in  the  upper  room 
of  Concord  Schoolhouse,  Germantown,  now  a  part  of  Philadelphia, 
May  17,  1853. 

Upon  entering  the  hall  where  the  Council  holds  its  meetings, 
the  visitor  is  attracted  to  an  antique  frame  hanging  on  the  wall  con- 
taining a  yellow  parchment — the  Original  Charter  of  Washington 
Council,  No.  1,  and  attached  thereto  are  the  names  of  the  first 
Charter  members  of  the  first  Council  of  the  Order.  This  interest- 
ing relic  reads  as  follows : 

ORIGINAL    CHARTER 

TJonesty,  Industry  and  Sobriety — Washington  Council,  No.  1,  of  the 
Junior  Order  of  United  American  Mechanics,  State  of  Pennsylvania. 
Instituted  May  17th,  1853. 

We,  the  undersigned  youth,  Americans  by  birth,  have  viewed  the 
disadvantages  under  which  Americans  labor  from  the  effects  of  foreign 
combination  and  foreign  competition,  and  from  past  experiences  and  present 
appearances  of  the  future,  instead  of  the  evils  abating,  there  is  a  certainty 
of  their  increasing,  and  as  we  are  not  eligible  to  membership  in  the  Order 
of  United  American  Mechanics  until  we  arrive  at  the  age  of  21  years. 

14. 


UNITED  AMERICAN   MECHANICS  15 

therefore  form  ourselves  into  an  association  to  prepare  the  youth  of 
American  birth  for  membership  in  the  American  Orders  when  they  arrive 
at  the  proper  age,  to  which  is  added  the  praise-worthy  duty  of  aiding 
our  fellow-brothers  in  distress;  therefore,  for  the  purpose  of  advancing 
such  objects  and  carrying  out  such  principles  as  shall  best  promote  the 
interest  and  secure  the  happiness  of  ourselves  and  countrymen,  we  pledge 
hereby  ourselves,  as  Americans,  to  use  every  fair  and  honorable  means 
consistent  with  our  sacred  duties,  and  in  accordance  with  the  parental 
voice  of  the  Father  of  our  Country,  "  beware  of  foreign  influence." 

George  Keyser,  Isaiah  Duverse, 

Isaiah  B.  Scott,  Chas.  Waters, 

Henry  Smith,  Samuel  J.  Colli  day, 

Daniel  Pastorious,  John  P.  Heffner, 

Philip  H.  Kloneqar,  Chas.  P.  Haupt, 

Chas.  Kleaver,  Henry  Gravenstein. 

Of  the  above  list  of  charter  members,  but  one  remains  (1908), 
still  a  member  of  the  Mother  Council,  P.  N".  C.  Brother  Chas.  P. 
Haupt,  to  whom  the  honor  of  the  highest  office  in  the  Order  was 
given  by  action  of  the  National  Council.  That  there  were  a  larger 
number  than  those  on  the  Original  Charter  admitted  at  the  time 
the  Council  was  instituted,  is  presumably  true,  as  it  is  inferred 
from  Brother  Haupt's  "  Eecollections  "  in  Deemer's  History,  that 
the  Charter  was  not  granted  until  a  few  months  after  the  institution 
of  the  Council,  when  some  who  had  joined  had  dropped  out,  hence 
the  twelve  names  above  quoted  should  be  considered  as  constituting 
the  first  Council  of  the  Order. 

RELATIONSHIP    BETWEEN    THE    0.  U.  A.  M.    AND    THE    JR.  0.  U.  A.  M. 

The  question  arises,  "  What  part,  if  any,  had  the  0.  U.  A.  M., 
as  an  organization,  in  the  formation  and  founding  of  the  Jr.  0.  U. 
A.  M.  ?  For  years  the  writer,  when  engaged  in  delivering  addresses 
in  the  interest  of  the  Order,  was  very  careful  to  impress  upon  the 
members  of  the  organization  and  the  public  in  general,  that  the 
Jr.  0.  U.  A.  M.  was  the  child  of  the  O.U.A.  M.;  that  to  the  latter 
organization  it  owed  its  life  as  well  as  sustenance  and  strength 
in  the  formative  years  of  its  history.  Not  until  we  read  the  state- 
ments of  Brother  Deemer  in  his  History,  did  we  doubt  the  relia- 
bility of  our  own  statements  so  frequently  made.  No  one  in  the 
Order  is  as  capable  of  giving  a  true  version  of  the  disputed  fact 
as  Brother  Deemer.  Being  on  the  field  at  the  time  and  having 
early  connected  himself  with  both  organizations,  and  so  long  an 
officer  in  the  Junior  Order,  he  is  perfectly  competent  to  give  the 
exact  status  of  the  relationship  that  existed  between  the  two  Orders. 


16  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

Brother  Deemer,  after  giving  the  account  of  the  institution 
of  Washington  Council,  and  the  part  taken  in  its  organization  by 
the  three  brothers  above  named,  says : 

'•  While  we  have  shown  beyond  controversy  thai  the  O.  U.  A.  M.  did 
not  bring  us  into  being,  it  is  equally  true  that  the  first  resolve  and  first 
action  received  its  impulse  in  the  encouraging  words  of  Gideon  D.  Harmar 
and  Elliott  Smith,  of  Reliance  Council,  and  even  with  this  encouragement, 
it  is  possible  that  it  might  all  have  come  to  naught,  had  it  not  been 
that  Wm.  M.  Weckerly,  the  State  Council  Secretary  of  the  O.  U.  A.  M., 
came  to  their  assistance  and  prepared  for  them  the  Ritual,  Constitution 
and  By-Laws  for  their  government." 

Again,  Brother  Deemer  says : 

"  While  giving  due  credit  to  the  Senior  Order  for  the  assistance 
rendered,  the  fact  must  be  stated,  that  the  help  came  from  individuals, 
rather  than  from  the  Order  itself.  That  body  failed  to  appreciate  the 
spirit  of  Young  America,  and  the  Senior  who  ridiculed  the  '  boys,'  not 
only  provoked  their  indignation,  but  in  too  many  cases  the  entire  Order 
received  censure  and  its  members  were  given  little  credit  for  their 
assistance." 

Brother  Deemer  at  the  time  he  was  making  the  investigations 
relative  to  the  part  the  0.  U.  A.  M.  had  in  the  organization  of  the 
Junior  Order,  stated  that  he  had  made  diligent  efforts  to  ascertain 
the  facts,  and  quotes  the  following  from  a  letter  received  from 
former  State  Council  Secretary,  Wm.  M.  Weckerly,  under  date 
of  December  12,  1892 : 

"  Reliance  Council,  No.  40,  0.  U.  A.  M.,  had  no  hand  in  the  organiza- 
tion of  the  Order." 

This  statement  of  one  who  ought  to  know  is  corroborated  by 
the  Secretary  of  Beliance  Council,  No.  40,  who  informed  Brother 
Deemer  that  he  and  the  Secretary  of  Washington  Council,  No.  1, 
Jr.  0.  U.  A.  M.,  examined  the  records  of  Beliance  Council  at  the 
time  of  the  institution  of  Washington  Council,  No.  1,  and  failed 
to  find  any  reference  at  all  to  the  subject. 

But  some  one  may  say :  "  Your  statements  and  claims  as  to  the 
relationship  of  the  two  Orders  in  its  institution  is  largely  from  the 
Junior  standpoint.     What  say  the  records  of  the  0.  U.  A.  M.  ?  " 

With  the  end  in  view  of  getting  the  facts  from  both  sides,  as 
stated  before,  we  were  fortunate  in  getting  the  original  records  of 
the  0.  TJ.  A.  M.,  which  contained  the  Minutes  of  the  State  Council 
from  its  institution  up  to  1868,  recorded  in  two  large  volumes  by 
the  various  Secretaries  of  that  body.  It  was  with  a  keen  interest 
that  we  turned  to  the  Minutes  of  the  quarterly  and  special  meetings 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  17 

of  the  State  Body  in  the  years  1852  and  1853.  Wm.  M.  Weckerly, 
so  closely  associated  with  the  founding  of  the  Junior  Order  by  the 
institution  of  Washington  Council,  and  who  prepared  for  the  new 
organization  the  Ritual,  Constitution  and  By-laws,  was  the  State 
Council  Secretary  of  the  0.  U.  A.  M.  He  was  the  first  S.  C.  Secre- 
tary to  submit  to  the  State  Council  a  report  of  his  official  acts 
during  the  quarter,  at  the  same  time  giving  an  account  of  the  con- 
dition of  the  Order  in  the  state.  Believing  that  the  purpose  of 
forming  the  Junior  Order  would  have  been  brought  to  the  attention 
of  Brother  Weckerly,  in  fact,  we  are  assured  that  it  was,  it  was 
natural  to  suppose  that  in  his  report  to  the  State  Council  some 
statement  would  have  been  made  as  to  the  movement  contemplated. 
Impressed  with  this  conviction,  we  turned  to  the  Minutes  of  the 
quarterly  session  of  April,  1853,  but  found  no  reference  to  the 
subject  in  the  State  Secretary's  report.  Naturally  it  would  be 
supposed  that  at  the  next  quarterly  meeting,  which  was  the  annual 
meeting  of  the  State  Body,  that  reference  would  be  made  by  the 
Secretary  in  his  report  relative  to  the  institution  of  the  Junior 
Order,  on  May  17,  preceding,  which,  as  anticipated  by  its  founders, 
would  add  many  members  to  the  Senior  Order ;  but  not  a  word  is 
found  in,  the  carefulty  prepared  and  nicely  written  record  of  that 
session  concerning  this  interesting  event  in  which  he  had  taken 
so  prominent  a  part.  And  for  nearly  seven  years,  in  the  numerous 
sessions  of  the  State  Body,  the  S.  C.  Secretary  made  his  reports, 
and  also  as  National  Secretary  made  an  annual  report  of  that  body 
to  the  State  Council,  not  a  reference  as  to  the  existence  of  Wash- 
ington Council,  No.  1,  Jr.  0.  U.  A.  M.,  was  made  either  by  himself, 
the  Board  of  Officers  or  any  Representative,  as  far  as  the  records 
are  concerned. 

What  does  it  mean?  What  explanation  can  be  given  for  the 
silence  of  seven  long  years  on  the  subject?  The  only  conclusion 
we  can  arrive  at  is,  that  the  institution  of  Washington  Council, 
Jr.  0.  TL  A.  M.  did  not  meet  with  the  approbation  of  the  0.  U.  A.  M. 
as  a  body,  and  those  who  had  been  intimately  associated  with  its 
organization  were  familiar  with  this  feeling,  hence  did  not  press 
the  matter  to  the  attention  of  either  the  State  or  National  Council, 
for  fear  of  exciting  criticism  and  being  subjected  to  ridicule.  It 
is  certainly  clear  that  the  opinion  expressed  by  Brother  Deemer  and 
others  who  were  contemporary  with  the  times,  is  correct,  that  the 
0.  U.  A.  M.,  as  an  Order,  had  nothing  to  do  with  the  organization 
and  institution   of  Washington   Council,  No.    1,   Jr.  0.  IT.  A.  M.. 


18  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

neither  had  it  any  connection  with  the  new  organization  for  several 
years  subsequent. 

After  seven  years  of  rebellion  in  the  Order,  mutual  concessions 
were  made,  and  in  1859,  the  larger  number  of  the  insubordinate 
Councils  returned  to  the  State  and  National  bodies  of  the 
0.  U.  A.  M.,  whereupon  an  era  of  prosperity  dawned  on  the  organ- 
ization and  the  Order  became  more  aggressive.  To  such  an  extent 
did  the  Order  advance,  that  by  June  30,  1860,  there  were  80  Coun- 
cils and  9,310  members.  The  amount  in  the  treasuries  of  the  Coun- 
cils of  the  State  was  $69,777.14.  The  Widow's  and  Orphan's  Fund 
had  $5,227.46%.  The  State  Council  of  Pennsylvania  had  170 
widows  and  498  orphans  under  its  care.  We  do  not  have  the  stand- 
ing of  the  National  Body  at  that  time. 

THE    FIRST    RECORDED   ATTEMPT    AT    RECOGNITION    OF    THE    JUNIORS 
BY  THE  O.  U.  A.  M. 

It  was  about  this  time  that  the  O.  U.  A.  M.  of  Pennsylvania 
took  notice  of  the  Jr.  0.  TJ.  A.  M.  At  the  quarterly  meeting  of 
the  State  Council,  April  15,  1859,  the  following  resolution  was 
adopted : 

"Resolved,  That  a  committee  be  appointed  to  report  a  plan  by  which 
we  can  make  known  to  the  Mechanics  and  Workingmen,  who  are  not 
members  of  the  Order,  its  Objects  and  Principles,  and  engage  their 
cooperation  in  our  cause  by  becoming  members  of  the  Order." 

At  the  quarterly  session,  October  21,  same  year,  the  Committee 
submitted  its  report.  After  recounting  the  purpose  for  which  they 
had  been  appointed,  added: 

"  Your  Committee  beg  leave  to  state  they  have  examined  the  impor- 
tant subject  entrusted  to  their  charge,  and  after  due  deliberation  and  a 
free  interchange  of  sentiment,  present  the  following  with  a  favorable 
recommendation : 

"  1.  The  establishment  of  a  Junior  Order  of  the  United  American 
Mechanics. 

"  The  Committee  feel  satisfied  that  an  organization  of  young  men 
(say  from  the  ages  of  14  to  21  years),  may  be  established  under  the 
supervision  of  our  Order,  which  may  be  made  to  exercise  a  powerful 
influence  upon  the  morals  of  the  youth  of  this  community.  The  ritual, 
decorations  and  degrees  of  such  an  Order  should  be  so  arranged  as  to 
make  them  encourage  virtuous  habits  and  a  desire  for  improvement  in 
intelligence,  refinement  and  usefulness.     .     .     . 

"  We  can  imagine  no  movement  which  will  be  more  creditable  to  our 
Order,  nor  any  calculated  to  extend  its  popularity  and  influence  more 
than  the  establishment  of  such  a  Junior  Order,  if  it  be  properly  managed." 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  19 

The  report,  as  partly  given  above,  was,  on  motion,  received,  but 
no  action  thereon  was  taken.  The  State  Council,  it  is  evident ,  did 
not  see  the  force  of  the  Committee's  recommendation.  In  the 
meantime  seven  other  Junior  Councils  were  instituted  and  the 
State  Council  of  Pennsylvania  was  launched,  still  there  was  no  rec- 
ognition, officially,  of  the  new  organization  by  the  Seniors.  The 
next  mention  in  the  records  of  the  0.  U.  A.  M.  of  the  Jr.  0.  U.  A.  M. 
was  at  a  quarterly  session  of  the  State  Body,  held  in  October,  1860, 
when  a  request  of  Diligent  Council,  No  42,  was  read  asking  for  a 
dispensation  to  initiate  members  of  the  Jr.  0.  U.  A.  M.,  when  they 
arrive  at  the  age  of  21  years,  for  the  sum  of  $2.00.  In  the  consid- 
eration of  the  request,  a  motion  to  grant  the  same  was  ruled  out 
of  order,  and  the  Chair  was  sustained  in  an  appeal  taken  from 
his  decision. 

The  Junior  organization,  alone  and  unaided,  officially,  by  the 
older  Order,  struggled  on  amidst  the  great  depletion  of  its  rank- 
by  the  Civil  War  until  1862,  when,  at  a  session  of  their  State 
Council,  July  15,  the  faet  was  brought  to  the  attention  of  the 
Senior  State  Body.  At  this  session,  a  Memorial  from  Ellsworth 
Council,  No.  14,  Jr.  0.  IT.  A.  M.,  was  read  in  which  the  following 
propositions  were  presented : 

"Resolved,  That  the  Representatives  of  this  Council  he  authorized 
to  lay  before  the  State  Council  of  our  Order  the  following  propositions: 

"1.  That  the  State  Council  send  an  address  to  the  State  Council 
of  the  Senior  Order,  asking  them  to  recognize  us  officially  as  the 
Jr.  0.  U.  A.  M.  and  that  they  be  requested  to  alter  their  regulations  so  as 
to  admit  members  of  the  Junior  Order  in  their  Subordinate  Councils  for 
onedialf  the  initiation  fee;  provided,  however,  that  such  member  lias 
been  so  one  year. 

"2.  That  our  private  work  be  revised,  and  that  part  relating  t<> 
members  being  obliged  to  join  the  Senior  Order  be  omitted,  so  that  persons 
joining  our  organization  under  twenty-one  years  of  age  ran  remain  in 
our  Order  after  they  have  arrived  at  the  age  entitling  them  to  enter  the 
Senior  Order,  which  they  can  enter  at  their  pleasure." 

In  the  consideration  of  the  above  propositions,  the  second  one 
was  amended,  on  motion  of  Brother  Deemcr,  and  made  to  read: 

"That  if  the  Senior  Order  refuse  to  recognize  us,  the  whole  matter 
is  then  referred  to  the  Committee  of  Forms." 

The  proposition  was  so  referred. 

As  per  action  of  the  State  Council,  State  Council  Secretary 
Deemer  sent  the  above  proposition  (No.  1)  to  the  State  Council, 
0.  U.  A.M.,  under  date  of  July  16,  1862,  which  was  road  at  their 
State  meeting  July  18. 


20  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 


LETTER  OF  EDW.  S.  DEEMER  TO  THE  STATE  COUNCIL,  0.  U.  A.  M. 

Accompanying  the  proposition,  Brother  Deemer,  by  way  of 
stirring  up  the  remembrance  of  the  0.  TJ.  A.  M.,  expressed  himself 
at  length  upon  the  failure  of  the  Senior  Order  in  not  officially 
recognizing  the  Junior  Order.  The  communication  contains  so 
many  facts  of  interest  that  we  have  quoted  the  letter  from  the 
written  records  of  the  Senior  State  Council. 

After  presenting  the  proposition  referred  to,  Brother  Deemer 
adds: 

"  In  carrying  out  the  provisions  of  the  above  proposition,  we  have 
only  to  draw  your  attention  to  the  following  facts.  The  Junior 
0.  U.  A.  M.  was  instituted  by  the  organization  of  Washington  Council. 
No.  1,  of  Germantown,  on  the  17th  of  May,  1853,  under  the  auspices  of  the 
0.  U.  A.  M. 

"The  objects  of  the  organization  were  expressed  as  the  following: 

'  1.  To  assist  Americans  in  obtaining  employment. 

'  2.  To  encourage  Americans  in  business. 

'  3.  To  establish  a  sick  and  funeral  fund. 

'  4.  To  prepare  the  youth  of  America  to  become  members  of  the 
O.  U.  A.  M.  and  other  American  Orders  when  they  arrive  at  the  proper 
age. 

'5.  To  use  such  means  when  able  as  will  prevent  the  present  system 
of   emigration   of   foreign   paupers   to   our   land.' 

"  In  addition  to  these  objects,  our  members  have  been  obligated  as 
follows,  on  being  initiated:  'I  further  promise  that  in  conformity  with 
the  fourth  object  of  this  Order,  I  will,  when  I  arrive  at  the  age  of  21 
years,  offer  myself  a  candidate  for  membership  in  a  legally  constituted 
Council  of  the'  O.  U.  A.  M.' 

"  It  was  further  expressed  in  the  organization  of  Washington  Council, 
that  this  Council  should  act  as  State  Council  of  the  Order  until  six 
Councils  were  organized,  and  under  its  jurisdiction,  when  each  should 
be  requested  to  send  three  representatives  to  organize  a  State  Council. 

,l  This  Council  stood  solitary  and  alone,  comparatively  unknown,  from 
the  time  of  its  organization  until  the  close  of  1859,  when  Relief  Council, 
0.  U.  A.  M.  instituted  the  Order  in  the  city  proper,  by  the  organization 
on  the  3rd  of  December,  of  Relief  Council,  No.  2.  Eagle,  No.  9,  followed 
by  the  organization  of  Eagle,  No.  3,  on  the  11th  of  January,  1860.  From 
this  time  forward  our  cause  has  been  upward  and  onward ;  and  on  the 
13th  of  March  (18G0),  the  State  Council  of  Penna.,  Junior  O.  U.  A.  M. 
was  organized  in  the  Town  Hall,  Germantown,  by  the  Representatives  of 
eight  Councils.  Since  then,  although  some  of  our  Councils  have  been 
well  assisted  by  Councils  of  the  Senior  Order,  our  State  Council  has 
never  been  recognized  in  any  manner  whatever. 

"  Our  Order  had  scarcely  been  in  operation  ten  months,  during  which 
time  it  had  increased  to  13  Councils  and  nearly  900  members,  when  this 
wicked  and  unholy  Rebellion  broke  forth,  and  our  members,  true  to  their 
obligation  and  principles,  enlisted  in  defence  of  our  flag,  and,  on  a  rough 
estimate,  it  is  calculated  that  between  400  and  500  of  our  members  have 


UNITED  AMERICAN   MECHANICS  21 

offered  their  lives  a  willing  sacrifice  on  the  altar  of  their  Country.  There 
is  scarcely  a  Council  but  has  been  a  loser  in  killed,  wounded,  and  missing 
by  the  recent  battles  near  Richmond.  As  the  majority  of  the  Councils 
have  resolved  as  far  as  lay  in  their  power,  to  pay  the  funeral  benefits 
of  those  who  die  in  battle,  it  has  now  come  to  the  alternative,  of  us  either 
being  recognized  by  the  Senior  Order,  or  the  reorganization  of  our  Order, 
and  the  so  changing  of  our  objects  that  members  will  be  offered  an  induce- 
ment to  remain  with  us,  after  attaining  the  age  of  twenty-one  year-. 
We  believe  that  our  recognition  by  you,  and  the  adoption  of  a  resolution 
admitting  members  of  our  Order  for  one-half  your  regular  initiation  fee, 
will  be  of  far  more  advantage  to  you  than  you  may  imagine. 

"Think  for  a  moment,  that  at  the  time  of  our  organization,  most 
of  us  were  about  18  years  of  age,  and  without  doubt  this  year  will  give 
you  quite  a  number  of  new  members,  if  such  a  resolution  be  adopted, 
but  if  not.  they  will  be  lost,  for  it  is  impossible  in  these  times  of  uncer- 
tainty to  pay  funeral  expenses  and  also  $3.00  on  the  admission  of  each 
member  to  the  Senior  Order.  Kensington  Council,  No.  5,  of  the  Juniors 
is  the  most  successful,  pecuniary,  of  any  in  our  Order,  being  worth  over 
$250.00;  of  this  $175.00  is  invested  in  this  hall,  and  yet  if  four  of  their 
members  were  to  be  killed  in  battle,  or  25  wished  to  join  the  Senior  Order 
the  next  three  months  they  would  be  bankrupt.  This  is  only  cited  as  an 
example.  There  are  three  other  Councils  worth  over  $100.00  each,  and 
yet  by  the  present  plan  of  paying  by  each  member  of  $3.00  on  joining 
your  Order  and  the  casualities  of  war,  the  first  of  January  of  1863  may 
find  the  Junior  Order  one  of  the  things  of  the  past.  For  all  of  the  mem- 
bers we  have  sent  into  your  I  >rder,  we  have  received  nothing  in  return, 
each  Council  being  dependent  for  its  propositions  on  the  exertions  of  its 
own  members. 

"We  are  not  content  that  our  Order  should  be  for  the  day;  that 
we  should  strive  and  build  an  Order  of  from  1,000  to  2,000  members  and 
then  lose  them  all  in  two  or  three  years  by  their  admission  to  your 
Councils.  We  love  our  organization  and  desire  to  see  it  successful.  We 
believe  that  if  your  body  would  establish  some  connecting  link  between 
the  two  Orders  it  would  be  of  mutual  advantage.  What  this  connecting 
link  shall  be  we  leave  to  your  superior  judgment,  and  more  experience 
in  these  matters  to  determine,  but  any  communication,  or  suggestion  you 
may  see  fit  to  make,  either  through  your  Secretary  or  by  a  Committee, 
will  be  cheerfully  and  respectfully  considered." 

The  communication  of  Brother  Deemer  was  received  by  the 
State  Council  0.  TJ.  A.  M.,  and,  on  motion,  referred  to  a  Special 
Committee,  which,  at  the  quarterly  meeting  of  their  State  Council, 
October  16,  same  year,  submitted  the  following: 

"  We  have  given  the  address  a  full  and  due  consideration.  Your 
Committee  believe  after  due  deliberation  that  this  appeal  must  be  met 
sooner  or  later;  and  by  meeting  it  now.  it  may  save  us,  as  an  Order,  a 
great  trouble  hereafter.  Your  Committee  would  offer  the  following  reso- 
lutions and  asked  to  be  discharged: 

"  Resolved,  That  the  State  Council  of  Penna.  O.  U.  A.  M.,  hereby 
recognizes  the  Jr.  O.U.  A.  M.  as  an  organization,  whose  objects  are 
synonymous    with    our    own,    and    worthy    the    considei-ation    and    earnest 


22  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

attention  of  our  sons,  and  all  young  men  of  this  city  and  State,  and  all 
Subordinate  Councils  are  hereby  requested  to  use  their  efforts  toward  the 
establishment  of  this  order,  especially  in  the  interior  of  our  State. 

"  Resolved,  That  we,  the  Representatives  forming  the  State  Council 
hereby  pledge  ourselves  to  use  our  influence  in  our  respective  Councils, 
toward  the  success  of  the  object  set  forth  in  the  foregoing  resolution." 

The  State  Council  adopted  the  report  of  the  Committee  and 
for  the  first  time  gave  official  recognition  to  the  Junior  Order. 
As  far  as  the  records  show  of  either  organization,  nothing  more  was 
said  and  done  for  a  time,  and  it  is  presumed  that  an  era  of  good 
feeling  prevailed  for  several  years.  That  the  Senior  Order  gave 
encouragement  to  the  Junior  Order  following  this  official  action  is 
apparent  from  a  paragraph  in  Brother  Deemer's  report  to  his  State 
Council,  when  State  Councilor,  April  16,  1869 : 

"  I  am  also  largely  indebted  to  the  officers  of  the  Senior  Order  for 
many  favors  far  too  numerous  to  mention.  I  rejoice  in  the  reaction  which 
has  taken  place  in  the  0.  U.  A.  M.,  in  our  favor.  Let  us  show  that  we 
appreciate  their  zeal  in  our  behalf,  and  on  arriving  at  our  majority, 
offer  ourselves  for  membership  among  them.  Where  all  have  done  so 
nobly,  to  name  a  few  would  be  unjust,  so  I  tender  to  the  entire  Order  our 
thanks  for  their  cooperation,  and  hope  that  it  will  be  transmitted  to  my 
successor." 

BIRTHPLACE 

May  17,  1853,  the  time,  and  Concord  Schoolhouse  the  place  of 
the  institution  of  the  Jr.  0.  U.  A.  M.,  has  found  an  indelible  imprint 
upon  the  mind  of  the  entire  Order.  Fanieul  Hall,  Boston,  where 
the  Adamses,  James  Otis  and  Joseph  Warren  first  sounded  the 
slogan  for  Liberty,  and  Independence  Hall,  Philadelphia,  where 
the  final  act  was  consummated  that  gave  Freedom  to  an  oppressed 
people,  are  relics  sacred  to  every  American.  To  the  members  of 
the  Jr.  0.  U.  A.  1L,  old  Concord  Schoolhouse  is  a  sacred  spot,  not 
only  because  the  Order  was  born  there,  but  of  the  hallowed  associa- 
tions of  the  Bevolutionary  struggle  that  lingers  around  the  place. 

From  "  Hotehkin's  History  of  Germantown,"  published  in 
1889,  and  "  Scharf's  and  Westcott's  History  of  Philadelphia,"  some 
facts  are  taken  bearing  on  the  early  annals  associated  with  this 
building  and  surroundings.  The  building  is  a  two-story  stone 
structure,  having  cut  on  the  gable  end,  indicating  the  date  of  its 
construction,  the  figures  "  1775." 

There  is  still  in  existence  the  first  record-book  of  the  school 
conducted  in  this  famous  old  building.  The  title  is,  "  Proceedings 
of  the  Order  and  Management  of  the  School  and  Building,  the 
Concord  Schoolhouse  at  the  upper  end  of  Germantown,  1775." 
Then  comes  the  following: 


UNITED  AMERICAN   MECHANICS  23 

"Be  it  remembered,  that  whereas  a  number  of  inhabitants  of  the 
upper  end  of  Germantown  taking  into  consideration  the  distance  and 
particular  inconvenience  of  sending  their  children  to  the  lower  school 
(in  the  Academy),  and  seeing  the  number  of  children  is  increasing,  and 
the  rooms  rented  for  school  in  the  neighborhood  mostly  be  too  small  and 
inconvenient.  When  the  building  of  a  schoolhouse  was  proposed  by  sub- 
scription, a  number  of  the  inhabitants  met  on  the  24,  of  March,  177."), 
to  promote  the  building  and  erection  of  a  convenient  schoolhouse,  and 
establishing  an  English  school  in  that  part  of  the  town.  The  plan  of 
the  house  and  spot  of  ground  were  unanimously  agreed  upon,  being  that 
part  of  the  burying  ground  lot  at  the  upper  end  of  Germantown  formerly 
intended  for  that  purpose  by  one  Paul  Wolf,  the  original  grantor  of  said 
burying  ground  lot,  and  Jacob  Engle,  Peter  Keyser,  Peter  Seibert  and 
Jacob  Knorr  were  unanimously  chosen  managers,  by  whom  it  was  com- 
pleted by  the  latter  end  of  October,  and  was  opened  and  kept  by  John 
Grimes,    schoolmaster." 

Then  follows  a  list  of  the  contributors  toward  the  erection  of 
the  building  amounting  to  "245  pounds,  1  shilling,  and  2  pence." 
A  note  follows  that  "  the  Continental  that  came  to  nothing,  2  pence. 
Real  amount,  243  pounds,  1  shilling,  and  2  pence." 

The  original  grantor  of  the  lot  that  had  been  intended  for 
burying  purposes,  in  the  oldest  documents  was  spelled  "  Paul 
Wulff."  In  1724  a  stone  wall  was  built  in  front  of  where  the 
schoolhouse  stands,  as  well  as  along  the  entire  burying  ground  Lot. 
All  subscribers  to  the  wall  fund  were  to  have  the  right  of  burial 
within  the  grounds,  which  went  by  the  name  of  "  Upper  German- 
town  Burying  Ground."  The  wall  was  constructed  by  Dirch  John- 
son and  John  Frederick  Ax,  at  a  cost  of  40  pounds,  8  shillings  and 
6  pence.  A  new  wall  was  built  in  1776,  which  remains  intact  as 
when  built.  Dr.  Keyser  says :  "  In  the  latter  part  of  the  eighteenth 
century,  a  stone  schoolhouse  was  built  in  a  triangular  lot  adjoining 
this  (burying  ground)  ground,  on  the  southwest  line,  which  was 
called  Concord  Schoolhouse.  From  the  proximity  of  this  house  to 
the  ground,  it  came  to  be  called  the  Concord  Burying  Ground, 
which  name  it  popularly  held  many  years." 

THE  BATTLE  OF  GERMAN  TOWN 

The  story  of  Concord  Schoolhouse  not  only  relates  to  the 
Jr.  0.  U.  A.  M.,  but  it  forms  a  part  of  the  story  of  the  struggle  for 
Independence,  as  around  it  and  in  close  proximity,  was  fought  one 
of  the  bloodiest  battles  of  the  Revolution,  known  in  history  as  tli<' 
"Battle  of  Germantown";  hence,  it  became,  very  appropriately, 
the  birthplace  of  an  organization  that  has  Love  of  Country  a-  its 
chief  corner-stone,  Patriotism  its  life  blood,  and  reveres  him  who 


24  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

led  the  American  army  in  battle — Washington,  the  Order's  patron 
saint.  Although  well  planned  and  finely  executed,  the  attack 
on  the  British  lines  was  a  failure.  Though  personally  endangering 
himself,  Washington  bore  his  defeat  with  remarkable  patience,  cour- 
age and  a  sublime  trust  in  God,  attributing  his  loss  of  the  battle 
to  a  dense  fog  that  enveloped  Germantown  that  October  morning 
(October  4),  1877.  Even  one  historian,  who  believed  in  the  "  God 
of  Battles  "  and  in  the  "  Lord  of  Hosts,"  claimed  that  the  defeat 
of  Washington  was  Providential,  since  had  the  American  army 
been  victorious,  Washington  would  have  been  overpowered  by  Lord 
Howe.  "  History,"  says  one,  "  is  God's  footsteps  marching  through 
time."  Possibly  God  did  send  down  that  fog  to  bring  about  defeat, 
for  the  story  of  Valley  Forge  might  never  have  been  written,  out 
of  which  the  patriots  with  bleeding  feet  marched  to  final  conquest. 
Thomas  MacKellar's  Memorial  Ode,  read  at  the  dedication  of 
the  monument  erected  to  the  Soldier's  and  Sailors  of  the  Civil 
War,  in  Germantown,  is  no  more  true  of  the  brave  men  who  fell 
in  the  defence  of  the  flag  of  the  fathers  than  of  the  fathers  them- 
selves : 

"  Heroic  deeds 

Are  the  immortal   seeds — 

Nourished   by  the  blood   and   tears 

That  grow  the  fruit  of  liberty 
And   conscience   free 

Through  time's  unresisting  years. 

"  Not  they 
Of  1777  who  fell  on  this  bloody  field; 
Not  they  who   shout   are   conquerors   alone, 
For  they  who  fell  before  the  day  is  won 
Are  also  victors,  and  the  laureled  crown 
Fitly  adorns  the  warrior  smitten  down; 

No  martyr  dies 

A   fruitless    sacrifice." 

Hard  as  it  may  seem  to  say  that  God  would  so  over-rule  that 
the  awful  winter  of  Valley  Forge  should  have  been  experienced 
when  patriots  reddened  the  pure  white  snow  with  lacerated  feet, 
while  gaunt  hunger  stood  as  spector  at  the  doors  of  the  comfortless 
cabins,  yet  has  not  God  in  other  ages  shut  out  the  sun  and  plunged 
his  heroes  into  the  midnight  that  the  morn  might  come  the  brighter 
and  more  glorious  ?  Luther  on  his  way  to  danger  and  sure  destruc- 
tion, by  friendly  hands,  was  assailed  and  shut  up  two  years  in  his 
"  own  house  "  in  order  that  he  might  translate  the  Word  of  God  to 
be  the  commentary  in  the  great  work  of  his  life  when  the  morning 
of  the  Eeformation  arose  out  of  the  long  night  of  despotism. 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  25 

John  1  lun van,  shut  up  in  Bedford  prison,  no  doubt  dwelt  upon 
the  injustice  and  wrong  of  his  incarceration,  but  from  that  prison 
cell  he  saw  "  Christian  "  leaving  the  "  City  of  Destruction  "  and 
wend  his  way,  beset  by  dangers,  pitfalls  and  temptations,  until 
finally  he  sees  the  "  Celestial  City  "  open  its  gate  and  the  traveller 
enters  in;  and  to  the  world  was  given  a  book,  next  to  the  Bible, 
that  has  stirred  more  souls  and  warmed  more  hearts  than  all  the 
books  of  the  world  put  together.  Is  it  not  possible,  then,  that  God 
permitted  the  dark  winter  of  doubt,  fear  and  suffering  at  Valley 
Forge  that  the  great  heart  of  Washington  could  get  in  closer  touch 
with  the  Lord  of  Hosts  with  a  mightier  grip  of  faith  so  that  out  of 
it  should  come  the  dawn  of  renewed  confidence,  and  with  it  the 
glorious  morning,  preceding  the  more  glorious  noon-tide  and  the 
final  triumph  at  Yorktown. 

The  battle  of  Germantown  is  of  the  past.  The  armies  that 
faced  each  other  that  terrible  day  are  in  the  dust.  But  one  monu- 
ment of  that  struggle,  yea,  the  common  center  of  the  battle  remains 
as  a  reminder  of  that  bloody  morning — the  "  Chew  House,"  which, 
as  Lossing  says,  "  is  the  most  noted  and  attractive  relic  of  the 
Revolution."  The  visitor  to  the  birthplace  of  our  Order,  itself 
a  part  of  the  field  of  battle,  and  the  grounds  surrounding  it  being 
redolent  with  patriotic  blood,  should  not  fail  to  visit  the  "  fort  at 
Germantown "  as  it  was  called  at  the  time  of  the  battle.  The 
house  is  built  of  stone,  the  masonry  being  so  complete  that  American 
cannon  could  make  no  impression  on  its  walls.  It  is  two-story, 
with  attic,  and  of  large  dimensions  as  all  the  old-time  mansions  of 
wealthy  people  were,  and  many  marks  made  by  American  bullets 
can  be  distinguished  as  reminders  of  the  fierce  contest  when  many 
patriots  fell  in  their  unavailable  effort  to  dislodge  the  enemy. 

CONCORD  SCHOOLHOUSE — CHEW  HOUSE — TWO  MONUMENTS  OF  BEAU- 
TIFUL  GERMANTOWN 

Long  may  they  stand  to  be  the  Mecca  of  patriots.  As  we 
tread  the  sacred  soil  where  our  fathers  fought,  how  great  the  change. 
They  fought  for  liberty  and  a  brighter  future ;  we  bask  in  the 
noon-tide  splendor  of  their  brightiest  anticipations.  Like  Moses 
on  shining  Pisgah,  they  looked  forward  to  a  rich  inheritance;  we 
have  entered  in — the  corn,  the  wine,  the  oil  are  ours.  Theirs  was 
the  song  of  the  sower  treading  in  the  furrow;  ours  is  the  jubilee 
of  the  reaper  with  the  music  of  the  waving  harvest  in  his  hearing. 
They  looked  onward  with  expectant  gaze  to  future  blessings;  we 
look  backward  over  the  winding  path  of  destiny,  at  Red  Seas  and 


%6  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

Jorclans  whose  obedient  waters  parted  at  their  coming,  showing 
that  naught  can  hinder  the  onward  march  of  those  who  step  to  the 
"  drum  beat  of  Providence." 

WASHINGTON   COUNCIL,   NO.    1 

The  institution  of  the  first  Council  has  already  been  referred 
to.  Brother  Deemer  several  years  ago  made  special  effort's  to  obtain 
historical  data  associated  with  Washington  Council,  No.  1,  and  to 
him  the  writer,  as  well  as  the  Order  at  large,  is  indebted  for  the 
facts  that  are  already  history.  Eeference  has  been  made  at  the 
opening  of  this  chapter  to  the  three  prominent  factors  in  the  insti- 
tution of  the  first  Council  of  the  Order — Bros.  Wm.  M.  Weckerly, 
Gideon  D.  Harmar  and  Elliott  Smith,  the  former,  State  Council 
Secretary  of  the  0.  U.  A.  M.,  and  the  latter  two  members  of  Ee- 
liance  Council,  No.  40.  These  three  without  any  official  action  of 
the  0.  U.  A.  M.,  or  Eeliance  Council,  organized  Washington  Coun- 
cil and  launched  it  forth  into  the  great  family  of  secret  societies. 

The  first  year  of  the  Council's  history  was  somewhat  discourag- 
ing, and  there  came  a  time  when  it  was  proposed  to  disband  The 
cohesive  power  of  the  Order  was  not  as  strong  as  it  is  now,  hence 
there  were  no  great  underlying  principles  then  to  hold  the  member- 
ship together  as  at  the  present  time,  being  purely  beneficial  and 
protective,  the  purposes  being  local. 

With  a  view  of  obtaining  the  recollections  of  those  who  were 
contemporary  with  the  organization  of  the  Junior  0.  U.  A.  M., 
several  letters  were  written  requesting  some  facts  associated  with  the 
"  beginnings  of  the  Order."  One  of  these  letters  was  addressed 
to  Bro.  P.  N.  C.  Chas.  P.  Haupt,  the  only  original  charter  member 
living  who  is  still  a  member  of  the  Order,  as  well  as  of  the  Council. 
A  very  courteous  reply  came  to  our  communication  under  date  of 
July  16,  1906,  in  which  he  stated  that  "  I  am  at  all  times  willing 
to  do  anything  for  the  Order  or  its  members,  but  I  cannot  give  any 
more  of  the  facts  than  I  gave  when  I  wrote  the  history  that  Bro. 
Deemer  had  adopted  as  a  true  account  of  the  origin  of  the  Order 
which  you  speak  of." 

The  history  referred  to  by  Bro.  Haupt,  which  was  given  in 
Deemer's  History,  and  later  was  published  in  The  American,  is  as 
follows : 

"It  is  almost  40  years  (1892)  since  the  organization  of  Washington 
Council,  No.  1,  Jr.  0.  U.  A.  M.,  but  I  will  give  you,  from  memory,  all  the 
facts  I  can. 

"  Washington  Council  was  started  in  May,  1853,  in  the  Council 
Chamber    of   Reliance   Council,   No.    40,    in    the   second   story   of   the   old 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  27 

Concord  Schoolhouse,  an  old  building  of  Revolutionary  fame,  on  .Main 
street,  above   Washington   Avenue,  Germantown. 

"The  leading  spirits  were  two  zealous  members  of  Reliance  Council, 
Gideon  D.  Harmar  and  Elliott  Smith,  who  spent  much  time  in  trying 
to  get  the  American  youth  in  line.  I  can  recall  the  names  of  the  young 
men  who  first  met  for  the  purpose  of  starting  the  Council,  viz.: 

"Geo.  Keyser.  lsaiali  B.  Scott,  (lias.  Waters,  Isaiah  B.  Dewees, 
Henry  Smith,  Peter  Stroup,  Philip  Klonegar,  (has.  Cleaver,  Daniel  Pas- 
torious,  Jno.  J.  Hell'ner,  Samuel  Colladay,  Henry  Gravenstine,  Jackson 
Rupley,  Chas.  P.  Haupt. 

"  Daniel  Pastorious  was  selected  as  our  first  Councilor.  He  was 
a  lineal  descendant  of  Francis  Daniel  Pastorious,  the  founder  of  German- 
town,  under  William  Penn.  They  were  all  Germantown  boys  with  one 
exception,  that  being  Philip  Klonegar,  who  was  from  the  city.  I  think 
his  father  was  a  member  of  the  Senior  Order,  a  printer  by  trade,  and  he 
printed  our  ritual. 

"  The  first  parade  we  participated  in  was  soon  after  we  started. 
It  was  a  parade  of  the  Senior  Order  at  Norristown,  Pa.,  and  we  who  were 
invited  to  participate  with  them,  remember  the  occasion  well.  We  had 
no  time  to  order  regalia,  so  we  bought  linen  and  got  our  sisters  and 
mothers  to  cut  and  make  them.  They  looked  very  neat — the  collars  were 
bound  with  red  and  blue  ribbons.  We  took  some  eighteen  members  with 
us,  and  made  an  excellent  impression. 

"  After  a  few  months  we  got  in  pretty  good  shape  and  had  a  charter 
drawn  up,  and  as  many  had  dropped  out,  we  had  those  remaining  have 
their  names  put  in  the  charter  (which  you  have).  Soon  after  we  got 
the  charter  drawn  up  we  received  several  good  members  in  the  persons 
of  Jacob  Pullinger,  Heisler  Scholl,  .Marshall  C.  Hong,  John  Flue  and 
others  who  names  I  cannot  now  recall. 

"  We  thought  we  must  have  a  new  flag,  so  we  appointed  a  committee 
for  that  purpose,  and  started  out  among  our  friends  of  Reliance  Council. 
We  secured  some  forty  dollars,  which  got  us  a  nice  silk  flag  and  an 
eagle.  We  bought  them  at  Wm.  Mintzer's  (now  Clarence  A.  Hart),  on 
Third  Street,  he  being  a  big  man  at  that  time  in  that  line  of  business. 
The  old  flag  is  now  in  the  possession  of  Washington  Council,  and  is  much 
revered. 

"Soon  after  we  moved  our  quarters,  along  with  Reliance  Council, 
to  Town  Hall,  it  just  being  finished.  We  tried  to  get  members,  but  it 
was  uphill  work,  and  we  got  discouraged.  At  last  we  determined  to 
disband.  Our  old  friends,  Harmar  and  Smith,  used  their  endeavors  with 
other  Councils  of  the  Order,  to  start  new  Councils,  but  did  not  succeed, 
and  we  actually  met  one  night  with  a  list  of  the  proportionate  amount 
due  each  member,  when  Isaiah  B.  Scott,  half-dead  with  consumption,  made 
a  strong  appeal  to  try  a  little  longer,  and  Elliott  Smith,  coming  upon 
the  scene,  with  his  strong  appeal,  we  tore  up  the  paper  and  did  try,  and 
you  now  see  the  great  result  arising  therefrom. 

"  The  next  move  we  made  was  to  Maxwell's  Hall,  on  Rittenhouse 
Street,  when  I  soon  after  became  twenty-one  years  of  age,  and  joined 
Reliance  Council.  I  was  the  first  Junior  who  went  into  the  Senior  Order, 
and  was  followed  by  Geo.  Keyser,  Jacob  Pullinger,  Heisler  Scholl  and 
John  Flue,  all  joining  while  I  was  still  a  member  of  Washington  Council. 
Of   the   charter   members,    the   following   have    since   died:     Geo.    Keyser, 


28  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

Henry  Smith,  Henry  Gravenstine,  Chas.  Waters,  Isaiah  B.  Dewees,  Isaiah 
.Scott  and  Chas.   Cleaver. 

"  As  to  the  first  officers,  Daniel  Pastorious  only  met  with  us  a  few 
times,  and  I  think  we  organized  under  the  charter  as  follows: 

"Councilor,  Henry  Smith;  Financial  Secretary,  Chas.  Cleaver; 
Recording  Secretary,  Samuel  Colladay;  Treasurer,  C.  P.  Haupt. 

"  The  other  officers  I  cannot  remember.  I  was  Treasurer  from  the 
start  of  the  Order  and  served  six  months  after  I  joined  the  Senior  Order, 
which  was  in  July,   1855." 

Brother  P.  S.  C.  Jno.  K.  Fanshawe,  in  an  address  before  the 
Council,  in  May,  1891,  in  speaking  of  his  connection  with  Wash- 
ington Council,  says : 

"  Being  young,  vigorous  and  in  full  sympathy  with  the  general 
purposes  of  the  society,  it  was  not  long  before  I  was  among  those  in 
the  lead.  The  idea  soon  developed  that  it  would  be  well  to  enlarge  the 
scope  of  its  operations  by  the  formation  of  other  Councils.  I  spent  many 
an  hour  with  Bro.  Gaul  in  making  the  preliminary  arrangements  for 
the  organization  of  Relief  Council,  No.  2,  of  the  Juniors;  Eagle  Council, 
No.  3,  followed  at  once.  Then  followed  five  others,  when  a  State  Council 
was  considered  advisable  and  necessary.'  The  State  Council  was  organized 
at  Germantown,  and  I  was  honored  in  being  selected  the  first  State 
Councilor. 

"  The  organizations  of  the  first  Councils  were  under  my  administra- 
tion as  Councilor  of  Washington  Council,  and  as  the  first  State  Councilor. 
I  have  no  time  to  refer  to  personal  reminiscences,  but  to  call  to  mind 
the  services  of  Bro.  Calver  and  Bro.  Keyser,  and  many  others  who  were 
then  aglow  with  ardor  in  their  work.  Some  have  gone  into  the  Great 
Unknown  and  some  remain.  The  history  of  the  Order  seems  to  be  divided 
into  two  epochs.  In  the  first  are  associated  my  contemporaries  and  myself; 
in  the  second  are  those  of  the  present;  binding  and  riveting  these  two 
into  one  are  Bros.  Deemer,  Calver  and  others,  who  are  active  represen- 
tatives of  both  periods." 

Following  the  outbreak  of  the  Civil  War,  and  owing  to  the 
large  number  of  its  members  going  to  the  front,  the  Council  was 
compelled  to  suspend  its  meetings,  and  it  was  not  until  March  31, 
1865,  that  the  State  Council  granted  the  Council  a  new  charter. 
The  charter  had  thirty-five  names  and  P.  S.  C.  Jno.  E.  Fanshawe 
is  the  only  charter  member  now  on  the  roll  of  the  Council. 

Although  the  "  Mother  of  Councils,"  still  Washington  Council 
has  asked  and  received  but  few  honors  in  the  way  of  National  and 
State  offices.  Besides  Bro.  Fanshawe,  one  other,  Bro.  A.  P.  Keyser, 
was  a  State  Council  officer  of  rank,  being  the  first  Junior  Past 
State  Councilor  of  Pennsylvania.  Bros.  L.  A.  Harmar  and  Hob- 
son  served  as  Representatives  to  the  National  Council,  and  Bros. 
Jno.  S.  Harmar  and  Chas.  Stutz  held  the  position  of  State  Council 
Sentinel   and   Warden,   respectively.     The   work   of   the    Council, 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  29 

however,  was  of  a  different  character.  As  it  started  in  the  begin- 
ning  on  actual  organization,  it  continued  in  that  line  of  work, 
organizing  Councils  and  aiding  in  the  building  up  of  the  Order, 
not  only  in  Philadelphia,  but  throughout  the  state.  The  new 
Councils  formed  in  Germantown  all  received  their  foundation  prin- 
ciples from  No.  1,  and  owe  to  her  much  of  the  success  that  has 
attended  them.  In  the  earlier  years  it  was  the  custom  of  the 
Council  to  attend  the  State  Council  sessions  by  large  delegations, 
thus  giving  inspiration  to  that  body. 

The  Council  has  taken  hold  of  every  movement  that  had  in  it 
the  good  of  the  Order,  whether  at  large  or  in  its  immediate  locality. 
When  parades  were  prevalent  in  the  Order,  Washington  Council 
figured  largely  in  them,  even  when  but  a  few  months  old,  the 
"  boys  "  attended  with  the  Seniors  one  of  the  parades  near  Phila- 
delphia. She  sent  in  1889  a  large  delegation  to  the  parade  at 
Harrisburg,  a  distance  of  one  hundred  and  twenty  miles,  and  the 
year  following  a  strong  delegation  went  to  Pittsburg,  a  distance  of 
three  hundred  and  fifty  miles. 

Although  Washington  Council  has  given  largely  of  her  mem- 
bership to  the  formation  of  other  Councils  in  that  section  of  the 
city,  doubtless  more  than  a  dozen  having  been  organized,  and  at  the 
same  time  a  large  number  of  suspended  members  have  been  gathered 
by  her  "  children,"  still  she  stands  second  in  number  in  the  state, 
having  at  last  report,  519  members,  with  an  invested  capital  of 
$24,000.  Her  meetings  are  characterized  by  the  old-time  enthus- 
iasm, and  none  can  visit  the  Council  without  feeling  the  influence 
and  power  that  still  burns  around  her  camp-fire.  The  character 
of  her  membership  is  of  the  best.  Some  of  the  very  best  citizens 
of  Germantown  are  enrolled  on  her  register. 

Out  of  respect  for  the  Council  as  well  as  a  courtesy  shown,  the 
National  Council,  at  its  session  in  Louisville,  Ky.,  in  1898,  did  a 
noble  act  by  bestowing  upon  one  of  her  honored  and  esteemed 
members,  and  the  only  surviving  original  charter  member  living. 
a  member  of  the  Order,  the  honors  of  Past  National  Councilor.  I 
refer  to  Brother  Chas.  P.  Haupt,  whose  "  Eecollections  "  are  to  be 
found  above. 

Another  member  of  the  Order  known  from  the  Great  Lakes 
to  the  Gulf,  and  from  the  "  land  of  the  rising  sun  to  the  land  whose 
face  is  kissed  by  its  departing  rays,''  was  a  member  for  a  time 
of  Washington  Council,  and  who  aided  in  the  formation  of  the 
several  Councils  that  made  the  institution  of  the  State  Council 
of  Pennsylvania  a  possibility.     I  refer  to  our  greatly  beloved  Senior 


30  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

Past  National  Councilor,  Brother  John  W.  Calver,  who  subsequently 
organized  Eagle  Council,  No.  3,  of  which  he  is  still  a  member. 

To  Brother  Calver  one  of  our  communications  was  addressed, 
requesting  some  of  his  "  Becollections  "  associated  with  the  "  Be- 
ginnings of  the  Order,"  and  it  is  with  pleasure  that  we  are  able  to 
place  upon  the  pages  of  history  some  of  the  facts  of  the  early  years 
of  the  Order,  as  they  present  themselves  at  the  present  time  to 
Brother  Calver.  The  following  is  the  very  courteous  response  to 
our  letter: 

LETTER   OF   PAST   NATIONAL  COUNCILOR   JOHN   W.    CALVER 

"  When  I  was  between  fifteen  and  sixteen  years  of  age.  I  went  to 
learn  my  trade  and  lived  with  an  uncle  at  Germantown.  I  made  the 
acquaintance  of  a  fellow-apprentice  who  was  a  member  of  Washington 
Council,  No.  1,  Jr.  0.  U.  A.  M.,  and  many  of  our  associates  were  Juniors, 
so  I  heard  a  good  deal  about  the  Council  and  my  interest  was  awakened 
in  it.  Shortly  after  my  going  to  Germantown,  Reliance  Council  of  the 
Senior  Order,  dedicated  a  hall  and  there  was  quite  a  parade.  Wash- 
ington Council,  No.  1,  followed  Reliance  Council  in  the  procession  and 
attracted  much  attention,  there  being  about  40  members  in  line,  that 
being  its  entire  strength. 

"  I  was  sixteen  years  of  age  in  August  and  was  initiated  into  Wash- 
ington Council  at  its  first  meeting  in  September,  1859.  The  Council  met 
only  twice  a  month  in  the  Town  Hall,  in  a  room  on  the  upper  floor, 
which  was  rented  to  lodges.  The  laws  of  Washington  Council  provided 
that  it  should  have  power  to  grant  charters  to  other  Councils,  and  act 
as  a  State  Council  until  seven  Councils  should  be  organized,  when  Repre- 
sentatives should  be  elected  by  each  Council  to  meet  and  form  a  State 
Council. 

"  At  the  time  I  joined  the  Council,  the  subject  of  organizing  other 
Councils  was  being  considered,  and  I  remember  that  there  were  parties 
in  Norristown  who  wanted  information  on  the  subject.  While  the  mem- 
bers were  discussing  the  matter  of  organizing  a  Council,  a  letter  was 
received  from  the  above  named  place,  asking  if  a  Council  could  not  be 
instituted  and  the  candidates  initiated  through  the  mail.  This  propo- 
sition was  seriously  debated,  but  finally  the  Council  decided  that  as  the 
Putual  was  a  secret  work,  that  we  could  not  send  it  through  the  mail, 
nor  could  we  properly  instruct  the  Norristown  parties  in  that  way,  and 
it  was  thought  impossible  to  send  our  officers  to  organize  the  Council. 
(Norristown  is  about  20  miles  from  Philadelphia.) 

"  During  the  fall  of  1859,  several  Councils  of  the  Senior  Order 
sent  committees  to  the  meetings  of  Washington  Council  to  confer  about 
starting  Junior  Councils  to  be  under  its  supervision  and  to  act  as  feeders 
for  the  Senior  Councils.  As  the  result  of  these  conferences,  several 
Junior  Councils  were  organized,  the  first  being  Relief  Council,  No.  2,  on 
December  5,  1859,  with  nearly  100  applicants  present  for  initiation.  I 
was  present  as  an  officer  of  No.  1,  Warden,  I  think,  and  took  part  in  the 
work.  The  candidates  were  divided  into  three  or  four  squads,  and  intro- 
duced that  way,  because  the  room  in  American  Mechanics  Hall  at  Fourth 


UNITED  AMERICAN   MECHANICS  81 

and  George  Streets  was  not  large  enough  to  initiate  all  the  candidates 
at  one  time.  It  was  after  midnight  when  the  work  of  organization 
was  finished  and  a  few  of  us  who  remained  until  the  work  waa  done  were 
compelled  to  walk  home  to  Germantown,  a  distance  of  more  than  Bis 
miles;  pretty  tired  you  may  be  sine. 

"Eagle  Council,  No.  :i.  Diligent,  No.  I.  Kensington,  No.  •">,  Resolu- 
tion, No.  6,  and  Harry  Clay,  No.  7,  were  organized  in  succession  -onii 
after  Relief  Council,  and  as  an  officer  of  No.  1,  I  was  present  on  each 
occasion,  and  they  certainly  were  great  events  in  the  history  of  No.  1. 
Our  members  thought  they  were  doing  a  great  work  in  attending  on 
these  different  occasions,  and  as  the  means  of  communication  between 
Philadelphia  and  Germantown  was  not  like  it  is  now,  and  the  cars  did 
not  run  after  11.30  p.m.,  the  organization  work  had  to  he  hurried  or 
else  we  had  to  walk  home,   which   happened  more  than  once. 

"  Resolution  Council,  No.  6,  was  organized  at  Frankford,  Philadel- 
phia, and  it  was  necessary  to  take  the  horse  cars  into  the  city  proper, 
then  take  another  to  Frankford  which  is  oast  of  Germantown.  and  about 
as  far  from  the  center  of  Philadelphia  where  we  changed  cars  as  was 
Germantown.  When  we  were  through  with  the  organization  of  No.  6, 
there  was  no  way  to  ride  home,  so  those  of  us  that  did  the  work  had 
to  walk  back  to  Germantown,  some  7  or  8  miles,  part  of  it  over  very 
rough  roads  and  it  was  after  2  a.m.  before  we  got  to  our  homes. 

"As  soon  as  Harry  Clay  Council,  No.  7,  had  been  organized,  each 
Council  elected  Representatives  to  meet  in  Town  Hall,  Germantown.  to 
form  a  State  Council  of  the  State  of  Pennsylvania.  Independent  Council, 
No.  8,  was  organized  a  day  or  two  before  the  State  Council  and  was 
represented  on   that  occasion. 

"The  laws  of  Washington  Council  provided  that  its  officers  should 
be  elected  quarterly,  and  that  only  Past  Councilors  should  lie  eligible  as 
Representatives  to  the  State  Council.  I  was  Councilor  of  No.  1.  I  think. 
at  the  time  the  State  Council  was  organized,  hence  was  not  eligible  for 
Representative.  There  were  a  number  of  us  members  of  No.  1  who  formed 
a  curb-stone  committee  outside  of  the  Town  Hall  and  interviewed  every- 
one that  came  out  of  the  meeting  trying  to  find  out  what  was  being  dune 
on  the  inside. 

"At  the  first  election  in  Washington  Council  after  the  organization 
of  the  State  Council,  I  was  elected  Representative  to  the  State  Body, 
and  was  reelected  each  term  until  I  became  State  Councilor.  The  meet- 
ings of  the  State  Council  were  quarterly  for  many  years,  and  in  the 
evenings,  two  or  three  hours  being  sufficient  to  transact  all  the  business; 
at  times  we  were  so  short  of  business,  that  motion-  were  made  to  be  voted 
down,  and  parliamentary  tactics,  such  as  we  could  pick  up,  were  indulged 
in  to  furnish  an  excuse  for  our  meetings.  Some  of  the  meetings  were 
busy  and  exciting  enough,  especially  when  No.  5  would  send  a  Represen- 
tative who  was  a  "kicker"  and  came  to  stir  things  up,  then  the  meetings 
would  get  lively. 

"Our  Order  kept  growing  until  Ellsworth  Council.  No.  14,  was 
organized  at  about  the  beginning  of  the  Civil  War  in  1861,  when  a  great 
many  members  answered  the  call  of  President  Lincoln  and  enlisted  in 
our  country's  service,  some  of  them  never  to  return.  Ellsworth  Council 
organized  into  a  military  company  and  were  enlisted  into  the  govern- 
ment's service.     All  our  Councils  suffered  because  their  members  enlisted, 


32  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

so  that  a  number  of  them  were  compelled  to  suspend  meetings,  No.  1 
being  among  the  number. 

"  Early  in  1862  my  uncle  moved  into  the  center  of  the  city  when 
I  found  it  not  an  easy  thing  to  attend  all  of  the  meetings  of  No.  1, 
because,  as  an  apprentice,  I  did  not  have  much  spending  money  and 
walking  was  not  always  easy;  but  with  my  old  friend,  John  W.  Paul, 
I  attended  the  meetings  of  Relief,  No.  2,  which  was  having  a  great  strug- 
gle, and  sometimes  could  not  get  a  quorum,  and  after  No.  1  suspended 
its  meetings  I  was  granted  a  card  by  the  State  Council  and  joined  No.  2. 
Brother  Paul  and  I,  with  several  others,  worked  hard  to  build  up  No.  2. 
We  used  to  spend  hours  at  night  and  on  Sundays  hunting  for  candidates, 
sometimes  approaching  young  fellows  whom  we  thought  would  make  good 
Juniors,  yet  were  strangers  to  us.  After  a  good  deal  of  work  we  suc- 
ceeded in  building  up  the  Council. 

"  The  State  Council  continued  to  meet  pretty  regularly  during  all 
of  the  Civil  War,  and  towards  its  close  the  body  often  considered  the 
subject  of  how  to  build  up  our  Order  again.  As  our  members  whose  time 
of  enlistment  had  expired  or  for  other  reasons  were  released  from  service, 
some  of  them  again  became  active  in  their  Councils.  At  one  of  the 
sessions  of  the  State  Council  I  made  a  motion  that  two  Representatives 
from  each  Council  be  appointed  to  form  a  convention  with  a  view  to 
reorganize  all  Councils  that  still  were  suspending  their  meetings.  This 
convention  held  several  meetings,  when  finally  it  was  proposed  that  we 
volunteer  to  form  committees  each  agreeing  to  reorganize  one  Council. 
I  agreed  to  take  up  Eagle,  No.  3,  and  hunted  up  Theodore  Rose  who  had 
returned  home  from  the  army,  and  we  started  in  and  after  considerable 
hard  work,  succeeded  in  reorganizing  the  Council,  and  to  please  those  I 
had  secured  as  members,  I  drew  my  card  from  No.  2  and  deposited  it 
in  Eagle  Council,  No.  3,  where  I  since  have  continued.  There  was  a  joke 
in  the  Order  at  the  time,  that  I  was  going  all  through  the  organization, 
but  that  it  grew  so  fast  that  I  could  not  keep  up. 

"  After  the  close  of  the  war,  mainly  through  the  efforts  of  Brother 
E.  S.  Deemer,  assisted  by  some  others,  the  Order  grew  very  rapidly. 
Councils  were  reorganized  in  different  parts  of  the  state,  in  New  Jersey 
and  Delaware,  and  those  who  went  to  organize  Councils  had  the  privi- 
lege of  doing  the  work  and  generally  paying  their  own  expenses,  as  the 
income  of  the  State  Council  was  small,  and  the  only  recompense  was 
the  fun  they  got  out  of  their  trips.     We  often  had  funny  experiences. 

"  After  State  Councils  had  been  organized  in  New  Jersey  and  Dela- 
ware, the  three  states  sent  Representatives  to  form  a  National  Council. 
At  that  time  I  was  elected  National  Councilor  and  Brother  Deemer 
National  Secretary.  In  making  laws  for  the  government  of  the  National 
Council,  the  first  term  was  three  months,  at  the  end  of  which  I  was 
reelected  National  Councilor  and  served  the  full  term  of  one  year. 
Brother  Deemer  was  reelected  National  Secretary,  and  has  been  continued 
in  that  position  ever  since.  During  the  early  days  of  the  National 
Council,  one  day  was  sufficient  to  transact  all  the  business,  and  give 
plenty  of  time  to  the  Representatives  to  enjoy  themselves  during  the  noon 
recess. 

"  I  have  enjoyed  many  pleasant  times  attending  the  sessions  of  the 
State  Council  of  Pennsylvania  and  the  National  Council,  and  have  met 
many  brothers  whose   friendship   I   appreciate,   and   believe   I   have  been 


UNITED  AMERICAN   MECHANICS  88 

repaid  for  the  time  given  in  the  service  of  the  Order.  One  of  the  trips 
made  in  organizing  Councils  of  the  Order  that  has  ever  remained  fresh 
in  my  memory,  was  to  Baltimore,  with  Brother  Deemer,  to  organize 
Baltimore  Council,  No.  1.  On  reaching  the  city,  we  were  met  by  Brother 
J.  Adam  Sohl  and  a  number  of  others  who  were  to  form  the  Council,  and 
after  going  to  our  hotel,  we  were  taken  to  an  oyster  house  where  we  were 
filled  with  oysters  in  the  various  styles  that  only  Baltimore  can  furnish. 
After  that  we  went  to  the  hall  and  instituted  the  Council,  following  which 
we  were  again  taken  to  an  oyster  house  and  filled  with  oysters.  We  did 
not  get  to  our  hotel  until  nearly  2  a.m.  We  went  to  bed,  but  having 
eaten  so  many  oysters,  I  could  not  sleep,  so  I  got  up  and  walked  the 
floor  for  some  time  before  I  could  rest.  When  we  left  Philadelphia  we 
had  agreed  to  indxilge  in  a  peck  of  Baltimore's  steamed  oysters,  and 
when  we  returned  we  felt  as  if  we  had  eaten  several  bushels  of  them. 

"  Many  of  the  active  members  of  our  Order  who  have  been  doing 
such  good  work,  and  some  of  them  have  had  great  difficulties  to  encounter, 
in  the  past  25  years,  yet  I  doubt  if  they  have  ever  fully  realized  what 
had  to  be  encountered  by  us  old  members  who  were  the  pioneers  in  building 
up  the  Jr.  0.  U.  A.  M. ;  and  though  it  was  composed  of  boys  in  its  early 
days,  they  worked  and  built  up  an  organization  which,  I  think,  has 
proved  to  have  done  good  work  and  has  been  of  service  to  the  country." 

A  very  interesting  event  took  place  in  the  hall  of  Washington 
Council,  No.  1,  on  the  evening  of  April  26,  1895,  and  we  let 
Brother  Deemer  recite  it  as  taken  from  his  report  to  the  National 
Council  at  its  session  held  same  year : 

"  A     NOTEWORTHY    EVENT 

"  On  Friday  evening,  April  26th,  an  event  of  unusual  importance 
took  place  in  Washington  Council,  No.  1,  of  Pennsylvania,  it  being  the 
readmission  of  Brother  Charles  P.  Haupt  to  membership  therein.  This  was 
followed  on  the  night  of  the  loth  of  May  by  Winona  Council,  No.  63, 
receiving  to  membership  Brothers  Jacob  Keyser  and  Samuel  Colladay. 
Why  the  admission  of  these  three  brothers  is  deemed  to  be  of  sufficient 
importance  to  be  alluded  to  in  a  report  to  the  National  Council,  is 
explained  in  the  fact  that  these  three  brothers  were  of  the  original  num- 
ber who  had  instituted  the  Junior  Order  of  United  American  Mechanics 
on  the  17th  of  May,  1853.  At  the  expiration  of  forty-two  years  they 
returned  to  the  fold,  but  the  occasion  was  far  different.  The  Concord 
Schoolhouse  was  within  a  stone  throw,  but  the  handful  that  gathered 
together  on  the  occasion  had  grown  until  now  it  has  taken  root  in  forty 
states,  and  comprises  a  membership  of  over  one  hundred  and  fifty  thou- 
sand. That  it  was  deemed  an  occasion  of  more  than  ordinary  interest  is 
evidenced  from  the  fact  that  Washington  Council  designated  Past  National 
Councilor  John  W.  Calver,  initiated  September,  1859,  to  receive  Brother 
Haupt,  while  Winona  conferred  the  honor  upon  myself,  initiated  February 
22,  1860,  to  receive  Brothers  Keyser  and  Colladay. 

"  What  their  emotions  were  can  be  better  imagined  than  described." 

The  name  of  Gideon  D.  Harmar  has  been  referred  to  as  one  of 
the  principal  factors  in  the  creation  of  the  Jr.  0.  U.  A.  M.  and  the 

3 


34  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

institution  of  Washington  Council,  No.  1.  For  nearly  fifty  years 
this  patriot  and  brother  lived  to  see  the  infant  organization  which 
he  helped  create  become  a  full-grown  and  powerful  body  of  nearly 
200,000  members,  distributed  throughout  more  than  forty  states 
and  territories  of  the  Union.  His  death  occurred  in  1900,  upon 
which  Washington  Council,  No.  1,  at  a  meeting  held  on  Monday 
evening,  April  30,  1900,  adopted  the  following  resolutions  and  pre- 
sented same  at  the  meeting  of  the  National  Council,  held  same 
year  in  Philadelphia,  which  body  set  apart  a  memorial  page  to  his 
memory : 

"  Whereas,  In  view  of  the  loss  that  the  community  has  sustained 
by  the  death  of  Gideon  D.  Harmar,  and  the  still  heavier  loss  by  those 
nearest  and  dearest  to  him.     Therefore,  be  it 

"Resolved,  That  it  is  but  a  jiist  tribute  to  the  memory  of  tbe 
departed  to  say  that  in  regretting  his  removal  from  our  midst,  we  mourn 
for  one  who  was  in  every  way  worthy  of  our  respect  and  regard. 

"  Resolved — That  in  the  death  of  Gideon  D.  Harmar,  Washington 
Council,  No.  1,  Junior  Order  United  American  Mechanics,  and  our  beloved 
Order,  lament  the  loss  of  a  friend  in  whose  brain  originated  the  idea  of 
our  Order,  and  to  whose  active  efforts  Washington  Council,  No.  1,  Junior 
Order  United  American  Mechanics,  owes  its  very  existence. 

"  Resolved — That  we  tenderly  condole  with  the  family  of  the  deceased 
in  the  hour  of  trial  and  affliction,  and  devoutly  commend  them  to  the 
keeping  of  Him  who  is  a  husband  to  the  widow  and  a  father  to  the 
fatherless. 

"  Resolved — That  these  resolutions  be  spread  upon  the  records  of 
this  Council,  a  copy  thereof  be  transmitted  to  the  family  of  the  deceased, 
published  in  the  local  papers,  and  one  sent  to  the  National  Council, 
Junior  Order  United  American  Mechanics,  and  to  the  State  Council  of 
Pennsylvania. 

"  Robert  S.  Williams,  Councilor. 

"  Charles  W.  Layer,  Recording  Secretary." 


CHAPTER    III 
3.  NAME— SIGNIFICANCE— PROPOSED    CHANGES 

ORIGINAL    PURPOSE    OF    THE   ORDER 

WE  have  come  down  for  more  than  half  a  century,  as  an  Order. 
with  a  name,  that  to  some  extent  is  prescriptive,  and  at 
present  is  a  misnomer.  That  the  Junior  Order  United  American 
Mechanics  was  true  to  name  in  its  origin,  none  can  gainsay;  that 
it  now  represents  purposes,  aims  and  objects  not  associated  with  its 
opening  life,  all  admit. 

To  such  an  extent  did  immigration  of  aliens  affect  the  mechani- 
cal and  labor  interests  of  the  country  sixty  to  seventy  years  ago, 
that  American  mechanics  and  workingmen  felt  that  their  only 
safety  was  in  organization.  In  the  filling  of  positions  in  the 
various  trades,  there  was  a  tendency,  as  now,  of  employers  ignor- 
ing native  labor  in  favor  of  foreign  labor.  To  check  this  trend 
of  favoritism,  mechanics,  representing  the  trades  in  Philadelphia, 
formed  an  organization  among  themselves  for  their  protection,  and 
gave  it  the  name  of  Order  of  United  American  Mechanics  of  the 
United  States.  This  organization,  as  elsewhere  stated,  was  founded 
July  8,  1845,  and  its  objects  expressed  were  entirely  for  mutual 
help  by  encouraging  each  other  in  business  and  assisting  one  another 
in  securing  employment.  Hence,  in  its  origin,  operative  mechanics 
only  and  men  who  toiled  with  the  hands  were  eligible  to  member- 
ship in  the  Order,  and  then  only  when  they  had  arrived  at  the 
21st  birthday.  As  already  referred  to  in  another  chapter,  the 
"bo}rs"  were  organized  into  an  association  in  1853,  with  similar 
objects  and  aims  as  the  0.  U.  A.  M.,  and  were  called  "  Junior " 
0.  U.  A.  M.  An  additional  object,  however,  was  framed  for  the 
new  organization,  as  follows : 

"  To  prepare  the  youth  of  America  to  become  members  of  the 
O.  U.  A.  M.  when  they  arrive  at  the  proper  age." 

It  is  clear  then  that  the  original  intention  of  the  founder-  of 
the  Junior  Order  was,  that  it  should  be  an  organization  for  "  lx»ys  " 
onty,  as  well  as  a  labor  organization.  That  it  should  be  no  more 
than  a  "  Sunday  School  "  where  the  "  catechism  "  should  be  studied 
before  entering  the  "high  church"  of  the  0.  U.  A.  M.  For  years 
the  Jr.  0.  U.  A.  M.  was  distinctly  a  junior  as  well  as  a  labor  organ- 
ization, and  rightfully  bore  its  name.  The  State  Council  of  Penn- 
sylvania, in  1870,  adopted  resolutions  treating  on  the  labor  question, 

35 


36  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

and  in  1871,  the  same  body  adopted  resolutions  on  the  same  subject, 
the  preamble  of  which  reads : 

"  Whereas,  We  recognize  that  the  question  of  labor  is  one  in  which 
we  are  particularly  interested."' 

With  such  proscriptive  features,  it  was  apparent  to  the  leaders 
of  the  Order  that  the  Jr.  0.  U.  A.  M.  would  be  handicapped  in  its 
work.  Coupled  with  the  indifference  of  the  0.  TJ.  A.  M.  towards 
the  Order  and  their  failure  to  give  more  than  a  passive  recognition 
of  the  purposes  of  the  organization,  the  Juniors  were  early  im- 
pressed that  the  only  course  to  pursue  was  to  become  independent, 
and  efforts  in  both  the  State  Council  of  Pennsylvania  and  the  Na- 
tional Council  were  made  to  strike  out  the  Fifth  Object  entirely, 
which  required  the  Juniors  to  unite  with  the  0.  U.  A.  M.  when  they 
arrived  at  the  age  of  21.  At  the  session  of  the  State  Council  of 
Pennsylvania,  held  July  21,  1870,  a  resolution  to  strike  out  the 
Fifth  Object  was  indefinitely  postponed.  The  first  blow,  however, 
was  struck  at  the  session  of  the  State  Council  of  Pennsylvania,  in 
1871,  when  a  resolution,  as  follows,  was  carried : 

"  Resolved,  That  it  be  left  to  the  option  of  each  Council  whether 
members  of  the  O.  U.  A.  M.  shall  be  admitted  to  the  session." 

Instructions  were  given  by  same  body  to  her  Representatives 
to  the  National  Council  at  various  times  in  the  seventies  to  ask  the 
National  Body  to  increase  the  age  limit  for  eligibility  to  member- 
ship, as  well  as  to  strike  out  the  Fifth  Object.  Agitation  was  kept 
up  relative  to  the  subject  until  1878,  when  the  National  Councilor, 
in  his  report,  recommended  the  striking  out  of  the  Fifth  Object, 
which  was  accomplished  at  the  following  session  in  1879  by  a  vote 
of  16  to  15,  and  the  action  was  reasserted  by  the  National  Body  at 
its  session  at  Haverhill,  Mass.,  in  1881,  by  a  vote  of  22  to  9,  when 
the  ties  that  existed  between  the  two  Orders  were  completely  severed, 
and  the  "  Junior  "  in  reality  was  no  more.  The  word  "  Mechanic," 
as  well  as  the  word  "  Junior,"  was  true  to  name  until  1883,  when 
the  National  Council,  at  its  session  in  Philadelphia,  struck  from 
the  Ritual  the  words  "  American  Mechanics  and  Workingmen," 
and  inserted  "  American  people."  This  was  the  beginning  of  a  new 
era  in  the  Order,  when  the  ties  from  the  older  organization  were 
sundered,  and  when  others  than  mechanics  and  workingmen  could 
unite  with  the  organization. 

The  name,  therefore,  as  it  stands  to-day,  is  a  misnomer — that 
is,  it  does  not  represent  what  we  are  as  an  organization.  But 
after  all,  what  of  it.  It  is  not  the  mere  phraseology  we  are  after ; 
it  is  the  significance  of  it.     In  other  words,  it  is  what  we  are  that 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  37 

should  be  scrutinized,  vjhat  we  have  done  and  are  still  doing  under 
the  caption  of  the  name  we  love  so  well.  Other  organizations  are 
as  much  misnomers  as  ours,  yet  no  one  thinks  of  criticizing  them 
because  of  that  fact.  Masonry  is  known  the  world  over.  For 
ages,  long  before  King  Solomon  built  the  Temple  at  Jerusalem, 
Masonry  was  true  to  name — it  was  a  body  of  masons — builders 
of  temples  and  castles.  But  every  one  knows  that  Masonry  is  not 
that  to-day;  but  is  speculative  and  borrows  the  terms  and  tools 
allied  with  masons  to  represent  more  noble  and  glorious  purposes 
of  molding  and  fashioning,  through  symbols,  human  character. 
"  Odd  Fellows  "  are  not  "  odd,"  no  odder  than  other  men,  yet  the 
name  given  them  in  derision  has  proven  such  a  talisman  of  power 
for  good,  in  visiting  the  sick,  helping  the  distressed,  burying  the 
dead  and  caring  for  the  widow  and  orphan,  that  the  world  would 
think  it  an  "  odd  "  thing  to  change  their  name. 

Hence  we  should  not  become  impatient,  for  the  nation  will 
soon  overlook  our  seeming  misnomer  and  only  look  at  the  practical 
work  we  are  doing  and  at  the  results  of  that  work,  in  the  mainten- 
ance of  the  public  schools,  the  upholding  of  the  Bible  therein,  the 
restriction  of  undesirable  immigration  and  the  hearty  support  we 
give  our  Orphans'  Home.  What  we  are  and  who  we  are,  is  taught 
in  our  creed — "  Principles,  not  men,"  with  love  of  country  as  our 
chief  corner  stone,  and  "  Virtue,  Liberty  and  Patriotism  "  as  our 
glorious  motto,  a  band  of  patriots,  lovers  of  the  flag  and  all  it 
represents. 

PROPOSED    CHANGES   OF   NAME 

A  recapitulation  of  the  proposed  changes  of  name  from  time 
to  time  offered  in  the  highest  legislative  body  of  the  Order  may 
be  of  interest  to  the  readers  of  this  history. 

The  first  move  made  relative  to  change  of  name,  was  at  the 
National  session  held  at  Philadelphia,  in  1876.  The  Kepresenta- 
tives  from  New  Jersey,  by  instruction  of  their  State  Council,  sub- 
mitted the  following : 

"Resolved,  That  the  name  of  the  Order  be  changed  by  striking  out 
"  Junior  "  and  inserting  something  more  appropriate." 

The  resolution,  however,  was  laid  on  the  table. 

The  Kepresentatives  of  Massachusetts,  carrying  out  the  in- 
structions of  their  State  Council,  at  same  session,  offered  the 
following : 

"  Resolved,  That  the  initial  word  '  Junior  '  in  the  title  of  the  Order 
be  stricken  out  and  the  word  '  Independent '  inserted." 


38  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

The  resolution  met  the  same  fate  as  the  preceding  one. 

No  further  reference  to  change  of  name  was  made  until  the 
session  of  the  National  Council  that  met  at  Haverhill,  Mass.,  in 
1881,  at  which  time  the  following  was  submitted : 

"Resolved,  That  we  strike  out  the  name  of  our  Order  (Junior  United 
American  Mechanics)  and  adopt  the  following  name  instead:  'Independent 
Order  of  Americans.' " 

The  resolution  was  referred  to  the  Committee  on  Revision  of 
the  Order. 


The  Committee  on  the  Revision  of  the  Order  having  been 
appointed  at  the  session  of  1881,  all  matters  pertaining  to  change 
of  objects,  name  or  Ritual  were  referred  to  them,  which  Committee, 
through  the  Secretary,  Brother  Deemer,  submitted  their  approval 
or  disapproval  of  any  proposed  change  referred  to  them.  Relative 
to  the  change  of  name  to  "  Independent  Order  of  Americans,"  the 
Secretary  of  the  Committee  wrote  the  opinion,  disapproving  the 
change  which,  after  being  acted  upon  in  the  Committee  of  the 
Whole  was  concurred  in  by  the  National  Body.  The  opinion  sub- 
mitted by  Brother  Deemer,  on  behalf  of  the  Committee,  was  as 
follows : 

"  I  do  not  endorse  this  change,  nor  favor  any  change  in  the  name 
of  our  Order.  How  many  are  there  in  this  body  who  would  wish  to  change 
their  names  ?  There  are,  of  course,  times  when  a  man  has  very  good  reason 
for  changing  it,  when,  for  instance,  a  fortune  is  to  be  gained  by  it,  but  we 
cannot  see  why  any  man  with  an  untarnished  name  would  wish  to  change 
it.  Our  name  has  been  upon  our  banners  for  nearly  30  years,  and  nothing 
has  been  done  to  disgrace  it.     .     .     . 

"  The  name  proposed,  is  particularly  objectionable.  The  '  Order  of 
United  Americans '  was  a  political  organization,  intensely  proscriptive, 
and  its  similarity  to  the  proposed  one  would  cause  us  to  be  confounded 
with  them.  Then,  too,  the  word  '  Independent,'  while  particularly  appro- 
priate to  Fourth  of  July  orations,  is  contrary  to  facts  and  experience. 
No  nation,  no  family,  no  person  is  independent.  We  are  dependent  upon 
each  other  for  life,  health  and  the  pursuit  of  happiness.  Then,  too,  it 
savors  and  suggests  a  split,  a  quarrel  or  division.  .  .  .  While  I  am 
opposed  to  change  of  name,  I  should  take  more  kindly  to  the  American 
Legion  than  any  other,  and  yet  I  am  not  prepared  to  vote  for  that." 

A  suggestion  was  made  to  the  Committee  to  change  the  name 
to  American  Legion,  which  was  disapproved. 

Chas.  D.  Kidd,  Jr.,  and  Robert  Carson  offered  the  following 
resolution  at  the  session  of  the  National  Council  in  1884,  which 
was  held  at  Georgetown,  D.  C. : 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  39 

"  Believing  that  the  time  has  come  when  our  Order  no  longer  con- 
sists of  mechanics  entirely,  but  of  citizens  of  all  occupations  and  classes; 
and  further,  that  our  present  name  is  a  serious  obstacle  to  our  further 
progress,  we  would  offer  the  following: 

"Resolved,  That  the  name  of  the  Order  be  changed;  the  same  to  be 
submitted  to  a  vote  of  the  entire  Order  on  the  last  meeting  night  of 
September,  1884." 

By  a  vote  of  4  ayes  to  22  nays  the  National  Council  refused 
to  adopt  the  resolution. 

At  the  session  of  the  National  Body  in  1885,  held  at  Harris- 
burg,  Pa.,  two  State  Councils,  through  their  Representatives,  ex- 
pressed their  sentiments  relative  to  a  change  of  name.  One  was 
from  Ohio,  and  was  as  follows : 

"The  State  Council  of  Ohio  desires  to  express  it-  sentiments  regard- 
ing the  change  of  name  of  our  Order. 

"  We  believe  that  the  words  '  Junior  '  and  '  Mechanics  '  are  unsuited 
for  such  an  Order  as  ours,  and  by  conveying  false  impressions  regarding 
our  objects,  which  seriously  retard  our  growth, 

"  We,  therefore,  earnestly  request  the  National  Council  to  pass  a  reso- 
lution which  will  submit  the  matter  to  a  general  vote  of  the  Order." 

The  other  expression  was  in  the  form  of  a  communication  from 
members  of  the  New  Jersey  delegation,  expressing  the  wishes  of 
their  State  Council,  which  was  as  follows : 

"  By  direction  of  the  State  Council  of  New  Jersey,  we  recommend 
that  the  name  of  the  Order  (Junior  Order  United  American  Mechanics) 
be  stricken  out  and  insert  the  name  of  '  American  Legion  '  instead." 

In  consideration  of  the  question,  the  point  of  order  was  raised 
that  the  last  recommendation  being  in  the  form  of  an  amendment 
to  the  Constitution  of  the  National  Council,  must  have  the  signa- 
tures of  the  members  from  two  different  states.  The  National 
Councilor  decided  the  point  of  order  well  taken;  whereupon,  the 
following  was  substituted,  in  conformity  with  the  law,  and  was 
signed  by  members  of  the  National  Body  from  New  Jersey  and 
Delaware : 

"We  offer  the  following  amendment  to  Art.  1,  Constitution  of  the 
National  Council: 

"Strike  out  all  between  the  word  'as'  on  first  line  to  the  word 
'it'  on  fourth  line,  and  insert  the  following  as  the  name  of  this  body, 
'  American  Legion.'  " 

By  a  vote  of  16  to  9,  the  amendment  was  not  adopted. 


The  friends  of  a  change  of  name  fared  no  better  at  the  annual 

session  of  the  National  Body,  winch  was  held  at  Richmond,  Ya..  in 


40  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

1886.     A  resolution  from  the  State  Council  of  New  Jersey  was  pre- 
sented and  was  as  follows : 

"  By  direction  of  the  State  Council  of  New  Jersey  we  submit  the 
following : 

"  Resolved,  That  the  name  Jr.  O.  U.  A.  M.  be  stricken  out." 

A  motion  to  adopt  was  defeated  by  a  vote  of  ayes,  10,  nays,  21. 


The  subject  of  change  of  name  came  up  at  the  sessions  of  the 
National  Council  in  1887  and  1888.  At  the  former  session,  held 
at  Baltimore,  Mar}rland,  the  following,  signed  by  the  Representa- 
tives of  Ohio  and  New  York,  was  submitted : 

"  We,  the  Representatives  of  the  States  of  Ohio  and  New  York,  do 
offer  the  following  resolution,  That  these  words  of  Sec.  1,  Art.  1,  of  the 
National  Council  Constitution,  '  Junior  Order  United  American  Mechanics ' 
be  stricken  out  and  insert  the  following,  '  United  Sons  of  America.' " 

The  resolution  having  been  laid  over,  it  came  up  for  consider- 
ation at  the  session  of  1888,  at  which  time  a  substitute  was  offered 
to  insert  "  United  Order  of  Americans,"  instead  of  the  above  pro- 
posed change.  Both  the  substitute  and  the  original  proposition 
failed  of  concurrence  in  the  final  action  on  the  part  of  the  National 
Body.  The  necessity  for  a  change  of  name  seemed,  in  the  minds 
of  some  members  of  the  National  Council,  very  apparent,  hence 
another  proposal  was  submitted  at  the  latter  session,  and  laid 
over  until  next  meeting.     It  was  as  follows : 

Section  1.  "  We  respectfully  otter  the  following  amendment  to 
Article  1,  National  Council  Constitution :  Strike  out  the  words  '  Junior 
Order  United  American  Mechanics,'  and  insert  '  Independent  Order  of 
United  Americans.'  " 


The  National  Council  that  met  at  Haverhill,  Mass.,  in  1889, 
gave  considerable  attention  to  the  subject  of  "  Change  of  Name." 
Brother  Deemer,  in  his  report  to  the  National  Body,  has  this  to  say : 

"  The  member  who  is  alive  to  the  sentiments  of  the  Order  at  large, 
cannot  be  ignorant  of  the  fact  that  sentiment  in  favor  of  changing  the 
name  of  the  Order  is  spreading  every  year.  The  oldest  of  us  remember 
when  it  could  number  but  a  corporal's  guard  in  this  body,  and  we  have 
seen  it  increase  until  the  sentiment  is  permeating  the  entire  Order. 
Pennsylvania  has  always  opposed  the  change,  but  at  this  session  her 
Representatives  come  instructed  to  favor  submitting  to  the  Order  at  large, 
a  limited  number  of  names  for  choice ;  and  unless  other  States  have  changed 
their  views,  which  is  hardly  probable,  this  will  secure  the  passage  of  a 
resolution  looking  to  a  change.  Let  us  approach  the  consideration  of  the 
subject  fully  realizing  our  responsibility,  and  with  an  eye  single  to  the 
good  of  the  Order,  discuss  it  calmly,  considerately  and  thoughtfully." 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  41 

The  Representatives  of  Pennsylvania,  as  alluded  to  by  Brother 
Deemer.  submitted  the  following: 

"  In  pursuance  of  the  instructions  from  the  State  Council  of  Pennsyl- 
vania, we  offer  the  following  resolution:  That  the  question  of  changing 
the  name  of  our  Order  be  submitted  to  the  entire  membership  of  the  Order, 
to  be  decided  by  a  vote  taken  in  every  Council  in  the  United  States,  the 
name  to  be  chosen  from  a  list  proposed  in  the  National  Council  and  sub- 
mitted to  each  Subordinate  Council." 

Following  the  adoption  of  the  above  resolution,  a  Committee 
was  appointed  to  prepare  a  list  of  names,  as  proposed,  and  submit 
to  the  National  Body,  which  was  subsequently  done,  as  per  the 
following  report: 

"  Your  Committee  on  Change  of  Name  of  the  Order,  refer  the  fol- 
lowing for  action: 

Jr.  O.  U.  A.  M. 

Native  American  Patriots. 

P.  O.  Native  Americans. 

Order  Loyal  Americans. 

Independent  Order  United  Americans. 

The  Order  of  the  United  States. 

The  Order  of  the  American  Republic. 

American  Legion. 

"  While  we  submit  this  large  number  of  names,  the  committee  are 
unanimous  in  favor  of  the  last  named,  '  American  Legion,'  and  would 
recommend  that  this  name  be  laid  before  the  organization  for  a  vote." 

A  motion  to  accept  the  report  and  adopt  it  was  made,  but  had 
no  second.  G.  Howell  Arthur  moved  to  postpone  further  consid- 
eration of  the  subject  and  take  up  the  amendment  laid  over  from 
last  session,  to  strike  out  Jr.  0.  U.  A.  M.  and  insert  "  Independent 
Order  of  United  Americans,"  which  was  not  agreed  to.  Upon  a 
reconsideration  of  the  vote,  the  motion  of  Brother  Arthur  was 
agreed  to.  A  motion  was  then  made  to  adopt  the  proposed  amend- 
ment, whereupon,  Brother  Marlin  moved  that  the  consideration  of 
the  amendment  be  postponed,  and  the  name  of  Order  of  United 
Americans,  together  with  the  remaining  names  suggested,  be 
referred  to  the  Order  for  a  vote,  was  defeated  by  ayes  20,  nays  27. 
Brother  Arthur  then  moved  to  strike  out  of  the  proposed  amend- 
ment "  Independent  Order  of  United  Americans  "  and  insert  "  The 
American  Legion  ";  which,  by  a  vote  of  35  to  6  was  agreed  to  and 
the  action  of  the  National  Council  was  submitted  to  the  vote  of 
the  Order  in  October  following. 


42  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

The  National  Body  met  in  the  City  of  Chicago,  111.,  in  1890, 
at  which  time  the  Committee  appointed  to  count  the  vote  of  the 
Subordinate  Councils  relative  to  a  Change  of  Name,  made  their 
report.  The  result  of  the  vote  was  overwhelmingly  against  the 
proposition,  as  per  the  following  report: 

"Resolved,  That  in  view  of  the  fact  of  the  vote  on  change  of  name 
to  American  Legion  being  almost  unanimous  against,  that  this  Committee 
considered  it  unnecessary  to  count  the  vote,  as  the  figures  from  a  majority 
of  the  Councils  have  already  been  published  in  the  Journals  of  the  Order." 

The  report  was  not  accepted,  whereupon,  the  tabulated  vote  was 
submitted  as  follows: 

POE  AGAINST 

Pennsylvania     520  9,036 

Ohio    368  686 

Massachusetts     32  192 

New  Jersey   340  805 

Washington     7  18 

New  York    118  0 

Wisconsin     9  7 

Illinois    25  0 

Indiana     1  14 

Virginia   9  331 

West  Virginia    40  132 

Alabama     15  0 

Missouri    20  2 

Delaware    13  2 

North   Carolina    1  21 

New  Hampshire   24  99 

Maryland    30  360 

Total,         1,625  11,732 

This  very  large  vote  against  a  change  of  name,  however,  did 
not  daunt  its  supporters  in  the  National  Body,  for  another  resolu- 
tion on  the  same  subject  was  at  once  presented  and  read  as  follows : 

"  Strike  out  the  words  '  Junior  Order  United  American  Mechanics ' 
and  insert  the  words  '  Order  United  Americans.'  " 

The  resolution  was  adopted  and  referred  to  the  Subordinate 
Councils  for  a  vote. 


The    name    "  Order    United    Americans/'    as    per    resolution 
adopted  at  the  last  session,  was  submitted  to  the  Subordinate  Coun- 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  43 

cils  and  the  result  of  the  vote  thereon  was  reported  to  the  National 
Council  which  met  at  Cleveland,  Ohio,  1891.  The  tabulated  report, 
by  states,  is  as  follows: 

FOR  AGAINST 

Pennsylvania    3,777  8,409 

Ohio    1,389  938 

New  Jersey 956  704 

West  Virginia    89  78 

Virginia   . . 110  785 

Illinois    559  5 

Maryland     80  362 

Massachusetts    164  80 

New  York   69  44 

Indiana     24  1 

Florida    10  0 

New   Hampshire    20  95 

Louisiana    20  0 

Missouri    8  0 

Delaware   15  3 

Wisconsin    78  3 

Texas   22  2 

Washington    70  17 

Total,         7,406  11,580 

Notwithstanding  the  defeat  of  the  resolution,  it  was  reintro- 
duced, adopted  by  a  vote  of  37  to  13,  and  again  sent  back  to  the 
Subordinate  Councils. 

The  National  Council  for  the  year  1892  was  held  at  Atlantic 
City,  and  the  report  on  the  vote  on  Change  of  Name  was  submitted 
to  the  body  by  the  Committee  appointed  to  count  the  vote.  The 
vote  in  the  Subordinate  Councils  had  been  taken  somewhat  different 
than  the  previous  year,  the  membership  being  asked  to  express  by 
their  vote  preference  for  the  old  name  or  the  new  one  suggested. 
After  throwing  out  nearly  4,000  votes  that  were  irregular  or  imper- 
fect, the  vote  stood  as  follows : 

In  favor  of  retaining  old  name 14,324 

In  favor  of  Order  United  Americans 6,673 

The  question  of  Change  of  Name  was  not  brought  up  before 
the  National  Body,  following  the  defeat  of  the  proposition  by  the 
Order  in  1891,  until  189G,  when  the  Representatives  of  the  State 
of  Massachusetts,  by  instructions  of  their  State  Council,  presented 


44  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

a  memorial  on  the  question  at  the  session  of  the  National  Body,  held 
at  Denver,  Colo.     The  Memorial  was  as  follows: 

"  Whereas,  The  word  '  Junior '  in  the  title  of  the  '  Junior  Order  of 
American  Mechanics  '  having  been  adopted  when  this  Order  was  the  sub- 
ordinate branch  of  the  Order  United  American  Mechanics,  popularly  known 
as  the  Seniors,  and  retained  when  this  Order  became  a  separate  organiza- 
tion; and 

"  Whereas,  The  word  '  Junior,'  while  it  really  means  younger,  is 
also  indicative  in  the  popular  mind  of  a  condition  of  subordination  and 
dependence,  which  idea  is  sedulously  cultivated  by  many  who  are  opposed 
to  this  order;  and 

"  Whereas,  This  order  has  the  largest  membership  of  the  native 
American  orders,  and  is  the  only  one  with  an  organization  in  every  State 
in  the  Union;  therefore  be  it 

"  Resolved,  That  the  time  has  come  to  strike  out  the  word  '  Junior  ' 
from  our  title  and  insert  in  place  of  it  some  word  expressive  of  the  fact 
that  this  order  is  a  national  one  and  independent  of  any  other,  and  stands 
first  in  point  of  membership  of  all  native  American  orders;  and 

"  Resolved,  That  the  Representatives  of  the  State  Council  of  Massa- 
chusetts to  the  National  Convention  be,  and  hereby  are  instructed  to  use 
every  honest  and  honorable  method  possible  to  secure  this  result,  and  that 
a  copy  of  these  resolutions  be  sent  to  the  National  Board  of  Officers  and  to 
the  publications  indorsed  by  this  order,  and  all  State  Councils  be  urged  to 
take  some  action  in  regard  to  striking  out  the  word  '  Junior '  and  substi- 
tuting therefor  some  word  illustrative  of  the  fact  that  this  is  the  only 
National  Order  of  American  Mechanics." 

The  National  Council  refused  to  approve  the  resolutions. 


At  the  session  of  the  National  Council,  held  at  Minneapolis, 
Minn.,  in  June,  1899,  after  the  new  code  of  laws  had  been  adopted, 
the  following  was  submitted : 

"  To    the    National    Council,    Jr.  0.  U.  A.  M.,    in    Session    in    Minneapolis, 
June  22,  1899. 

"  Whereas  there  has  been  adopted  at  the  present  session  a  new 
Constitution  and  code  of  laws  for  the  government  of  said  Order;  and 

"  Whereas  by  Article  XVI  of  said  Constitution  provision  is  made 
for  amendments  thereto; 

"  Now,  therefore,  in  conformity  with  said  Article  XVI  we  hereby 
propose  an  amendment  to  said  Constitution  by  changing  the  name  thereof 
from  '  The  Junior  Order  of  United  American  Mechanics  '  to  '  United  Ameri- 
cans/ and  we  ask  that  such  action  be  taken  by  this  body  upon  said  pro- 
posal  as  may  be   consonant  with   its  laws   and   Constitution. 

"  H.  H.  Eddy,  Colorado, 

"  Smith  W.  Bennett,  Ohio." 

In  accordance  with  the  requirements  of  Article  XVI  of  the 
Revised  Constitution,  the  yeas  and  nays  were  called  and  the  same 


UNITED  AMERICAN   MECHANICS  45 

was  agreed  to;  whereupon,  subsequently,  during  the  session  the 
following  resolution  was  presented  by  Brother  Smith  W.  Bennett, 
of  Ohio : 

"  Whereas,  There  has  been  submitted  at  the  present  session  of  the 
National  Council  a  proposed  amendment  to  the  Constitution  of  said  Order 
to  amend  the  name  of  the  same,  as  stated  in  said  Resolution,  and 

"  Whereas,  Said  amendment  must  be  submitted  to  a  vote  of  the 
several  State  Councils  before  becoming  operative  as  an  amendment;  and  it 
being  considered  necessary  to  have  a  change  made  in  the  Charter  of  said 
Order  if  said  amendment  should  carry  and  be  adopted, 

"  Now  Therefore,  It  is  Ordered  and  Resolved,  By  said  National  Council 
Jr.  O.  U.  A.  M.,  that  the  Board  of  Officers,  be  and  they  are  hereby  authorized, 
to  take  such  steps,  and  incur  such  expense,  as  may  be  necessary  in  their 
opinion,  to  secure  the  accomplishment  of  such  objects.  And  they  are 
further  authorized  and  empowered  to  secure  a  copyright  of  the  name 
of  the  Jr.  0.  U.  A.  M.  and  United  Americans,  if  they  consider  it  necessary 
so  to  do,  and  if  the  same  has  not  been  done." 


In  conformity  with  the  action  of  the  National  Body,  the  sub- 
ject of  Change  of  Name  was  sent  to  the  Secretaries  of  the  various 
State  Councils  for  State  Council  action  thereon.  Eight  State 
Councils  took  action  on  same,  when  a  letter  from  the  National 
Councilor,  as  published  below,  stopped  further  action  by  the  re- 
mainder of  the  State  Councils.  Of  the  State  Councils  that  took 
action,  two,  Indiana  and  Missouri,  voted  to  change  name  to 
"  United  Americans,"  while  the  District  of  Columbia,  Illinois, 
Maine,  New  York,  Oregon  and  West  Virginia  voted  against  the 
proposed  change. 

The  letter  referred  to  above  was  as  follows: 

"  It  has  just  been  brought  to  my  attention  that  there  is  an  organiza- 
tion known  as  the  '  Order  of  United  Americans  '  with  headquarters  in  the 
city  of  Philadelphia,  which  was  instituted  February  19,  1895,  and  incor- 
porated by  a  charter  granted  January  6,  1896. 

"  The  officers  of  this  organization  have  announced  their  purpose  to 
resist  legally  on  the  advice  of  their  attorneys,  any  attempt  on  the  part 
of  the  Junior  Order  United  American  Mechanics  to  change  their  name  to 
'  United  Americans,'  in  accordance  with  the  amendment  adopted  at  Minne- 
apolis, and  which  has  been  referred  to  the  various  State  Councils  for  their 
adoption  or  rejection. 

"  The  National  Councilor  has  been  legally  advised  that  if  this  amend- 
ment is  adopted  by  the  State  Councils,  it  will  be  impossible  for  the  Board 
of  Officers  to  make  it  effective,  for  the  reAson  that  the  courts  of  Pennsyl- 
vania (under  whose  jurisdiction  the  National  Council  is  incorporated) 
will  undoubtedly  refuse  to  grant  an  amendment  to  our  present  charter, 
authorizing  the  change  of  name  to  be  made,  and  also  to  grant  a  new  charter 
under  the  name  of  '  United  Americans,'  because  of  the  '  Order  of  United 
Americans  '  having  already  secured  a  charter. 


46  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

"  In  view  of  this  uncertainty,  and  the  threatened  legal  complications, 
the  National  Councilor  is  of  the  opinion  that  the  best  course  to  be  pursued 
would  be  for  the  State  Councils  to  defer  action  on  the  amendment,  and  let 
the  National  Council  take  the  matter  up  at  its  next  session. 

"  Will   you  please   lay  this   letter   before  your   State   Council   at  its 
coming  session  for  their  information  and  action,  and  oblige 
"  Fraternally  yours, 

"  Charles  Reimeb, 
"  National  Councilor." 

With  the  session  of  the  National  Council  of  1900,  when  the 
above  action  of  the  National  Councilor  was  approved,  the  subject 
of  "  Change  of  Name "  was  "  laid  on  the  shelf,"  so  far  as  the 
National  Council  is  concerned.  It  is  pretty  evident,  if  all  the 
State  Councils  had  voted  on  the  question  at  the  time  designated, 
a  majority  of  them  would  have  voted  against  the  change  proposed ; 
and  while  in  two  particulars,  "  Junior "  and  "  Mechanics,"  the 
name  is  a  misnomer,  still  to-day  there  is  such  a  love  for  the  dear 
old  name  that  it  is  a  question  whether  any  proposed  change  would 
not  go  down  in  a  more  overwhelming  defeat  than  when  the  subject 
was  before  the  Order  in  previous  years. 

And  why  should  there  be  a  change?  For  years  the  writer 
was  an  earnest  advocate  for  a  change,  and  when  State  Councilor 
of  his  State,  Pennsylvania,  in  1897,  one  of  our  recommendations 
was,  that  the  Kepresentatives  to  the  National  Body  be  instructed 
to  support  a  resolution  asking  for  a  change  of  name,  but  the  recom- 
mendation was  not  concurred  in  by  the  State  Body.  To-day,  how- 
ever, our  views  on  the  subject,  by  force  of  circumstances,  are 
changed.  The  insurrection  in  the  Order,  when  the  pirates  within 
tried  to  scuttle  the  old  ship,  has  endeared  us  to  the  old  name. 
Under  its  banner  we  have  fought  our  battles  and  won  our  cause, 
and  in  brighter  colors,  reflecting  precious  memories,  the  dear  name 
stands  out  more  beautiful  and  attractive  than  ever. 


CHAPTER    IV 
4.  OBJECTS— CHANGES   OF   FIFTY    YEARS 

ATEEE  has  roots,  trunk,  branches  and  fruit.  The  perfection 
of  the  fruit  necessarily  depends  upon  the  sustenance  given 
the  branches  by  the  life-giving  vigor  that  finds  its  way  from  the 
roots  deep  down  in  the  earth.  The  deeper  the  roots,  the  healthier 
the  tree  and  consequently  the  more  fruitful  the  branches. 

The  roots  of  the  Junior  Order  United  American  Mechanics, 
deep  down  in  the  great  American  heart,  is  its  motto,  "  Love  of 
Country";  the  trunk,  the  Order  itself;  the  three  spreading 
branches, — Virtue,  Liberty,  Patriotism;  and  the  fruit  of  this 
American  tree,  are  its  Objects  and  Principles,  the  plucking  of 
which  brings  happiness  and  joy  to  thousands  and  vigor  and  strength 
to  American  manhood. 

The  Junior  Order  organization  is  composed  of  native-born 
Americans  whose  object  is  to  maintain  the  laws  and  Constitution 
of  our  country;  to  preserve  inviolate,  civil  and  religious  liberty; 
to  improve  the  moral,  intellectual  and  social  rights  of  its  members, 
and  to  maintain  the  institutions  of  our  Kepublic. 

While  not  a  church,  the  Order  teaches  the  highest  morality, 
and  believes  in  sound  Christian  principles.  These  we  conceive  to 
be  an  open  Bible  both  for  the  home  and  the  public  school ;  entire 
separation  of  church  and  state;  representative  and  constitutional 
form  of  government;  popular  and  free  education  in  the  public 
schools,  with  liberty  of  speech,  press  and  conscience. 

We  believe  in  the  right  of  private  opinions,  that  right  knowl- 
edge for  the  people  promotes  the  establishment  and  conduces  to  the 
perpetuation  of  good  government ;  that  the  schools  are  necessary  to 
general  intelligence  and  essential  to  the  safety  of  the  Union,  and 
that  such  schools  should  be  free  from  ecclesiastical  bias  and  control. 
We  claim  that  allegiance  is  due  the  government  which  extends  to 
and  cares  for  our  lives,  liberty,  honor,  peace,  happiness-  and  pros- 
perity ;  that  it  is  the  duty  of  the  citizen  to  defend  the  constitutional 
authorities  of  his  country  against  corrupt,  hostile  and  alien  in- 
fluences as  well  as  armed  assailants,  to  the  end  that  the  priceless 
heritage  of  civil  and  religious  liberty  now  enjoyed,  as  handed  down 
by  our  forefathers,  may  be  transmitted  unimpaired  to  posterity. 

47 


48  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

To  propagate  and  defend  these  principles,  as  well  as  to  assist 
one  another,  to  visit  the  sick  and  relieve  the  distressed,  care  for 
and  educate  the  orphan,  and  at  the  same  time  to  encourage  virtue 
and  to  uphold  our  free  institutions  and  defend  our  flag,  as  an 
organization,  the  members  of  the  Junior  Order  United  American 
Mechanics  are  bound  together  as  a  brotherhood  by  a  solemn  coven- 
ant made  around  one  common  altar. 

FIRST  OBJECTS 

The  first  Objects  of  the  Order  were  framed  as  follows: 

1.  "To  assist  Americans  in  obtaining  employment. 

2.  "  To  encourage   Americans   in   business. 

3.  "  To  establish  a  sick  and  funeral  fund. 

4.  "  To  prepare  the  youth  of  America  to  become  members  of  the 
Order  of  United  American  Mechanics  and  other  American  Orders  when 
they  arrive  at  the  proper  age. 

5.  "To  use  such  means,  when  able,  as  will  prevent  the  present 
system  of  immigration  of  foreign  paupers  to  our  land." 

At  sometime  during  the  early  history  of  the  Order,  and  by 
some  authority,  of  which  we  have  no  data,  there  must  have  been  a 
change  or  transposition  of  the  Objects,  as  first  adopted,  as  the 
only  one  upon  which  there  was  contention  in  the  subsequent  years 
of  the  organization,  was  what  was  known  at  the  institution  of  the 
Order  as  the  Fourth  Object,  but  subsequently,  as  stated,  was 
changed  to  the  Fifth  Object.  This  Object  was  the  "  bone  of  conten- 
tion "  for  years  until  it  was  entirely  stricken  out,  as  the  following 
pages  will  show. 

PROPOSED  CHANGES 

The  first  effort,  of  which  there  is  any  record,  to  change  or 
remold  the  Objects  of  the  Order,  was  at  the  session  of  the  State 
Council  of  Pennsylvania  (the  Supreme  head  of  the  Order),  April 
15,  1862,  when  a  motion  was  carried  that  a  Committee  of  one  from 
each  Council  be  appointed  to  consider  the  propriety  of  altering  and 
remodeling  the  Order  (presumably  the  Objects)  so  that  members 
could  remain  in  the  organization  after  they  were  21  years  of  age. 

At  a  subsequent  meeting  of  the  State  Body,  the  Committee 
reported  that  they  had  the  whole  of  the  forms  written  out  but  not 
yet  connected  together,  and  asked  to  be  continued.  The  report  was 
accepted,  but  the  Committee  was  discharged,  and  the  first  attempt 
to  change  the  Fifth  Object,  as  well  as  a  reorganization  of  the  entire 
Order,  failed. 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  49 

No  further  attempt  was  made  to  change  the  Objects  until,  al 
a  meeting  of  the  State  Council  of  Pennsylvania,  January  17,  1870, 
the  following  resolution  was  offered : 

"Resolved,  That  the  Fifth  Object  of  this  Order,  which  reads  as 
follows:  'To  prepare  the  youth  of  America  to  become  members  of  the 
0.  U.  A.  M.  when  they  arrive  at  the  proper  age,'  be  stricken  out  entirely." 

In  consideration  of  the  question,  action  thereon  was  indefinitely 
postponed. 

At  the  session  of  the  National  Council,  held  at  Wilmington, 
Delaware,  in  1873,  the  following  clauses  were  offered  to  be  incor- 
porated as  Objects  of  the  Order : 

1.  "To  maintain  the  reading  of  the  Bible  in  the  public  schools. 

2.  "  To  oppose  union  of  church  and  state,  and  the  appropriating  of 
monies   for   sectarian  purposes." 

Also  a  resolution  to  strike  out  the  Fifth  Object  was  presented, 
which,  with  the  proposed  Objects  presented  were,  under  the  law, 
laid  over  until  the  next  session.  However,  the  following  session 
did  not  find  the  members  of  the  National  Body  favorable  to  either 
the  proposed  Objects  or  the  striking  out  of  the  Fifth  Object,  as 
both  propositions  were  indefinitely  postponed.  At  a  special  meet- 
ing of  the  National  Council,  held  February  22,  1875,  the  resolu- 
tion to  strike  out  the  Fifth  Object  was  renewed  and  laid  over. 


No  one  was  more  earnest  in  his  efforts  to  have  the  Fifth 
Object  stricken  out  than  our  late  brother,  Past  National  Councilor 
Harry  Stites.  In  his  report  to  the  National  Council  at  Philadel- 
phia, July  6,  1876,  he  has  this  to  say : 

"  I  would  earnestly  recommend  to  this  National  body,  that  the  Fifth 
Object  of  the  Order  be  stricken  out.  I  do  not  do  this  with  any  ill  feeling 
towards  the  Senior  Order;  but  1  do  it  because  I  consider  it  a  burden  to 
our  Order,  and  by  removing  it  we  will  be  able  to  interest  a  great  many 
parties  over  the  age  of  twenty-one  and  induce  them  to  join  our  Order, 
while  at  the  present  time  they  do  not  feel  like  uniting  with  us." 

The  Committee  to  whom  the  report  of  the  National  Councilor 
was  submitted,  recommended  that  action  be  taken  on  the  proposi- 
tion of  the  presiding  officer.  During  the  consideration  of  the 
question,  the  National  Body  declared  that  it  could  not  consider  the 
subject,  and  it  was  recommitted  to  the  Committee  and  that  they 
proceed  according  to  the  Constitution.  Subsequently,  the  Com- 
4 


50  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

mittee  reported  back  to  the  National  Body,  with  an  amendment  to 
the  National  Councilor's  recommendation,  as  follows: 

"  We  suggest  that  the  National  Secretary  be  instructed  to  transmit 
a  copy  of  the  proposed  alteration  to  each  member  of  this  body,  as  pro- 
vided in  Sec.  2,  Art.  2,  of  the  National  Council  Constitution." 

The  suggestion  was  agreed  to. 


The  question  of  striking  out  the  Fifth  Object  came  up  as 
usual  at  the  session  of  1877,  at  the  annual  meeting  of  the  National 
Body,  held  at  Dayton,  Ohio.  In  the  consideration  of  the  subject, 
on  final  action  being  taken,  it  was  defeated  by  one  vote,  there  being 
10  in  favor  of  striking  out  the  Object  and  11  against.  The  reso- 
lution to  strike  it  out  was  reintroduced  by  P.  S.  C.  Adams,  of  New 
Jersey,  and  again  laid  over  in  accordance  with  law. 


The  question  was  again  brought  before  the  National  Council 
in  1878,  when  National  Councilor  Geo.  W.  Ilgenfritz  submitted  it 
as  one  of  his  recommendations.  Subsequently  a  resolution  to  that 
effect  was  presented,  and  again  the  matter  was  laid  over  for  another 
year. 

When  the  National  Council  met  at  New  Brunswick,  N.  J.,  in 
1879,  the  members  of  the  body  were  ready  for  more  decisive  action 
on  the  question,  of  striking  out  the  Fifth  Object.  The  resolution 
submitted  at  last  session  was  brought  before  the  National  Body, 
whereupon,  Brother  Calver  moved  that  consideration  thereof  be 
postponed  until  the  next  session,  which  was  defeated  by  a  vote  of 
13  to  16.  The  question  coming  to  a  final  test,  by  a  vote  of  16 
ayes  to  15  nays,  the  Object  was  stricken  out,  so  far  as  National 
Council  action  was  concerned,  and  the  preliminary  proceedings 
were  started  looking  towards  the  sundering  of  the  ties  that  held  the 
two  Orders  together.  In  accordance  with  the  Constitution,  the 
following  was  adopted: 

"  Resolved,  That  said  question  be  submitted  to  the  membership  of 
the  Order  for  vote  thereon  at  the  first  meeting  of  each  Council  in  the 
month  of  October  next,  and  the  result  thereon  be  forwarded  to  the  National 
Secretary  under  seal  prior  to  November  1." 


The  National  Council  met  at  Bichmond,  Virginia,  June  15, 
1880.  The  question  of  striking  out  the  Fifth  Object,  as  per  reso- 
lution of  the  last  session  of  the  National  Body,  had  been  submitted 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  51 

to  the  Subordinate  Councils,  with  the  following  tabulated  result, 
which  was  submitted  to  this  session  by  the  Committee  appointed  to 
count  the  vote : 

FOR  AGAINST 

Pennsylvania    444  975 

New    Jersey     239  108 

Maryland     97  11 

New  York    103  23 

Delaware    30  0 

Ohio    76  29 

Massachusetts     42  1 

Vermont     24  0 

The  above  tabulated  vote  resulted  in  1,061  votes  in  favor  of 
striking  out  the  Fifth  Object,  and  1,147  against  the  proposition,  or 
a  majority  of  86,  thereby  not  sustaining  the  action  of  the  National 
Council.  Owing  to  irregularities,  the  Committee  did  not  count 
90  votes  cast  in  favor  of  the  resolution  and  140  that  were  cast 
against  it.  Immediately  after  the  result  of  the  vote  had  been 
announced,  P.  S.  C.  Adams,  of  New  Jersey,  offered  the  following: 

"  Resolved,    That    we    strike   out   the    Fifth    Object    of    our    Order." 

This,  under  the  rules,  was  laid  over  until  next  session. 
The  following,  also,  was  presented  and  laid  over: 

"  In  the  First  Object  of  our  Order,  strike  out  '  American  youth ' 
and  substitute  '  Americans  '." 

An  additional  Object,  to  be  known  as  the  Sixth  Object,  was 
proposed  and  also  laid  over.     It  was  as  follow? : 

"  To  maintain  the  public  school  system  of  the  United  States  of 
America,  to  prevent  sectarian  interference  therewith,  and  uphold  the 
reading  of  the  Holy  Bible  therein." 


At  the  session  of  the  National  Council  in  1881,  which  was  held 
at  Haverhill,  Mass.,  the  question  again  came  up  relative  to  striking 
out  the  Fifth  Object.  In  the  consideration  of  the  subject,  a  motion 
was  made  to  refer  the  matter  to  the  Committee  on  the  Revision 
of  the  Order,  which  failed.  A  direct  vote  then  was  taken,  when, 
for  the  second  time,  and  by  a  more  pronounced  majority  than  was 
given  two  years  previous,  the  National  Body  declared  itself  in  favor 
of  striking  out  the  Object,  the  vote  being  22  in  favor  and  9  against, 
the  total  vote  being  precisely  the  same  as  in  1879,  when  it  was 
16  to  15  in  favor.  The  question  was  again  sent  back  to  the  Sub- 
ordinate Councils  for  their  concurrence  or  non-concurrence. 


52  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

The  other  change  in  Object  and  the  additional  Object  as  sug- 
gested at  the  last  session,  were  each  considered.  The  striking  out 
of  the  words  "  American  youth  "  from  the  First  Object  and  insert- 
ing the  word  "  Americans,"  was  adopted  and  the  same  was  referred 
to  the  Subordinate  Councils.  The  new  Object,  to  be  known  as  the 
Sixth  Object,  which  read  as  follows : 

"  To  maintain  the  public  school  system  of  the  United  States  of 
America,  to  prevent  sectarian  interference  therewith  and  uphold  the  read- 
ing of  the  Holy  Bible  therein," 

was  amended  by  striking  out  all  after  the  word  "  therewith,"  and 
inserting  the  word  "  and  "  after  the  word  "  America,"  so  as  to 
read: 

"  To  maintain  the  public  school  system  of  the  United  States  of 
America,  and  to  prevent  sectarian  interference  therewith." 

After  being  adopted,  the  new  Object  took  the  same  course  as 
the  others  by  being  referred  to  the  Subordinate  Councils. 


The  National  Council  of  1882  met  in  New  York  City,  at  which 
time  the  action  of  the  Subordinate  Councils  relative  to  the  proposed 
changes,  etc.,  of  the  Objects  of  the  Order,  was  reported.  The  fol- 
lowing report  by  the  Committee  appointed  to  count  the  vote  on  the 
various  propositions,  was  submitted : 

1.  To  Amend  First  Object.  Striking  out  "  American  youth  " 
and  inserting  "  Americans,"  the  vote  was  1,747  in  favor  of  striking 
out  and  inserting  and  958  against  the  proposition,  making  a  major- 
ity of  787  in  favor  of  the  amendment. 

2.  The  Sixth  Object.  "  To  maintain  the  public  school  system 
of  the  United  States  of  America,  and  prevent  sectarian  interference 
therewith."  The  vote  on  the  new  Object  was  2,180  in  favor  of 
adopting  it  and  480  against,  being  a  majority  of  1,700  in  favor 
of  the  proposition,  thereby  adding  another  Object  to  the  code  of 
Principles. 

3.  To  Strike  out  the  Fifth  Object.  "  To  prepare  the  youth  of 
America  to  become  members  of  the  0.  U.  A.  M.,  when  they  arrive 
at  the  proper  age."  The  Committee  reported  a  majority  of  568 
in  favor  of  striking  out  the  Object  entirely  by  a  vote  of  1,636  in 
favor  of  the  proposition,  and  1,068  against. 

Thus,  after  years  of  discussion  and  unrest,  the  last  and  really 
only  bond  of  union  between  the  Senior  and  Junior  Orders  was 
severed,  and  from  henceforth,  as  an  independent  organization,  the 
Junior  Order  United  American  Mechanics  has  gone  forth  to  do 
the  great  work  for  which  it  was  instituted. 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  53 

The  strange  procedure  of  the  National  Body  in  1881  in  strik- 
ing out  of  the  proposed  new  Sixth  Ohject  the  words  "  and  uphold 
the  reading  of  the  Holy  Bible  therein,"  was  re-enacted  at  this  ses- 
sion. Brother  Deemer,  as  Secretary  of  the  Committee  on  the  Re- 
vision of  the  Order,  referring  to  the  action  of  the  year  previous, 
stated  that  the  obligation  by  which  the  Past  Councilor's  Degree 
was  conferred,  as  found  in  the  Ritual  of  the  American  Legion,  or 
Commanderies  thereof,  had  the  words,  "  and  uphold  the  reading 
of  the  Holy  Bible  therein,"  and  there  were  those  in  the  National 
Body  who  refused  to  take  the  Degree  on  account  of  this  part  of  the 
obligation,  and  requested  that  it  be  also  stricken  out  as  it  had  been 
in  the  new  Object.  In  the  Committee  of  the  Whole  the  subject 
was  discussed,  Brother  Deemer  among  others  opposed  the  striking 
out  of  the  words  from  the  obligation,  but  a  motion  to  strike  out 
carried  and  when  reported  back  to  the  National  Body,  the  action 
of  the  Committee  was  sustained  by  a  vote  of  15  to  9. 

At  this  same  session,  Past  National  Councilor  S.  H.  Cram 
submitted  a  suggestion  relative  to  the  advisability  of  creating  a  new 
Object  on  the  subject  of  Insurance,  but  the  same  was  disapproved. 

Following  the  action  of  the  National  Council,  as  approved  by 
the  vote  of  the  Subordinate  Councils,  the  Objects  of  the  Order  were 
arranged  as  follows : 

First.  To  maintain  and  promote  the  interests  of  Americans,  and 
shield  them  from  the  depressing  effects  of  foreign  competition. 

Second.  To  assist  Americans  in  obtaining  employment. 

Third.  To  encourage  Americans  in  business. 

Fourth.  To  establish  a  sick  and  funeral   fund. 

Fifth.  To  maintain  the  Public  School  System  of  the  United  States 
of  America,  and  to  prevent  sectarian   interference  therewith. 


The  striking  out  of  the  words  "  and  uphold  the  reading  of 
the  Holy  Bible  therein  "  from  the  proposed  new  Object  during  its 
consideration,  and  which  was  ratified  by  the  action  of  the  Subor- 
dinate Councils,  met  with  dissatisfaction  upon  the  part  of  many 
in  the  National  Body,  whereupon,  at  the  session  of  1883,  held  at 
Philadelphia,  the  following  was  offered: 

"Amend  Objects  of  the  Order,  by  adding  the  following  to  the  Fifth 
Object:   'and  uphold  the  reading  of  the  Holy  Bible  therein'." 

Under  the  law,  the  amendment  was  laid  over  until  next  session. 

At  the  meeting  of  the  National  Council,  held  at  Georgetown, 
D.  C,  1884,  the  above  amendment  was  adopted  and  the  same  was 
referred  to  the  Subordinate  Councils  for  ratification. 


54  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

The  Committee  appointed  to  count  the  vote  taken  on  the  pro- 
posed amendment  to  the  Fifth  Object  relative  to  the  reading  of  the 
Bible  in  the  public  schools,  reported  to  the  National  Body,  at  its 
meeting  at  Harrisburg,  Pa.,  in  1885.  The  following  was  the  total 
vote: 

In  favor  of  amendment 1,694 

Not    in    favor 793 

thereby  adopting  the  amendment  by  a  majority  of  901.     The  Object 
then  read  as  follows : 

Fifth.  '"  To  maintain  the  Public  School  System  of  the  United  States 
of  America,  prevent  sectarian  interference  therewith,  and  uphold  the 
reading  of  the  Holy  Bible  therein." 

Eight  years  rolled  around,  1885-1893,  before  the  subject  of 
change  of  Objects  came  up  for  consideration  in  the  National  Body. 
At  the  session  held  the  latter  year  in  Detroit,  Mich.,  P.  S.  C,  F.  A. 
Buschman,  of  Maryland,  offered  the  following  amendment: 

"  To  strike  out  the  words  '  and  shield  them  from  the  depressing 
effects  of  foreign  competition,'  from  the  First  Object,  so  that  it  shall 
read  as  follows: 

'  First.    To  maintain  and  promote  the  interests  of  Americans.'  " 

A  new  Object  was  proposed  by  Brother  Buschman  to  be  known 
as  the  Sixth  Object,  viz. : 

"  To  oppose  the  union  of  church  and  state,  and  the  appropriations 
of  public  monies  for  sectarian  purposes." 

So  far  as  the  records  show  no  action  was  taken  upon  the  above 
by  the  National  Council,  except  that  they  were  referred  to  the  Law 
Committee,  and  it  is  presumed  that  Committee  disapproved  the 
same. 


By  instructions  of  their  State  Council,  the  Eepresentatives  of 
Pennsylvania  at  the  session  of  the  National  Council  in  1894,  pre- 
sented the  following,  to  be  incorporated  in  the  Principles  of  the 
Order,  or  made  one  of  the  Objects,  but  no  action  thereon  was  taken : 

"  We  believe  that  each  brother  should  own  his  own  home,  and  will 
encourage   and   assist   all   in   rightfully   procuring   the   same." 


When  the  National  Body  met  at  Omaha,  Neb.,  in  1895,  the 
following  peculiar  amendment  to  the  First  Object  was  proposed, 
but  failed  in  passage.  The  part  in  italics  was  the  proposed  amend- 
ment : 


UNITED  AMERICAN   MECHANICS  55 

"To  maintain  and  promote  the  interests  of   Ajmericans  and  shield 

them  from  the  depressing  effects  of  foreign  immigration;  but  nothing  in 
this  declaration  shall  be  construed  as  sanctioning  the  political  ostracism 
of  any  man  of  foreign  birth  who  is  loyal  to  the  principles  of  our  Order, 
and  competent  to  discharge  the  duties  of  the  office  to  which  he  aspires." 


At  the  Denver  session  in  1896,  the  following  were  offered  as 
amendments  to  the  Objects  of  the  Order,  and  laid  over: 

1.  "To  establish  and  erect  an  Orphans'  Home  as  a  home  for  the 
orphans  of  the  deceased  members  of  the  Order,  and  to  maintain  the  same." 

2.  To  combine  the  Second  and  Third  Objects,  as  follows: 

"To  assist  Americans  in  obtaining  employment  and  to  encourage 
them   in  business." 

3.  To  make  the  Fourth  Object  the  Third. 

4.  To  add  as  the  Fourth  Object: 

"  To  establish  a  home  for  orphans  of  deceased  members,"  so  as  to 
read: 

Fourth.  "  To  establish  a  Sick  and  Funeral  Fund,  and  to  establish 
a  home  for  Orphans  of  deceased  members." 


The  above  amendments  having  been  referred  to  the  Law  Com- 
mittee, that  Committee  reported  at  the  Pittsburg  session,  in  1897. 
The  new  Object  relative  to  the  Orphans'  Home  was  approved  by 
the  Committee,  and  the  same  was  adopted  by  the  National  Body, 
and  the  proposition  was  sent  to  the  Subordinate  Councils.  Action 
on  the  other  amendments  was  indefinitely  postponed. 


The  new  Object  relative  to  the  Orphans'  Home,  to  be  known 
as  the  Sixth  Object,  was  ratified  by  the  vote  of  the  membership, 
as  per  report  of  Committee,  at  the  session  of  the  National  Council 
held  at  Louisville,  Ky.,  1898.     The  vote  was  as  follows: 

Number  of  acceptable  votes  cast,  for 19,140 

Number    of    acceptable    votes    cast,    against 16,224 

Majority    in    favor 2,910 

The  states  voting  against  the  new  Object  were: 

FOB  AGAINST 

Pennsylvania    4,908  7,825 

New   York    275  1,117 

New   Jersey    526  4,948 

Ohio,  the  home  of  the  Orphan's  Home,  rolled  up  3,714  in  favor 
and  had  only  79  votes  against  the  proposition. 

When  the  members  of  the  National  Council  met  in  annual 
session  at  Minneapolis,  Minn.,  in  June,  1899,  they  were  presented 


56  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

with  an  entire  new  code  of  laws,  a  new  Constitution,  as  well  as  a 
remodeled  Declaration  of  Principles  and  Objects  of  the  Order.  The 
Objects,  as  reported  by  the  Committee,  and  approved  by  the  Na- 
tional Body,  were  as  follows: 

1.  "To  maintain  and  promote  the  interests  of  Americans  and 
shield  them  from  the  depressing  effects  of  unrestricted  immigration;  to 
assist  them  in  obtaining  employment  and  encourage  them  in  business. 

2.  "  To  establish  an  Insurance  Branch  and  a  Sick  and  Funeral 
fund. 

3.  "  To  uphold  the  American  Public  School  System,  to  prevent  inter- 
ference therewith,  and  to  encourage  the  reading  of  the  Holy  Bible  in 
the  schools  thereof. 

4.  "  To  promote  and  maintain  a  National  Orphans'  Home." 


Following  the  adoption  of  the  Objects  of  the  Order  at  Minne- 
apolis, no  further  change  was  proposed  until  the  session  of  the 
National  Body  at  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  in  1904,  when  a  resolution  was 
offered  to  amend  the  Second  Object  so  that  it  would  read  as 
follows : 

2.  "  To  provide  for  the  creation  of  a  fund  or  funds  for  the  payment 
of  benefits  in  case  of  sickness,  disability  or  death  of  its  members,  to 
members,  their  legal  dependents  or  representatives,  and  to  issue  certifi- 
cates of  membership  for  same." 

The  resolution  was  approved  as  to  form  by  the  Law  Committee 
and  was  adopted  by  the  National  Council  by  a  vote  of  122  to  1. 
The  following  resolution  was  then  adopted : 

"Be  it  Resolved,  by  the  National  Council,  Junior  Order  of  United 
American  Mechanics,  that  the  change  in  the  Objects  of  the  Order  be 
submitted  to  the  membership  of  the  Order  for  their  approval,  said  approval 
to  be  acted  upon  on  the  first  meeting  of  the  Subordinate  Council  in  the 
month  of  August,  and  that  the  National  Secretary  is  hereby  authorized 
to  take  the  necessary  steps  to  carry  into  effect  this  resolution." 

The  following  letter  from  the  Law  Committee  accompanied  the 

above  resolution : 

St.  Louis,  Mo.,  June  22,  1904. 

"  Edward  S.  Deemer,  Secretary  National  Council,  Junior  0.  U.  A.  M. 
"  Dear  Bro.  Deemer. — 
"  The  Committee  on  Law  is  of  the  opinion  that  the  resolution  chang- 
ing the  '  Objects  of  Order,'  while  submitted  to  a  vote  of  the  membership 
to  comply  with  Judge  Audenried's  decision,  and  as  required  by  the  old 
Constitution  prior  to  Minneapolis  meeting,  should  also  be  submitted  to 
a  vote  of  the  State  Councils  under  Article  XVI,  of  the  Constitution." 


At  the  session  of  the  National  Council  in  1905,  which  met 
at  Nashville,  Tenn.,  the  Committee  to  count  the  vote  of  the  Sub- 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  57 

ordinate  Councils,  reported  that  a  total  of  16,880  votes  had  been 
cast;  but  owing  to  irregularities,  the  legal  vote  was  computed  at 
12,023.  Of  these,  8,554  were  in  favor  of  the  change  of  Objects 
and  3,4G9  were  opposed  to  the  change. 

The  vote  by  State  Councils,  as  per  resolution  adopted  at  the 
last  session,  showed  that  every  State  Council  voted  in  favor  of  the 
change  with  the  exception  of  Ohio,  which,  as  per  action  of  its  State 
Body,  protested  against  the  proposed  change,  claiming  that  the  pro- 
cedure was  not  in  harmony  with  law.  The  vote  by  State  Councils 
stood  60  in  favor  and  6  against.  According  to  the  Constitution, 
each  State  Council  is  entitled  to  cast  as  many  votes  as  she  has 
Representatives  in  the  National  Body. 

After  the  changes  of  fifty  years,  beginning  with  five  Objects, 
then  adding  another,  the  Order  now  has  four,  and  are  as  follows : 

OBJECTS   OF  THE   ORDER 

First.  To  maintain  and  promote  the  interests  of  Americans,  and 
shield  them  from  the  depressing  effects  of  unrestricted  immigration;  to 
assist  them  in  obtaining  employment,  and  to  encourage  them  in  business. 

Second.  To  provide  for  the  creation  of  a  fund  or  funds  for  the 
payment  of  benefits  in  case  of  sickness,  disability  or  death  of  its  members, 
their  legal  dependents  or  representatives,  and  to  issue  certificates  of 
membership  for  the  same. 

Third.  To  uphold  the  American  Free  Public  School  System;  to  pre- 
vent any  interference  therewith,  and  to  encourage  the  reading  of  the 
Holy  Bible  therein. 

Fourth.    To  promote  and  maintain  a  National  Orphans'  Home 


CHAPTER   V 
5.    THE    RITUAL 

THE  IMPORTANCE  OF  A  GOOD  RITUAL 

THE  human  body  is  made  up  of  bones,  muscles,  nerves,  organs, 
all  clothed  with  flesh,  and  the  whole  covered  with  skin. 
Though  systematically  arranged,  beautiful  in  form,  it  would  be  but 
a  helpless,  useless  mass  without  blood,  which  is  the  life;  as  the 
inspired  penman  puts  it,  "  For  the  life  thereof  is  the  blood  thereof." 

The  Eitual  of  an  organization  is  the  "  blood  thereof,"  there- 
fore should  be  the  "  life  thereof  " ;  and  if  the  organization  declines 
and  dies,  the  cause,  very  largely,  is  due  to  a  lifeless  Eitual,  or  a 
lifeless  and  indifferent  exemplification  of  the  ritualistic  ceremonies. 

That  which  places  Free  Masonry  the  highest  in  the  family  of 
secret  fraternities,  is  its  Eitual.  From  the  first  to  the  highest  de- 
gree, none  tire  of  the  work,  and  nightly  the  members  sit  quietly 
for  hours  listening  to  the  exemplification  of  its  ancient  and  sublime 
ceremonies,  illustrated  by  symbols  and  veiled  in  allegory,  and  go 
away  more  deeply  impressed  each  time  they  hear  and  see  it.  Other 
Orders  with  three  or  more  degrees,  requiring  as  many  exemplifica- 
tions at  stated  times,  have  flourished  and  maintained  their  hold 
upon  a  community,  while  all  over  this  land  are  scattered  the  wrecks 
of  hundreds  of  defunct  Councils  of  the  Junior  Order  United  Ameri- 
can Mechanics. 

Why  these  wrecks?  Why  have  thousands  of  intelligent  men, 
the  best  of  citizens,  "  dropped  out "  of  the  Order,  who  at  the  same 
time  maintain  their  membership  in  kindred  organizations?  Why 
have  men  who  once  crossed  the  threshold  of  our  Council  halls, 
passed  out  on  the  night  of  their  initiation  never  to  return  thereto  ? 
The  answer  is  found  in  our  Eitual.  A  single  degree,  often  indif- 
ferently and  wretchedly  conferred,  has  driven  more  members  from 
the  Junior  Order  than  all  other  causes  combined;  and  to-day  we 
are  still  legislating  and  "  resolving  "  on  the  subject,  as  our  fathers 
have  been  doing  for  the  past  forty  years,  and  we  are  very  little 
nearer  the  ritualistic  standard  than  when  we  began  agitating  the 
question  of  a  "  change  of  Eitual." 

The  views  of  the  writer  can  be  no  more  clearly  presented  than 
in  a  recommendation  to  the  State  Council  of  Pennsylvania,  when 
State  Councilor,  in  1897,  for  a  three  degree  Eitual,  which  was 
adopted : 

58 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  59 

"That  the  State  Council,  through  its  National  Representatives, 
request  the  National  Council  to  consider  the  practicability  of  adopting  a 
three  degree  Ritual. 

"  A  one  degree  ritual  organization  cannot  long  ilourish  as  it  should 
in  a  nation  of  such  marked  intelligence  as  ours.  The  idea  of  indoctrinating 
a  candidate  in  one  evening  with  ceremonies  less  than  an  hour  long  and 
with  ritualistic  services  often  poorly  and  indifferently  rendered,  is  pre- 
posterous, and  the  lack  of  proper  inculcation  of  historical  and  patriotic 
truth  will  prejudice  intelligent  secret-order  men  against  our  organization. 
Other  Orders  with  three  or  more  degree  rituals  grow  and  prosper  more 
steadily  and  the  work  is  more  binding.  Those  who  have  passed  through 
the  ceremonies  of  these  organizations  know  that  the  first  degree  creates 
in  the  heart  of  the  novice  a  desire  to  unravel  the  second  mystery;  and  when 
at  last  he  is  within  the  inner  chamber  of  mysteries,  he  is  fully  imbued  with 
the  beauty  and  teachings  of  the  Order,  and  is  established  in  its  principles. 

"  Patriotism  is  a  growth,  not  a  sentiment,  and  if  our  Ritual  were 
more  thorough  in  its  work,  and  its  lessons  more  inspiring,  our  organiza- 
tion would  rest  on  a  firmer  foundation  and  our  influence  would  be  more 
powerfully  felt." 

CHANGES  OF  RITUAL,  ANTE-NATIONAL  COUNCIL 

But  this  chapter  is  not  to  be  devoted  to  "  airing  "  the  views 
of  the  writer  on  the  question  of  Ritual,  but  rather  to  give  a  con- 
nected historical  review  of  the  subject,  referring  to  the  suggested 
changes  and  subsequent  revisions  of  the  .Ritual  in  the  highest  legis- 
lative body  of  the  Order.  While  under  another  head  the  changes 
proposed  and  adopted  are  referred  to,  still  in  the  writer's  opinion, 
it  was  thought  best  to  arrange,  under  one  or  more  chapters,  a  fuller 
detailed  account,  so  the  reader  of  the  Order's  history  may  follow 
more  closely  the  connectional  outline  of  the  subject. 

It  was  said  at  one  of  the  sessions  of  the  National  Body,  when 
the  subject  of  the  Ritual  was  under  consideration,  "  The  members 
of  the  Junior  Order  are  ritualistically  mad."  Whether  true  or  not, 
it  is  a  fact  that  the  agitation  on  the  subject,  annually,  has  been 
the  rule,  and  the  Order  is  still  "  at  sea  "  on  the  question  and  the 
matter  is  now  (1907)  in  the  hands  of  a  Committee  to  report  to  the 
National  Council  at  its  biennial  session  to  be  held  at  Detroit  in 
1909.  ' 

The  first  Ritual  of  the  Order  was  prepared  by  Wra.  M.  Weck- 
erly,  State  Council  Secretary  of  the  0.  U.  A.  M.,  and  was  similar 
to  that  used  by  the  "  Senior  Order/'  except  with  such  changes  made 
necessary  for  the  new  organization,  and  the  same  was  used  by 
Washington  Council,  No.  1,  and  for  a  few  years  under  the  direction 
of  the  State  Council  of  Pennsylvania. 

At  a  session  of  the  State  Council,  held  October  16,  1860,  a 


60  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

form  for  obligating  representatives  to  the  State  Body  was  adopted ; 
but  it  was  merely  a  form  to  which  each  representative  attached  his 
signature.  At  a  subsequent  quarterly  session  a  form  of  procedure 
at  funerals  was  adopted,  requiring  the  American  flag  to  be  placed 
on  the  casket  and  the  members  to  wear  red,  white  and  blue  rosettes, 
covered  with  crape,  on  the  left  breast.  An  amendment,  however, 
was  added  that  a  hymn  should  be  sung  at  the  grave. 

In  the  first  Ritual  of  the  Order,  there  was  a  clause  relating  to 
"  Capitation  Tax/'  which  was  stricken  out  of  the  obligation  at  a 
special  meeting  of  the  State  Council  of  Pennsylvania,  held  June  6, 
1864. 

At  the  same  session  of  the  State  Council  of  Pennsylvania,  the 
Committee  on  Forms  reported  progress  on  formulating  a  Funeral 
Charge  and  Ode,  suggesting  that  "  each  member  of  the  Order  to 
try  their  hand  on  it."  The  same  Committee,  however,  in  the  ses- 
sion of  1865,  submitted  a  Funeral  Charge  and  Ode,  and  the  same 
was  adopted. 

The  custom  of  blindfolding  candidates  at  initiation  while 
taking  the  obligation  was  made  a  requirement  by  act  of  the  State 
Council  of  Pennsylvania  at  the  quarterly  meeting  held  June,  1865. 

NATIONAL    COUNCIL    LEGISLATION 

At  the  first  regular  meeting  of  the  National  Council,  after  its 
institution,  February  10,  1870,  Brother  John  D.  Goff,  on  behalf 
of  the  State  Council  of  Pennsylvania,  presented  a  draft  of  De- 
grees for  degree  work,  but  the  same  was  not  accepted.  At  the  same 
session,  however,  Brother  Edw.  S.  Deemer  submitted  a  draft  of 
three  degrees,  which  were  adopted,  and  were  referred  to  a  commit- 
tee to  revise.  At  the  meeting  of  the  National  Body  on  May  20,  same 
year,  the  Committee  reported  back  a  three  degree  Ritual,  and  it  was 
adopted  as  the  degrees  of  the  Order.  At  the  same  session  a  resolu- 
tion was  adopted  offering  $25.00  for  the  best  Ritual  for  Subor- 
dinate Councils,  the  competitors  to  come  from  either  the  Senior  or 
Junior  organization.  Also,  the  Committee  on  Ritual  was  directed 
to  submit  at  the  next  session  a  draft  of  a  National  and  State  Council 
Ritual. 

The  Committee  on  Ritual  at  the  session  of  1871,  relative  to  the 
above  request,  stated  that  as  the  finances  of  the  National  Body  would 
not  justify  the  expense,  and,  further,  as  no  form  had  been  presented, 
the  Committee  recommended  that  no  action  be  taken  at  present, 
which  was  agreed  to. 


UNITED  AMERICAN   MECHANICS  61 

At  the  session  of  the  National  Body,  held  at  Baltimore,  Mary- 
land, in  1872,  a  resolution  was  adopted  annulling  the  requirement, 
during  the  initiatory  ceremonies,  for  a  candidate  and  the  officer 
to  kneel  while  taking  the  obligation  and  to  be  obligated  standing. 

At  the  same  session  the  Committee  on  Ritual  was  instructed 
to  make  a  thorough  revision  of  the  Degrees  and  Subordinate  Council 
Ritual,  with  a  view  of  embodying  the  two  in  one,  so  as  to  dispense 
with  the  Degree  Ritual.  A  resolution,  also,  was  presented  and 
agreed  to,  authorizing  the  Committee  on  Ritual  to  prepare,  or  have 
prepared,  a  form  for  receiving  the  officers  of  the  State  and  National 
Councils,  and  for  Councils  when  visiting  sister  Councils  in  a  body. 
To  the  same  Committee  was  referred  the  request  to  change  the 
grip  of  the  Order. 

The  session  of  the  National  Council  in  1873  was  held  at  Wil- 
mington, Delaware,  at  which  time  the  Committee  on  Ritual  reported 
on  the  above  subjects.  As  to  the  advisability  of  consolidating  the 
Degree  Ritual  with  the  Ritual  of  Subordinate  Councils,  a  favorable 
report  was  submitted  to  the  National  Council  by  the  Committee, 
whereupon,  the  National  Body  went  into  the  Committee  of  the 
Whole  for  the  consideration  of  the  subject.  When  the  Committee 
arose,  it  reported  back  to  the  National  Council  the  recommendation 
that  the  First  and  Second  Degrees,  as  amended,  be  adopted,  and 
the  Third  Degree  be  referred  back  to  the  Committee  on  Ritual  to 
make  certain  desired  changes. 

At  the  same  session,  Representative  Messenger,  of  Delaware, 
presented  a  Ritual  for  State  Councils,  which  was  referred  to  the 
Committee  on  Ritual  to  be  reported  back  before  the  close  of  the 
session.  Being  unable  to  give  the  subject  due  consideration,  for 
want  of  time,  the  Committee  was  directed  to  report  at  the  next 
session. 

At  an  adjourned  meeting  of  the  National  Body,  same  year,  in 
September,  no  action  was  taken  on  the  Third  Degree,  owing  to  the 
resignations  of  Brothers  Deemer,  Calver  and  Hayes,  occasioned  by 
a  set  of  resolutions  having  been  adopted  censuring  the  National 
Secretary  for  refusing  to  grant  a  charter  for  a  Council  in  Virginia 
to  be  named  after  Robert  E.  Lee.  The  charge,  as  stated  elsewhere, 
was  untrue,  and  a  subsequent  session  rescinded  the  unwarranted 
resolution. 


At  a  regular  session  of  the  National  Body,  held  in  1874,  an 
effort  was  made  to  adopt  the  Third  Degree  in  the  Ritual,  but  the 


62  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

National  Council  was  not  satisfied  with  the  draft  presented,  and  the 
subject  was  recommitted  to  the  Committee  on  Ritual. 

At  a  special  session,  held  February  22,  1875,  the  Third  Degree, 
as  submitted,  was  considered,  and,  after  its  exemplification  by  State 
Councilor  F.  M.  Cody,  of  Pennsylvania,  it  was  finally  adopted. 

Two  important  decisions,  relative  to  the  Ritual,  were  made  at 
this  session,  viz. : 

1.  That  everything  in  the  Ritual,  with  the  exception  of  the  printer's 
card,  is  a  part  of  the  Ritual. 

2.  That  no  Council  can  do  away  with  any  part  of  the  Ritual  except- 
ing the  singing  of  the  Odes. 


The  National  Council,  at  its  session  held  at  Boston,  Mass.,  in 
1875,  refused  to  adopt  the  following  resolution  : 

"  Resolved,  That  whenever  or  wherever  a  change  in  the  Ritual  is 
contemplated,  before  compelling  Councils  to  work  under  it,  it  shall  be  first 
submitted  to  the  Subordinate  Councils  for  their  approval  or  disapproval." 


National  Councilor  Harry  Stites,  in  his  report  to  the  National 
Council,  held  at  Philadelphia,  Pa.,  in  1876,  relative  to  the  Ritual, 
says : 

"  I  also  recommend  that  the  condition  of  our  Ritual  be  considered, 
as  there  seems  to  be  a  considerable  amount  of  dissatisfaction  resting 
against  it  at  the  present  time." 

The  recommendation,  however,  was  laid  on  the  table. 

On  motion,  a  Committee  of  five  was  appointed  to  consider  the 
advisability  of  revising  the  Ritual,  and  to  report  during  the  session. 
Subsequently,  the  Committee  reported  as  follows : 

"  We,  your  Committee  to  whom  was  referred  the  matter  of  revising 
the  Ritual,  would  report  that  we  recommend  the  consolidation  of  the  three 
degrees  into  one." 

The  recommendation,  however,  was  not  concurred  in  by  the 
National  Body.  At  the  same  time  the  Representatives  of  Mary- 
land offered  the  following: 

"  Whereas,  Having  viewed  the  disadvantages  we  labor  under  from 
want  of  a  State  Council  Ritual,  therefore,  be  it 

"  Resolved,  That  a  Committee  on  Ritual,  if  one  be  appointed,  be 
empowered  to  draw  up  a  suitable  State  .Council  Ritual  for  the  proper 
working  of  State  Councils,  and  have  the  same  issued  in  proper  form." 

This  was  amended  by  inserting  Ritual  for  National  Council. 
To  same  Committee  was  referred  a  resolution  to  have  framed 
a  suitable  prayer  for  Subordinate  Councils.     Subsequently,  in  the 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  63 

session,  the  Committee  reported  as  follows,  the  same  being  con- 
curred in  by  the  National  Council : 

"  We,  your  Committee  to  whom  was  referred  the  matter  of  having 
a  prayer  inserted  in  the  Ritual,  would  report,  that  we  do  not  consider  the 
matter  advisable." 

But  the  chapter  on  Ritual  revision  was  not  yet  ended.  Still 
another  resolution  was  offered  by  Brothers  DeHaven  and  Stites, 
of  Pennsjdvania,  which  was  agreed  to,  as  follows: 

"  Whereas,  Our  present  Ritual  is  being  complained  of  by  a  large 
number  of  members  of  our  Order,  both  on  account  of  the  length  and  also 
of  the  errors  in  printing,  therefore,  be  it 

"  Resolved,  That  a  Committee  of  five  be  appointed  to  revise  our 
Ritual,  and  that  said  Committee  be  instructed  to  report  at  the  next 
session." 


Three  Rituals  were  presented  at  the  session  of  the  National 
Council  that  was  held  at  Dayton,  Ohio,  in  1877.  One  from  P.  S.  C. 
DeHaven,  of  Pennsylvania,  one  from  P.  S.  C.  Sharer,  of  same  state, 
and  one  from  the  State  Council  of  Indiana.  The  National  Secre- 
tary read  each  Ritual  in  open  session  and  all  were  referred  to  a 
committee  to  report  later.  Three  of  the  Committee  reported  in 
favor  of  Ritual  No.  3,  while  the  other  two  members  recommended 
the  "  Indiana  Ritual."  The  majority  report,  however,  was  adopted. 
Brother  Deemer  then  moved  that  Ritual  No.  3  be  referred  to  a 
Special  Committee  with  instructions  to  insert  therein  the  opening 
ceremony  of  the  "  Indiana  Ritual,"  and  the  "  camp  scene  "  of  the 
Ritual  then  in  use,  which  was  unanimously  adopted. 


At  the  session  of  the  National  Body  in  1878,  the  National 
Councilor  submitted  as  one  of  his  recommendations,  "  adopting  a 
good  and  substantial  Ritual."  The  Special  Committee  on  Ritual, 
noted  above,  submitted  the  following  report,  which  was  agreed  to: 

"  We,  your  Committee  on  Ritual,  would  report  that  we  have  attended 
to  the  duty  assigned  us,  and  present  the  Ritual  as  directed,  with  the  excep- 
tion of  preparing  a  State  Council  Ritual,  which  we  expected  would  be 
offered  by  some  one  of  the  National  Representatives." 

The  National  Council  then  went  into  the  Committee  of  the 
Whole  to  consider  the  Ritual  proposed.  The  Committee  amended 
the  Ritual  submitted,  first,  by  inserting  the  opening  ceremony 
prepared  by  Brother  G.  Howell  Arthur  in  lieu  of  the  form  in  the 
"  Indiana  Ritual,"  as  recommended  at  the  last  session ;  and  second, 
that  the  reading  of  the  Bible  be  made  compulsory  and  the  prayer 
optional.     When  the  Committee  arose  and  reported  back  to  the 


64  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

National  Body  the  results  of  their  consideration,  other  changes 
were  made,  the  most  important  of  which  was  the  striking  out  the 
use  of  the  gown  and  cowl,  and  the  Order  of  Business.  With  these 
changes  agreed  to,  the  question  recurring  on  the  adoption  of  the 
Ritual,  as  amended,  the  ayes  and  nays  were  called,  and  by  a  majority 
of  one  only  out  of  a  vote  of  33,  the  form  was  adopted,  and  a  reso- 
lution that  the  Ritual  go  into  effect  January  1,  1879,  was  agreed  to. 
Judging  from  the  calls  made  for  the  ayes  and  nays  during 
the  consideration  of  the  Ritual,  and  in  its  final  adoption  by  a  vote 
of  17  to  16,  it  is  pretty  evident  that  the  new  Ritual  was  not  satis- 
factory to  a  large  number  of  the  National  Council.  That  this  dis- 
satisfaction was  deep-seated,  is  apparent  from  the  following 
resolution : 

"  Resolved,  That  the  Ritual  just  adopted,  be  published  as  an  initia- 
tory, and  that  a  Committee  be  appointed  to  draft  three  additional  degrees 
and  report  at  the  next  session." 

To  this  resolution  were  the  names  of  14  of  the  16  members 
who  had  voted  against  the  adoption  of  the  new  Ritual  and  one 
who  had  voted  in  the  affirmative.  The  resolution  was  adopted, 
with  the  proviso  that  those  who  had  signed  it  should  compose  the 
Committee. 

At  the  same  session  Brother  Penrose,  of  Pennsylvania,  pre- 
sented a  form  of  obligation  for  National  Representatives  on  being 
admitted  to  the  National  Body,  which  was  adopted. 

The  "  American  Legion,"  a  Past  Councilor's  Association, 
which  had  been  approved  at  the  last  session  of  the  National  Body, 
presented  a  Past  Councilor's  Degree  Ritual  for  Philadelphia  Com- 
mandery,  No.  1,  and  it  was  approved. 


The  National  Council  at  its  session  at  New  Brunswick,  New 
Jersey,  in  1879,  received  the  report  of  the  Committee  of  Fifteen 
on  Ritual,  which  was  as  follows : 

"  Whereas,  At  the  last  session  of  this  body,  there  was  a  Committee 
appointed  to  draft  the  additional  degrees,  and 

"  Whereas,  Said  Committee  was  so  large  that  it  could  not  act  with 
any  speed;   therefore,  be  it 

"  Resolved,  That  the  said  Committee  be  discharged  and  a  similar 
Committee,  consisting  of  five  members,  be  appointed  for  the  purpose." 

The  resolution  was  adopted. 


(For  two  sessions  of  the  National  Council,  1880  and  1881, 
the  "  cry  of  the  Ritual  was  not  heard  in  the  land,"  with  a  single 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  65 

exception,  of  an  ineffectual  effort  to  strike  from  the  Ritual  the 
words  "this  includes  the  whole  motto  of  the  Senior  Order.") 


The  National  Council  at  its  session  in  New  York  City,  in  1882. 
went  into  the  Committee  of  the  Whole  to  consider  the  report  of  the 
Committee  on  Revision  of  the  Order,  on  certain  suggestions  pre- 
sented hy  Past  National  Councilor  S.  H.  Crum,  which  were  as 
follows : 

"  Change  the  Ritual,  making  three  degrees — Subordinate,  State,  and 
National,  all  to  be  conferred  by  the  Subordinate  Councils;  a  fee  to  be  paid 
to  the  State  Council  for  all  State  Council  Degrees  conferred,  and  the 
State  Council  to  pay  the  National  Council  a  fee  for  all  National  Degrees 
conferred." 

As  might  be  supposed,  the  Committee  of  the  Whole  disapproved 
the  suggestions  and  the  National  Body  concurred  in  their  action. 
Two  resolutions  relative  to  the  Ritual  were  presented: 

1.  "Resolved,  That  the  Board  of  Officers  of  this  National  Council 
be  instructed  to  advertise  for  a  form  of  public  installation,  and  that  the 
sum  of  $25.00  be  awarded  to  the  author  of  the  best  form  presented.  The 
Board  of  Officers  to  act  as  the  judges  with  the  privilege  of  rejecting  any 
and  all  forms." 

With  the  exception  of  striking  out  "  Board  of  Officers  "  and 
inserting  "  National  Council,"  the  resolution  was  adopted. 

2.  "  Resolved,  That  the  Board  of  Officers  advertise  in  the  Junior 
American  Mechanic  or  otherwise,  and  request  the  members  of  the  National 
Council  to  prepare  and  present  to  them  a  form  to  be  known  as  the  National 
Council  Degree,  to  contain  only  an  opening  and  closing,  an  obligation, 
countersign  and  pass.  Such  form  to  be  presented  to  this  National  Council 
at  its  session  for  approval.  If  approved,  then  all  business  of  this  National 
Council  shall  be  done  in  said  degree." 

The  resolution  was  agreed  to. 


As  per  resolution  of  last  session,  several  forms  for  Public 
Installation  of  Officers  were  submitted  to  the  National  Council  at 
its  annual  session  in  1883,  held  at  Philadelphia,  and  were  referred 
to  a  Committee,  which,  during  the  session,  reported  in  favor  of 
one  of  the  forms  with  certain  changes.     The  Committee  added : 

"  But  your  Committee  think  that  the  National  Council  should  not 
be  too  hasty  in  the  adoption  of  any  form  of  Ritual,  and  would  suggest 
that  the  action  on  Ritual  for  Public  Installation  be  laid  over  until  next 

session." 

The  suggestion  was  concurred  in. 
5 


66  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

The  National  Council,  therefore,  that  met  at  Georgetown,D.C, 
in  1884,  resumed  the  consideration  of  the  question  of  Ritual, 
whereupon,  a  motion  to  postpone  action  for  another  session  was 
made,  for  which  a  substitute  was  proposed  to  accept  Form  2  and 
pay  $25.00  to  its  author,  which  was  agreed  to.  After  making 
several  changes  in  the  draft,  a  motion  was  offered  to  adopt,  where- 
upon, the  ayes  and  nays  were  called,  resulting  in  2  yeas  and  20 
nays,  hence  the  form  of  Public  Installation  was  not  adopted.  A 
motion,  however,  was  made,  and  it  was  agreed  to,  that  Form  2, 
at  first  agreed  upon,  be  referred  back  to  the  Committee  for  changes, 
as  per  amendments  made. 

(The  corrected  form  was  submitted  to  the  National  Body  in 
1885,  and  failed  of  adoption  by  a  vote  of  20  nays  and  3  yeas.) 


(The  session  of  the  National  Body, held  in  1886, passed  without 
any  reference  to  or  resolutions  for  proposed  revision  of  the  Ritual.) 


The  subject  of  Ritual  was  brought  before  the  National  Body  in 
1887,  at  its  session  held  at  Baltimore,  Md.,  by  the  presentation  of 
a  Degree  Ritual  by  Brother  Arnold,  of  Ohio,  in  consideration  of 
which,  the  following  record  was  made: 

"  P.  S.  C.  Sibbs,  of  Pa.,  moved  that  in  consideration  of  the  fact  that 
this  Ritual  provides  for  Degrees,  which  have  been  tried  and  did  not  give 
satisfaction,  that  the  further  consideration  of  the  subject  be  dismissed, 
which  was  agreed  to." 

At  the  same  session  the  words  "  right  or  wrong,  but  still  our 
country,"  as  used  by  the  Councilor  in  explaining  the  Principles  of 
the  Order  to  the  candidate,  were  stricken  from  the  Ritual.  An 
effort,  however,  was  made  at  the  session  of  1888  to  restore  the 
words,  but  failed. 

The  National  Council,  at  its  session  in  1888,  held  at  New  York 
City,  acted  upon  the  Declaration  of  Principles,  submitted  by  Na- 
tional Secretary  Edw.  S.  Deemer,  which  were  adopted  by  a  vote  of 
19  ayes  to  18  nays.  Subsequently  in  the  session,  on  motion  of 
National  Treasurer  Brother  Sohl,  the  vote  by  which  the  same  were 
adopted,  was  reconsidered,  and  the  question  being  stated,  the  ayes 
and  nays  were  called,  resulting,  ayes  16,  nays  26,  so  the  motion 
was  not  agreed  to. 


CHAPTER    VI 
THE   RITUAL    (Concluded) 

THE  records  of  the  National  Council  at  its  annual  session,  held 
at  Haverhill,  Mass.,  in  1889,  give  but  three  references  to 
the  subject  of  Eitual.  In  the  "  note  "  on  page  19  of  the  Kitual, 
the  first  clause  was  stricken  out,  and  in  lieu  thereof,  the  following 
charge  from  the  Councilor  was  inserted : 

"  Bro.  Conductor:  You  will  retire  with  the  Candidate  and  prepare 
him  for  the  lesson  of  Patriotism." 

On  motion  of  Brother  Evans,  of  Pennsylvania,  the  obligation 
for  members  of  the  Senior  Order  was  stricken  from  the  Kitual. 

The  following  resolution  was  adopted : 

"  Resolved,  That  a  Committee  of  three  be  appointed  to  prepare  and 
present  to  the  National  Council  at  its  next  session,  a  series  of  short 
addresses,  neither  of  them  to  occupy  more  than  five  minutes  in  delivery,  and 
to  be  appropriate  to  and  in  commemoration  of  the  following  events,  viz. : 

"  '  February  22.     Washington's  Birthday.' 

"  '  April  30.     The  Adoption  of  the  Constitution  of  the  United  States 

and   Washington's  Inauguration.' 
"  '  May  17.     The  Anniversary  of  the  Founding  of  the  Order.' 
"  '  June  14.  The  Adoption  of  the  National  Emblem.' 
"  '  July  4.     The  Declaration  of  Independence.' 

"  Said  addresses,  if  adopted,  to  be  delivered  by  the  Jr.  P.  C.  in  Sub- 
ordinate Councils  as  the  first  item  under  the  head  of  Good  of  the  Order, 
and  at  meetings  which  shall  be  nearest  to  the  several  dates;  and  with  the 
understanding  that  said  address  can  be  dispensed  with  at  any  meeting 
by  a  two-third  vote  of  the  members  present." 


The  subject  of  Eitual  was  considered  at  the  session  of  the 
National  Body,  at  its  meeting  of  1890,  at  Chicago,  111.,  first,  in  a 
Memorial,  largely  signed  by  prominent  Representatives,  as  follows: 

"  Whereas,  Our  beloved  Order  has  been  and  is  now  rapidly  increas- 
ing in  membership  and  brings  to  our  ranks  the  experience  and  intelligence 
of  the  country,  and 

"  Whereas,  Our  present  Ritual  does  not  seem  adequate  to  the  present 
needs  of  our  Order,  therefore,  be  it 

"  Resolved,  That  the  National  Councilor  be  empowered  to  appoint  a 
Committee  of  five  for  the  purpose  of  preparing  a  new  Ritual,  to  be  sub- 
mitted to  the  National  Council  at  the  earliest  date  consistent,  with  the 
best  attainable  results." 

The  Memorial  was  adopted,  and  the  following  strong  Commit- 

67 


68  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

tee  was  appointed :  Brothers  J.  G.  A.  Kichter,  J.  H.  Zimmerman 
and  Geo.  0.  Roberts,  of  Ohio,  Jas.  Cranston  and  H.  L.  Williams, 
of  Pennsylvania. 

The  following  resolution  was  offered  and  referred  to  the  Com- 
mittee on  Revision  of  the  Ritual : 

"  Resolved,  That  a  Committee  be  appointed  to  draft  and  prepare 
a  hand-book  of  ceremonies,  which  shall  contain: 

1.  A  program  of  ceremonies  for  flag  presentations. 

2.  A  program  of  ceremonies  for  laying  corner-stones. 

3.  A  program  of  ceremonies  for  dedicating  buildings. 

And  in  which  hand-book  may  also  be  included  the  funeral  ceremony." 

On  motion,  to  the  same  Committee  was  referred  the  duty  of 
preparing  a  Ritual  for  the  opening  and  closing  of  the  National  and 
State  Councils,  installation  of  officers  in  public  and  reception  of 
members  by  card. 

As  was  expected  from  its  make-up,  the  Committee  on  the  Re- 
vision of  the  Ritual,  at  the  session  of  1891,  held  at  Cleveland,  Ohio, 
submitted  a  report  full  of  suggestions,  and  had  adopted  a  form  of 
Ritual,  but  the  one  who  was  to  write  it  had  failed  to  submit  the 
same. 

The  Committee  had  received  quite  a  number  of  suggestions 
which  were  submitted  to  the  National  Council  and  by  that  body 
were  turned  over  to  a  new  Committee.  The  following  were  some 
of  the  suggestions: 

1.  From  James  S.  Patton,  of  Monongahela,  Pa.,  that  the  mili- 
tary scene  be  amplified,  and  a  form  accompanied  the  suggestion. 

2.  From  Jas.  Cranston,  of  Pittsburg,  Pa.,  providing  a  charge 
to  be  delivered  by  the  Councilor  upon  reinstating  a  brother. 

3.  P.  S.  C,  F.  J.  Shaler,  of  Chicago,  111.,  suggesting  that  soft 
music  be  played  during  certain  parts  of  the  ceremonies. 

4.  From  a  brother  in  McKeesport,  Pa.,  Superintendent  of 
Public  Schools,  whose  letter  was  mislaid  and  the  name  forgotten, 
came  the  suggestion  of  a  three  degree  Ritual,  in  two  forms,  ampli- 
fied and  condensed,  councils  to  be  allowed  to  use  either  form,  but 
to  urge  the  amplified  or  long  form. 

(The  name  of  the  brother  referred  to  was  Perry  A.  Shanor, 
so  well  known  in  the  Order,  and  who,  subsequently,  served  as 
National  Councilor.) 

5.  From  P.  S.  C,  H.  L.  Williams,  of  Pennsylvania,  who 
submitted  the  following  unique  form  of  a  three  degree  Ritual, 
representing,  allegorically,  the  history  of  our  country: 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  69 

1.  "  The  first  degree  to  represent  the  perambulations  and  sufferings 
of  the  Pilgrims  from  the  commencement  of  their  persecutions  by  the  Church 
of  England  until  their  arrival  at  Plymouth  Rock. 

2.  "  The  second  degree  to  represent  the  history  of  those  people  from 
Plymouth  Rock  to  the  commencement  of  the  Revolution. 

3.  "  The  third  degree  to  represent  the  Revolutionary  War  and  the 
scene  to  close  with  the  proclaiming  of  Independence  on  July  4,  1770." 

The  Committee  stated  that  they  had  adopted  the  suggestions 
of  Brother  Williams  and  had  requested  him  to  suhmit  a  skeleton 
of  such  a  Ritual,  but  he  had  failed  to  do  so. 

The  Secretary  of  the  Committee,  Brother  Zimmerman,  among 
other  things,  said : 

"  Since  the  meeting  of  the  Committee  in  Pittsburg,  Pa.,  as  Secretary, 
I  have  received  numerous  correspondence  from  members  of  the  Order, 
advocating  extremes  in  both  ways.  The  shortest  Ritual  asked  for  is  simply 
a  short  obligation  and  the  signing  of  the  obligation  book,  while  the  other 
extreme  asks  for  a  Ritual  that  shall  contain  degrees  as  follows: 
1,  2,  3 — Initiation. 

5 — To  be  entitled  to  any  office  in  Subordinate  Council. 
6 — To  be  entitled  to  Assistant  Recording  Secretary. 
8 — To  be  entitled  to  Vice-Councilor. 
10 — To  be  entitled  to  Councilor. 
13 — To  be  entitled  to  Junior  Past  Councilor. 
15 — To  be  entitled  to  State  Council  Representative  or  Deputy  State 

Councilor. 
25 — To  be  entitled  to  admission  to  State  Council. 
100— To  be  entitled  to  admission  to  National  Council. 
The  25th  to  be  given  by  the  State  Council,  and  the  100th  by  the  National 
Council.    The  fees  of  each  degree  to  be  regulated  by  law,  except  that  given 
by   the   National    Council.      This   fee    to    be   $25.00,   and   the   money   thus 
obtained  to  be  used  for  a  banquet." 

Other  suggestions  were  made,  such  as  asking  that  the  Ritual 
be  made  as  solemn  as  possible,  and  that  Sunday  services  be  made 
obligatory  upon  Councils,  at  least  once  a  month.  The  suggestions 
and  material  gathered  b}r  the  Committee  were  referred  to  a  new 
Committee. 

A  Special  Committee  reported  a  volumiuous  form  of  Public 
Installation  of  Officers  in  Subordinate  Councils  which,  however, 
was  recommitted  to  same  committee. 

The  plan  of  the  Council  room  to  be  used  in  the  "  camp  scene  " 
was,  on  motion,  adopted.  Also  an  Order  of  Business  for  the  Na- 
tional Council  was  submitted  and  approved.  ■ 

The  Declaration  of  Principles  submitted  by  Brother  Deemer 
at  the  New  York  session  in  1888,  being  rearranged  and  adopted 
at  the  Chicago  session  in  1890,  and  as  printed  in  the  Proceedings, 
were  approved  at  this  session. 


70  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

The  Committee  on  Eitual  reported  at  the  session  of  the  Na- 
tional Body  at  its  meeting  in  1892,  relative  to  the  form  of  Public 
Installation  submitted  to  them  at  the  last  session,  stating  that  in 
their  opinion  it  was  of  too  great  a  length  to  be  of  any  service  to 
the  Order,  whereupon  the  whole  matter  was  recommitted  to  the 
Committee. 

A  form  of  Memorial  Service,  pursuant  to  instructions  of  the 
State  Council  of  Pennsylvania,  was  submitted  by  her  Representa- 
tives. The  form  proposed  was  on  the  line  of  the  Memorial  Service 
of  the  G.  A.  R.,  to  meet  in  the  cemetery,  annually,  and  with  befitting 
exercises,  strew  flowers  upon  the  graves  of  the  departed  members 
of  the  Order.  The  same  was  referred  to  the  Committee  on  the 
State  of  the  Order,  as  well  as  the  address  of  Brother  Shanor,  deliv- 
ered at  Uniontown,  Pa.,  at  the  Memorial  Service  held  during  the 
session  of  the  State  Council.  Subsequently,  the  Committee  re- 
ported in  favor  of  adopting  the  address  of  Brother  Shanor  as  the 
form,  which,  after  necessary  changes,  was  adopted. 

A  new  Eitual  was  submitted  to  the  body  by  the  Committee 
on  Ritual,  and  after  some  changes  were  made,  it  was  adopted  as  the 
Ritual  of  the  Order.  This  is  the  Ritual,  with  few  minor  changes, 
in  use  to-day  (1907)  and  was  prepared  by  Brother  Deemer.  A 
form  of  prayer  for  Subordinate  Councils  was  submitted  and 
adopted.  Also  a  resolution  to  have  the  Ritual  bound  in  cloth, 
was  agreed  to. 

The  discussion  of  the  Ritual  at  the  National  session  held  at 
Detroit,  Mich.,  in  1893,  formed  the  greater  portion  of  the  reports 
of  the  Board  of  Officers  and  the  time  of  the  National  Council. 
The  new  Ritual  adopted  at  the  last  session  had  created  some  dis- 
satisfaction in  certain  sections  owing  to  the  introduction  of  a  new 
feature  and  character,  now  eliminated.  To  such  an  extent  had  the 
criticism  been  expressed  that  a  certain  Council  in  Pennsylvania 
organized  an  opposition  to  the  Ritual  and  caused  circulars  to  be 
sent  out  in  which  was  cited  the  objectionable  character  and  feature, 
thus  making  the  Council  amenable  to  the  law  of  the  Order,  whereby 
its  charter  was  suspended. 

National  Councilor  Brother  Cranston,  in  his  report,  had  this 
to  say  relative  to  the  new  Ritual : 

"  It  was  not  a  surprise  to  any  person  with  a  slight  knowledge  of 
human  nature,  that  some  opposition  to  the  new  Ritual  has  been  mani- 
fested; but,  I  am  happy  to  say,  it  is  not  general.  .  .  .  The  character 
introduced  in  the  new  Ritual  is  so  unimportant  that  it  could  be  dispensed 
with  if  there  are  many  who  think  it  objectionable." 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  71 

National  Secretary  Brother  Deemer  had  the  following  to  say: 

"In  some  localities  it  (the  Ritual)  has  been  well  received,  and 
in  others  severely  condemned.  Whether  the  majority  of  the  members  favor 
it,  or  whether  they  are  opposed  to  it,  I  cannot  say.  People  are  always 
more  prone  to  censure  than  to  praise,  consequently  the  opposition  has 
made  more  noise,  if  it  is  not  the  greater  number.  .  .  .  There  is  con- 
stantly a  demand  for  something  new.  As  a  general  thing  those  who  make 
the  demand  never  introduce  anything  themselves,  but  are  the  first  to 
condemn  the  production  of  others." 

The  introduction  of  the  objectionable  character  was  the  cause 
of  a  spirited  controversy  in  the  National  Body,  some  claiming  that 
it  was  not  approved  when  the  Eitual  containing  it  was  adopted. 
The  National  Secretary,  in  his  report,  made  it  clear  that  the  "  char- 
acter "  referred  to  was  approved,  and  in  order  to  arrange  the  new 
feature  and  secure  uniformity  in  exemplifying  the  work,  a  few 
minor  changes  had  to  be  made  in  the  printed  form.  The  objec- 
tionable character  was  eliminated. 

The  closing  paragraph  of  the  Declaration  of  Principles,  adopted 
at  a  previous  session,  especially  the  clause,  "  In  the  strictest  sense 
we  are  a  national  political  organization,"  etc.,  came  in  for  sharp 
criticism  at  this  session.  How  the  clause  came  to  be  inserted,  as 
well  as  the  entire  paragraph,  into  the  Declaration  of  Principles  at 
the  Chicago  session  was  fully  explained  by  the  National  Secretary. 
From  Brother  Deemer's  statement,  it  seems  that  the  Declara- 
tion of  Principles  had  been  published  in  the  press  of  the  Order, 
and  the  State  Council  of  Pennsylvania  incorporated  the  code  as  a 
report  from  the  Committee  on  Kesolutions,  and  then  added  the 
paragraph  referred  to  above.  By  some  cause  the  printer  got  the 
added  paragraph  merged  with  the  form  adopted  at  Chicago,  and 
in  that  form  it  was  approved  at  the  Cleveland  session  the  year 
following.     Bef erring  to  the  matter,  Brother  Deemer  says: 

"  I  do  not  think  anyone  has  been  especially  to  blame,  neither  do  I 
think  it  was  the  work  of  design.     It  was  innocently  done." 

The  National  Body  agreed  with  the  recommendation  of  the 
Committee  that  the  Declaration  of  Principles,  as  printed,  be  a  part 
of  the  Order.  The  Bitual  proper  was  placed  in  the  hands  of  the 
Committee  to  connect  the  work  because  of  the  disarrangement  made 
by  the  elimination  of  the  objectionable  character.  The  Committee 
recommended  further  changes,  and  the  Bitual  was  recommitted 
to  them  to  report  at  the  next  session. 


The  National  Council  of  1894,  met  at  Asheville,  N.  C.     The 
Committee  on  Bitual,  pursuant  to  instructions  given  at  last  session, 


72  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

submitted  changes  and  revisions  that  seemed  necessary  for  the 
general  improvement  of  the  ritualistic  services  of  the  Order  with- 
out altering  the  sentiments  or  plan  of  the  work.  The  "camp 
scene"  was  revised  by  Captain  William  Awl,  of  Pittsburg,  Pa., 
whom  many  remember  as  a  prominent  military  character,  and  the 
results  of  his  work  made  that  part  of  the  initiatory  ceremouies 
much  more  realistic  than  they  had  formerly  been. 

The  Committee  on  Forms  and  Ceremonies,  at  same  session, 
submitted  their  report,  by  presenting  three  exhibits,  viz. : 

Exhibit  A.    Memorial  Service  or  Council  of  Sorrow. 

Exhibit  B.     Flag  Presentation  and  School  Dedication. 

Exhibit  C.    Ceremony  for  Corner-Stone  Laying  of  Public  Schools. 

The  Council  of  Sorrow  was  exemplified  in  the  deaths  of  three 
members  of  the  National  Council  in  a  very  impressive  manner. 
Following  the  Memorial  Service,  the  Council  of  Sorrow  was  adopted. 
Exhibits  B  and  C  were  referred  to  the  Board  of  Officers,  and  if 
approved  by  them,  it  was  understood  the  same  were  adopted.  The 
Committee  on  Forms,  however,  were  continued  to  prepare  a  service 
for  Memorial  Day. 

The  subject  of  Eitual  revision  in  one  way  or  another  came 
up  for  consideration  at  the  meeting  of  the  National  Body  at 
Omaha,  Neb.,  in  1895.  The  National  Councilor  recommended  that 
certain  alterations  be  made  in  the  Eitual  in  order  that  it  could  be 
more  clearly  understood.  He  referred  to  the  various  ways  of  clos- 
ing a  Council  in  repeating  the  "  F.  0/',  showing  lack  of  unity  of 
procedure.     The  National  Councilor  also  recommended: 

"That  a  Committee  be  appointed  early  in  the  session  to  prepare  a 
suitable  form  of  installation  for  the  Chaplain  and  report  the  same  before 
the  adjournment  of  this  body." 

The  recommendation  was  adopted  with  the  amendment  so  as 
to  read,  "  and  report  at  the  next  session." 

The  "  Business  Sign  "  of  the  Order  was  found  to  be  in  vio- 
lation of  an  act  of  Congress  passed  in  1891,  whereupon,  the  govern- 
ment authorities  seized  all  the  dies  and  signs  in  the  office  of  the 
National  Secretary,  and  the  manufacture  and  exhibition  of  same 
was  discontinued.  Owing  to  this  violation  of  law,  the  National 
Body  struck  out  of  the  Eitual  all  reference  to  the  "  business  sign." 


At  the  Denver  session  in  1896,  the  Committee  on  Eitual  sub- 
mitted a  form  of  Installation  of  National  and  State  Council  Chap- 
lain, but  the  matter  was  referred  to  the  Board  of  Officers ;  and  it  is 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  73 

a  strange  coincidence,  that  was  the  last  the  Order  heard  of  the 
subject  until  1905,  at  the  Nashville  session,  when  the  writer,  ai 
the  suggestion  of  the  National  Councilor,  Brother  Faison,  sub- 
mitted a  form,  which  was  adopted. 

A  proposition  was  presented  for  two  higher  degrees  to  be 
incorporated  in  the  Eitual,  but  the  same  was  disapproved. 

A  resolution  was  presented  to  abolish  the  "  F.  0."  in  the 
closing  ceremonies  of  Subordinate  Councils  and  readopt  the  closing 
form  under  the  last  preceding  Eitual ;  but  the  matter  was  laid  over. 
A  resolution  was  offered  to  prepare  a  suitable  Ritual  for  use  of 
State  Councils  and  report  at  the  next  session.  The  matter  was  re- 
ferred to  the  National  Secretary.  A  resolution  to  provide  for  a 
three  degree  Ritual  was  presented  and,  on  motion,  was  laid  over. 


The  National  Body  in  1897  met  at  Pittsburg,  Pa.  On  the 
subject  of  Ritual,  the  following  resolution  was  submitted  and 
adopted : 

"  Resolved,  That  in  the  opinion  of  the  National  Council,  Jr.  O.  U. 
A.  M.,  the  highest  interests  of  the  Order  demand  a  revision  of  the  Ritual 
of  the  Order,  and  in  view  of  this  we  request  that  a  Ritual  Committee,  of 
three,  be  appointed  to  report  at  our  next  meeting  such  a  revised  Ritual." 

Also  the  following  was  read  and  referred  to  the  Committee 
on  Ritual : 

"  Resolved,  That  a  Committee  be  appointed  to  prepare  a  suitable 
up-to-date  Funeral  Ceremony  of  our  Order,  and  present  it  at  our  next 
annual   session." 

From  the  State  Council  of  Wisconsin  came  the  request: 

"  To  provide  a  Second  Degree,  which  would  be  more  instructive  and 
elevating  than  the  one  commonly  known  as  the  '  Oriental  Degree,'  and  take 
steps  to  prohibit  Councils  from  using  the  latter  in  connection  with  and 
in  the  name  of  the  Order." 

The  resolution  was  referred  to  the  Committee  on  Ritual,  as 
were  the  following: 

1.  "  Resolved,  That  the  National  Council,  now  in  session,  do  grant 
unto  the  State  and  Subordinate  Councils  a  permanent  password  for  the 
outside  door.  . 

"  Resolved,  That  the  National  Councilor  select  a  Committee  of  three 
to  present  three  words,  from  which  one  word  shall  be  selected  by  a  vote 
of  the  Councils,  to  be  used  for  a  permanent  password  at  the  inside  door. 

2.  "  Resolved,  That  our  Ritual  Committee  be  requested  and  instructed 
to  prepare  a  business  sign  that  is  not  an  infringement  on  the  United  States 
government,  and  report  the  same  back  at  our  next  session." 


74  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

3.  "  The  members  of  Washington  Council,  No.  1,  of  Wardner,  Idaho, 
submitted  an  Ode,  requesting  that  it  be  adopted  as  the  Ode  of  the  Order 
and  the  same  was  referred  to  the  Committee  on  Ritual. 

4.  "  A  Form  and  Ceremony  of  State  Council  Visitation,"  adopted  by 
the  State  Council  of  the  District  of  Columbia,  was  submitted,  and  took 
the  same  course  with  the  others. 

5.  "  In>  view  of  the  fact  that  our  Ritual  contains  no  article  against 
partisanship  in  our  Public  Schools,  I  move  you  that  the  Ritual  be  so 
amended  as  to  teach  against  partisan  as  well  as  sectarian  interference  in 
our  Public  School  System." 

The  last  named  was  offered  by  Walter  Beck,  of  Pennsylvania, 
and  to  consider  these  subjects,  the  National  Councilor  announced 
as  the  Eitual  Committee :  National  Eepresentative  Reeves,  of  Wash- 
ington, P.  S.  C.  Buschman,  of  Maryland,  and  P.  S.  C.  Reynolds,  of 
Illinois. 


The  several  subjects  referred  to  the  Ritual  Committee  at  the 
session  of  1897,  were  considered  by  that  Committee,  and  the  follow- 
ing resume  of  their  deliberations  was  submitted  to  the  National 
Council,  at  its  meeting  held  at  Louisville,  Kentucky,  in  the  month 
of  June,  1898 : 

1.  "  After  the  adoption  of  the  resolution  authorizing  the  appointment 
of  the  Committee,  some  resolutions  were  referred  to  the  Committee  whieh 
quite  changed  the  conditions  of  the  work  assigned  them.  At  once  the 
question  was  raised  as  to  increasing  the  number  of  degrees.  In  harmony 
with  that  idea  the  State  Council  of  Pennsylvania  passed  resolutions  asking 
for  a  three-degree  Ritual,  and  many  individuals  and  subordinate  Councils 
wrote  us  to  the  same  effect,  and  some  have  furnished  material  and,  in  one 
instance  at  least,  a  full  three-degree  Ritual  has  been  prepared  and  sub- 
mitted. 

"  Not  feeling  that  it  is  within  our  province  to  decide  this  question, 
we  refer  it  to  the  National  Council  for  their  action  and,  in  case  a  three- 
degree  Ritual  or  entire  new  Ritual  is  agreed  upon,  suggesting  that  the 
Committee  be  authorized  to  offer  a  certain  amount  as  a  premium  for  the 
best  Ritual. 

2.  "  As  to  Funeral  Ceremony,  we  have  received  no  definite  suggestions 
of  change  and  do  not  at  present  recommend  any  change. 

3.  "  We  recommend  the  adoption  of  the  following  as  a  Business  Sign : 
A  female  figure  holding,  extended  in  the  right  hand,  a  pair  of  balances 
and  beneath  it,  the  words — '  Justice  and  Fair  Dealing.' 

4.  "  As  to  the  matter  of  a  Permanent  Password,  the  Committee  has 
no  recommendation  to  make.  » 

5.  "  We  recommend  that  the  Freeman's  Oath  be  omitted,  except  in 
the  initiatory  ceremony,  so  as  to  avoid  a  repetition. 

6.  "  In  regard  to  the  resolution  with  reference  to  the  use  of  the 
word  '  Partisan  '  in  connection  with  the  word  '  Sectarian,'  we  recommend 
the  use  of  the  word  suggested. 

7.  "  In  accordance  with  the  request  of  the  National  Representatives 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  75 

of   Pennsylvania,   we    recommend   that   the   word   '  Socialism '    be    omitted 
from  the  Ritual  and  also  from  the  Declaration  of  Principles." 

8.  Relative  to  "  Form  of  Ceremony  for  Receiving  National  Council 
and  State  Officers,"  the  Committee,  with  some  changes,  recommended  the 
form  presented  by  the  State  Council  of  District  of  Columbia  at  last  session. 

9.  A  form  for  the  installation  of  the  Chaplain  was  submitted. 

10.  An  opening  and  closing  ceremony  for  State  Councils  was  pre- 
sented to  the  Committee  by  National  Secretary  Deemer,  and  by  them 
submitted  to  the  National  Body  with  a  favorable  recommendation. 

In  consideration  of  the  report  of  the  Committee,  the  same  was 
taken  up  seriatum,  as  follows : 

1.  On  motion  of  Brother  Stephen  Collins,  the  Committee  was 
requested  to  prepare  a  one-degree  Ritual.  A  motion  to  strike  out 
"  one "  and  insert  "  three "  was  offered  by  Brother  Bichter,  of 
Ohio,  whereupon,  Brother  Collins  moved  as  a  substitute,  that  the 
Ritual  Committee  be  instructed  to  prepare  and  present  at  the  next 
session  two  Rituals,  one  of  three  degrees  and  one  of  one  degree, 
which  was  agreed  to. 

2.  Recommendation  relative  to  Funeral  Ceremony  was 
approved. 

3.  As  to  "  Business  Sign,"  the  matter  was  referred  back  to 
the  Committee. 

4.  Recommendation  relative  to  Permanent  Password  was 
approved. 

5-10.  The  recommendations  of  the  Committee  on  Ritual  were 
severally  adopted. 

As  per  action  of  the  National  Body  at  its  session  held  at  Louis- 
ville, in  1898,  the  Committee  on  Ritual  presented  the  following 
as  their  report,  to  the  National  Council  which  held  its  session  at 
Minneapolis,  Minn.,  in  1899: 

"  Minneapolis,  June  21,  1899. 

"  To  the  Officers  and  Members  of  the  National  Council,  Jr.  0.  U.  A.  M. 
"  Dear  Sirs  and  Brothers. — 

"  The  undersigned  members  of  the  Ritual  Committee  respectfully 
submit  their  report: 

"  That  in  accordance  with  the  instructions  of  the  last  National  Coun- 
cil, they  advertised  in  the  various  official  organs  of  the  National  Council, 
at  divers  times,  the  announcement  of  their  desire  to  have  prepared  a  one- 
and  three-degree  Ritual  by  members  of  the  Order,  as  well  as  a  suggestion 
to  have  a  Ritual  prepared  embracing  both  the  one-  and  three-degree  features, 
and  that  a  suitable  premium  would  be  paid  to  the  brother  or  brothers 
whose  Ritual  would  be  appoved  by  the  National  Council.  That  they  have 
since  received  one  two-degree  Ritual  and  two  three-degree  Rituals,  but  no 
one-degree  Ritual.    That  after  a  careful  examination  of  the  Rituals  ottered, 


76  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

your  committee  were  of  the  opinion  that  none  of  the  Rituals  submitted 
would  meet  the  requirements  of  the  National  Council,  but  that  the  three- 
degree  Rituals  prepared  by  P.  S.  C,  Rev.  M.  D.  Lichliter,  of  Pennsylvania, 
and  National  Representative  F.  F.  Hopkins,  of  Washington,  contained  many 
admirable  portions,  and  with  the  assistance  of  these  two  rituals,  they 
prepared  a  compilation  of  the  best  features  of  these  two  Rituals,  which  are 
embraced  in  the  three-degree  Ritual  and  installation  ceremonies  now  sub- 
mitted by  your  committee  for  your  consideration. 

"  They  further  report  that  the  Ritual  prepared  and  submitted  by 
S.  C.  Secretary  W.  L.  Boyden,  of  the  District  of  Columbia,  was  a  well 
executed  and  complete  work  in  every  particular,  but  the  committee  cannot 
recommend  its  adoption  by  our  National  Council. 

"  That  your  committee  recommend  the  three-degree  Ritual  herewith 
accompanying  this  report  as  satisfactory,  and  that  if  the  National  Council 
desires  to  have  a  one-degree  Ritual,  they  can  use  the  present  Ritual,  or  the 
committee  will  prepare  an  abbreviated  version  of  the  First  and  Second 
Degrees  in  the  Ritual  herewith  submitted. 

"  As  the  committee  announced  in  their  notices  that  a  premium  would 
be  paid  to  the  successful  author  of  the  Ritual  adopted  by  the  National 
Council,  in  the  event  of  the  National  Council  approving  the  accompanying 
Ritual,  your  committee  would  recommend  that  a  premium  of  $60  should 
be  awarded  to  Brother  Lichliter  and  a  premium  of  $40  to  Brother  Hopkins, 
the  joint  authors  of  this  Ritual.  They  would  also  recommend  the  payment 
of  the  sum  of  $20  to  Brother  Boyden  in  recognition  of  the  laborious  work 
performed  by  him  in  preparing  the  Ritual  submitted  by  him.  In  the  event 
of  a  three-  and  a  one-degree  Ritual  being  adopted  by  this  National  Council, 
they  would  recommend  that  each  subordinate  Council  have  the  option  of 
using  either.  „  Chakles  f.  Reeves, 

"  Wm.  H.  Hanna, 

"  F.    A.    BUSCHMAN, 

"  Ritual  Committee." 

A  regular  session  of  the  National  Council  was  held  on  the 
evening  of  the  second  day,  to  witness  the  exemplification  of  the 
three-degree  Ritual,  as  recommended  by  the  Committee.  While, 
to  a  large  portion  of  the  National  Body,  the  Eitual,  as  exemplified, 
with  some  suggested  changes,  was  satisfactory,  it  was  evident  that 
some  of  the  Eepresentatives  from  the  older  states,  prominently, 
Penns)dvania,  Maryland  and  Delaware,  were  opposed  to  a  three- 
degree  Ritual — in  fact,  opposed  in  any  respect  to  a  revision  of  the 
present  Ritual,  hence,  the  subject  was  "  shelved." 

P.  N.  C.  Shanor  moved  that  the  three-degree  Ritual  be  adopted. 
This  was  amended  by  motion  of  Representative  Edkins,  of  Penn- 
sylvania, "  that  it  go  into  effect  January  1,  1900."  National  Rep- 
resentative Watkins,  of  Maryland,  moved,  as  a  substitute  for  all 
that  was  before  the  body,  that  the  report  be  received,  which  was 
agreed  to. 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  77 

Subsequently  in  the  session,  the  following  Proposal  for  a 
Statute  was  offered  by  Brother  Eeeves,  of  Washington,  which  was 
referred  to  the  Ritual  Committee  with  instructions  to  prepare  a 
Bill  under  the  new  law : 

"A  PROPOSAL 

"  FOR    A    STATUTE   RESPECTING    RITUAL 

"  Be  it  enacted  by  the  National  Council  Junior  Order  United  American 
Mechanics. 

"  Section  1.  That  this  National  Council  adopt  the  Three-Degree 
Ritual  as  presented  by  the  committee,  with  the  proviso  that  it  be  referred 
back  to  the  compilers  for  revision  and  that  they  prepare  from  the  Three- 
Degree  Ritual  a  One-Degree  Ritual,  subject  to  the  approval  of  the  Board 
of  Officers  and  that  it  be  left  optional  for  Councils  to  use  either  form. 

"  Section  2.  This  law  shall  take  effect  and  be  in  force  immediately 
upon  its  passage." 

The  report  of  the  Committee  on  Ritual  was  favorable  for  the 
above  Statute,  but  again  those  who  were  not  favorable  to  a  three- 
degree  Ritual,  especially  to  the  one  presented,  "  side-tracked  "  the 
subject  by  adopting  the  following  substitute : 

"  That  the  proposed  law  be  so  amended  as  to  continue  the  Com- 
mittee for  another  year,  that  they  offer  $500  for  a  Ritual,  open  to  competi- 
tion, by  members  of  the  Order,  the  premium  to  be  given  for  the  accepted 
Ritual." 

The  substitute  was  agreed  to,  and  the  ritual  question  was 
"  laid  on  the  shelf/'  and  there  it  still  rests  (1907). 


In  the  meantime,  the  "  Conflict  at  the  Crossing  of  the  Centur- 
ies "  had  opened,  the  "  smoke  of  battle  "  was  on,  and  the  Order  was 
in  the  throes  of  rebellion.  The  session  of  the  National  Council 
for  1000  was  held  at  Philadelphia,  which  had  before  it  the  one 
supreme  object  and  purpose,  that  of  self-preservation  from  the 
attacks  of  the  "  insurgents,"  hence  the  subject  of  the  Ritual  was 
a  "  side  issue."  The  Ritual  Committee,  however,  made  their  re- 
port, perfectly  consistent  with  the  existing  state  of  things,  and 
was  as  follows,  the  same  being  agreed  to  by  the  National  Body: 

"  Philadelphia,  Pa.,  June  21,  1900. 

"  To   the   Officers   and   Members   of   the   National   Council,   Jr.  O.  U.  A.  M., 

V.  S.  A. 

"  Dear  Sirs  and  Brothers. — 

"  The  undersigned,  members  of  the  special  committee  of  Ritual, 
appointed  by  resolution  adopted  at  last  annual  session  of  the  National 
Council  at  Minneapolis,  respectfully  submit  this  as  their  report. 

"  That  owing  to  the  dissensions  existing  in  the  organization  during 
the  past  year,  and  the  uncertainty  of  a  sufficient  amount  of  funds  being 


78  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

on  hand  with  which  to  pay  the  prize  of  five  hundred  dollars  offered  by 
said  resolution,  your  committee  did  not  deem  it  advisable  to  pass  an 
opinion  upon  the  merits,  or  to  recommend  the  adoption  of  any  proposed 
rituals  offered,  and  your  committee  further  report  that  as  there  appears 
to  be  an  almost  unanimous  sentiment  throughout  the  organization  for  a 
new  and  better  ritual  than  the  one  now  in  use,  and  would  for  that  reason 
recommend  that  a  special  committee  on  Ritual  be  continued  for  another 

year-  "A.  D.  Wilkin, 

"  H.      C.     SCHAERTZER, 
"  F.    A.    BUSCHMAN." 

Nevertheless,  the  question  of  Ritual  was  kept  before  the  body 
by  resolution  and  proposal  for  statutes  as  follows: 

1.  "Resolved,  That  the  Committee  on  Ritual  be,  and  are  hereby  in- 
structed and  directed  to  revise  and  amend  our  Funeral  Ritual  so  as  to  make 
it  comport  with  the  dignity  and  standing  of  this  National  Body." 

2.  Proposal  for  a  Statute.  "  To  change  the  Ritual  by  inserting 
therein,  the  Freeman's  Oath  in  the  closing  ceremonies." 

3.  Proposal  for  a  Statute.  "  That  the  Declaration  of  Principles  be 
so  amended  as  to  read:  '  We  recognize  the  Bible  as  the  foundation  of  both 
moral  and  civil  law,  and  believe  that  it  should  be  read  in  our  public  schools, 
not  to  teach  sectarianism,  but  moral  excellence." 

In  the  consideration -of  Proposal  for  a  Statute,  No.  3,  it  was 
adopted  by  153  to  0. 

The  Committee  on  Ritual,  to  whom  had  been  referred  Nos.  1 
and  2,  reported  the  following,  which,  however,  was  laid  over  for 
one  year: 

"  To   the   Officers  and   Members  of   the   National   Council,  Jr.  0.  U.  A.  M., 
U.  8.  A. 

"  Dear  Sirs  and  Brothers. — 
"  Your  Standing  Committee  on  Ritual  beg  leave  to  report  upon  matters 
referred  to  them  as  follows : 

"  First.  In  regard  to  the  Proposal  for  a  Statute,  to  restore  the 
Freeman's  Oath  in  the  closing  ceremonies,  we  recommend  that  the  Free- 
man's Oath  be  used  in  the  closing  ceremony  where  it  has  not  previously 
been  used  in  the  same  meeting  in  the  initiatory  work. 

"  We  recommend  that  a  special  committee  on  Ritual  be  appointed  for 
the  coming  year,  who  shall  offer  such  premium  for  a  Ritual  that  shall 
be  acceptable  to  the  National  Council  as  may  be  determined  upon  by  the 
Board  of  Officers  and  the  Finance  Committee. 

"  We  further  recommend  that  the  resolution  in  regard  to  the  new 
Funeral  Ceremony  be  referred  to  this  committee. 

"  F.  F.  Hopkins, 
"  E.  W.  Sellers, 
"S.  J.  Theisen, 
"  C.  L.  Voris, 
"  J.  G.  A.  Richter, 

"  Committee." 


UNITED  AMERICAN   MECHANICS  79 

The  National  Council  that  met  at  Buffalo,  N.  Y.,  in  L901, 
"resolved,"  "recommended"  and  still  hesitated  on  the  question 
of  Eitual.  The  now  laws  had  created  a  Committee  on  Ritual,  to 
be  appointed  for  the  session  only.  Five  members  of  the  National 
Body  composed  said  Committee.  At  the  Buffalo  session  this  Com- 
mittee reported  as  follows: 

"Buffalo,  N.  Y.,  June  20th,  1901. 

"  To  the  Officers  and  Members  of  the  National  Council,  Jr.  0.  U.  A.  M. 
"  Dear  Sirs  and  Brothers. — 
"Your  Standing  Committee  on  Ritual  beg  leave  to  make  the  follow- 
ing report: 

"  Whereas,  A  large  number  of  Councils  now  in  open  insubordination 
to  the  Supreme  Law  of  the  Order  are  continuing  the  work  of  the  organiza- 
tion by  initiating  candidates,  etc.,  in  accordance  with  the  ceremonies,  words, 
signs  and  grips  as  exemplified  in  our  present  Ritual,  and  securing  sur- 
reptitiously the  passwords  thereby  securing  admission  to  the  body  of  the 
loyal  Councils;   and 

"  Whereas,  There  is  a  general  feeling  among  the  members  of  our 
Order  that  our  present  Ritual  does  not  comport  with  the  dignity  and 
standing  of  this  the  greatest  of  all  patriotic  organizations,  and  through 
Representatives  to  this  National  Council  there  has  come  to  your  Committee 
a  request  for  a  Three-Degree  Ritual; 

"  Therefore,  We  very  respectfully  recommend : 

"  First.  That  in  view  of  the  fact  of  the  existence  of  a  large  number 
of  Councils  now  in  open  rebellion  to  the  National  Council  that  are  bearing 
the  name  and  using  the  Ritual  and  ceremonies  of  the  Order,  that  this 
National  Council  authorize  the  preparation  of  a  new  Ritual. 

"  Second.  We  recommend  that  this  National  Council  authorize  the 
preparation  of  a  Three-Degree  Ritual  with  a  modified  form  of  the  same. 

"  Third.  And  we  further  recommend  if,  by  the  action  of  this  National 
Council  a  new  Ritual  is  authorized  to  be  prepared,  that  a  special  Com- 
mittee on  Ritual  composed  of  three  members  be  appointed  by  the  National 
Board  of  Officers  to  formulate  said  Ritual,  and  present  the  same  to  the 
next  session  of  the  National  Council. 

"  M.  D.  Lichliter, 
"  R.  F.  Hamilton, 
'•  J.  Frank  Pate, 
"  H.  H.  Billany, 
"G.  W.  Payne, 

"Committee  on  Ritual." 

A  motion  to  adopt  the  recommendation  of  the  Committee 
relative  to  a  new  Ritual  was  made,  which,  however,  was  amended, 
that  the  same  be  referred  to  the  Board  of  Officers  with  authority 
to  appoint  some  one  to  write  a  Eitual  suitable  to  them  and  the 
same  tc  be  reported  at  the  next  session.     It  was,  of  course,  a  back- 


80  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

handed  slap  at  a  three-degree  Ritual,  and  as  no  compensation  was 
suggested,  it  was  the  opinion  of  all  friends  of  a  new  Ritual  that 
the  subject  was  "  shelved  "  for  two  years  at  least. 


The  session  of  1902,  held  at  Milwaukee,  Wis.,  found  the  mem- 
bers of  the  National  Body  still  "  at  sea  "  on  the  question  of  Ritual. 
As  was  expected,  in  view  of  the  resolution  referred  to  the  Board  of 
Officers  at  the  previous  session,  no  action  was  taken  by  the  Board 
relative  to  a  new  Ritual.  National  Councilor,  Brother  A.  L.  Cray, 
had  the  following  to  say  in  his  report: 

"  I  am  sorry  to  inform  you  that  we  are  still  without  a  new  Ritual ; 
nothing  in  this  line  will  be  submitted.  My  earnest  desire  was  that  we 
might  have  a  new  Ritual  to  submit  at  this  session  for  your  consideration. 
I  have  been  prompted  in  this  earnestness  from  the  fact,  that  our  present 
Ritual  is  in  the  possession  and  use  of  those  formerly  members  of  the  Order, 
but  now  out,  and  as  a  further  safeguard  against  imposition  of  this  class 
of  persons,  there  should  be  a  change,  and  a  better  Ritual  compiled  that  our 
Order  may  have  the  best." 

The  following  recommendation  was  appended  to  the  report: 

"  I  would  recommend  that  there  be  appointed  a  suitable  person  to 
prepare  a  new  Ritual,  to  be  presented  at  the  next  meeting  of  this  National 
Council  for  adoption." 

The  recommendation  was  referred  to  the  Ritual  Committee. 
The  following  recommendation  submitted  by  the  Board  of  Officers, 
took  the  same  course: 

"  That  an  appropriate  amount  be  fixed  by  the  National  Council  to 
be,  by  the  Board  of  Officers,  expended  in  securing  the  services  of  a  com- 
petent person  to  prepare  a  new  Ritual." 

The  Committee  on  Ritual  reported  relative  to  the  above  recom- 
mendations, as  follows : 

"  Your  Committee  to  Avhom  was  referred  Recommendation  3  of  the 
National  Councilor,  relative  to  the  appointment  of  a  committee  of  one  to 
prepare  a  Ritual  of  the  Order  to  be  presented  at  the  next  session  of  this  body, 
respectfully  recommend  the  disapproval  of  the  same,  and  suggest  that  a  Com- 
mittee of  three  be  appointed  with  full  power  to  arrange  for  the  prepara- 
tion of  a  three-degree  Ritual,  said  Committee  to  act  as  a  Board  of  Review 
in  the  compilation  of  said  Ritual  which  shall  be  presented  at  the  next 
session  of  the  National  Council  for  exemplification." 

In  the  consideration  of  the  report  of  the  Committee,  the 
National  Council  disapproved  the  same,  and  approved  the  recom- 
mendation of  the  National  Councilor,  without  any  stipulated 
amount  appropriated  or  named  for  the  preparation  of  said  Ritual ; 
and  once  again  the  subject  was  "  laid  on  the  shelf." 


UNITED  AMERICAN   MECHANICS  81 

The  only  reference  made  to  the  Ritual  at  the.  session  of  tlio 
.National  Body  at  San  Francisco,  Cal.,  in  1903,  was  by  the  National 
Councilor,  Brother  Bowers,  in  his  report  which  was  as  follows : 

"NEW  RITUAL. 

"  At  the  last  session  of  the  National  Council,  the  recommendation 
of  the  then  National  Councilor.  Bro.  Cray  that  "  a  suitable  person  be 
appointed  to  prepare  a  new  Ritual,  to  be  presented  at  the  next  session  of 
this  National  Council,  for  adoption,"  was  adopted.  The  National  Council 
did  not  indicate  by  whom  this  person  should  be  appointed,  nor  did  it  make 
any  appropriation  for  compensation  for  the  services  of  the  appointee.  In 
connection  with  this  subject,  I  received  the  following  letter:  " 

The  letter  referred  to  was  from  Rev.  Geo.  W.  Gallagher  of 
Lockport,  N.  Y.,  who  had  been  requested  to  write  a  three-degree 
Ritual  and  had  written  the  National  Secretary  as  to  the  conditions 
governing  the  preparation  of  the  work.  The  communication  being 
turned  over  to  the  National  Councilor,  he  entered  into  correspond- 
ence with  Brother  Gallagher  concerning  the  subject,  asking  for  sug- 
gestions relative  thereto,  and  the  amount  of  compensation  expected. 
To  this  communication  no  reply  was  received. 


•  Nothing  relative  to  a  new  Ritual  was  submitted  at  the  session 
of  the  National  Council,  at  its  meeting  at  St.  Louis  in  1904.  The 
Ritual  Committee,  however,  submitted  the  following,  which  was 
agreed  to : 

"  We,  your  Commitee  on  Ritual,  would  respectfully  report,  that 
after  mature  consideration  of  the  matter  placed  in  our  hands,  would 
recommend  that  the  National  Councilor  appoint  a  Committee  of  three 
members,  who  shall  formulate  a  suitable  obligation  and  charge,  to  be 
incorporated  in  our  State  Council  Ritual,  also  appending  thereto  an  order 
of  business  and  rules  of  order  to  govern  our  State  Councils  in  their  delib- 
erations. When  same  has  been  framed,  it  shall  be  forwarded  to  our 
National  Board  of  Officers  for  their  approval,  and  when  approved,  by  said 
Board,  shall  be  in  full  force  and  effect.  We  also  recommend  they  be  printed 
and  a  copy  sent  each  Council.  ([  T  „    ^ 

"R.  F.  Hamilton, 
"  R.   Atmae   Smith, 
"  C.  C.  Newman, 
"  N.  B.  Moose, 

"  Committee  on  Ritual." 

The  following  resolution  was  referred  to  the  Committee  on 
State  Council  Ritual: 

"  Be  it  Resolved,  by  the  National   Council,  Junior  Order  of   United 
American  Mechanics,  that  a  special   committee  of  three  be  appointed  for 
6 


82  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

the  purpose  of  preparing  a  new  Funeral  Ceremony,  and  that  said  com- 
mittee be  instructed  to  present  their  draft  to  the  next  meeting  of  this 
National  Council.  „  Q    M    HuNT; 

"  Geo.  A.  Gowan, 
"  H.  L.  W.  Taylor, 
"  H.  E.  Howse." 

Agreeable  to  the  action  of  the  National  Council  and  to  carry 
out  the  purposes  of  the  recommendation  and  resolution  as  above 
stated,  the  National  Councilor  appointed  as  Special  Committee  on 
Ritual,  Rev.  M.  D.  Lichliter,  of  Pennsylvania,  L.  L.  Hill,  of  Ken- 
tucky, and  W.  J.  Nesbit,  of  Alabama. 

A  resolution  requesting  the  Ritual  Committee  to  prepare  a 
closing  prayer  for  Subordinate  Councils  was  laid  on  the  table. 


The  National  Council  of  1905  met  in  the  beautiful  Southland 
City  of  Nashville,  Tennessee.  The  Special  Committee  on  Ritual, 
pursuant  to  the  instructions  of  the  National  Council  and  the  sug- 
gestions of  the  National  Councilor,  submitted  their  report,  and  the 
various  forms  of  ritualistic  service  presented  were  adopted,  which 
were  designated  as  follows: 

First.     Funeral  Ceremony. 

Second.     Opening  Ceremonies— State  Council. 

Third.     Closing  Ceremonies — State  Council. 

Fourth.     State  Council  Degree. 

Fifth.     Form  Installation  for  State  Council  Chaplain. 

Sixth.     Rules  of  Order — State  Council. 

A  resolution  asking  for  a  three-degree  Ritual  was  referred  to 
the  Committee  on  Ritual  and  read  as  follows : 

"  Be  it  Resolved,  by  the  National  Council,  Junior  O.  U.  A.  M.,  that  the 
National  Councilor  be,  and  is  hereby  authorized  to  appoint  a  Committee 
of  (3)  members  who  shall  formulate  a  suitable  three-degree  Ritual,  con- 
sisting of  long  and  short  forms  to  be  used  by  Subordinate  Councils;  the 
conferring  of  the  long  or  short  form  to  be  at  the  option  of  the  Subordinate 
Council." 

The  National  Body  concurred  in  the  recommendation  of  the 
Committee  that  such  a  Committee  be  appointed.  The  Special  Com- 
mittee appointed  consisted  of  A.  M.  DeHaven,  of  Pennsylvania; 
C.  H.  Wolfes,  of  West  Virginia,  and  Geo.  A.  Davis,  of  Maryland. 

Another  resolution  was  offered  asking  for  a  three-degree 
Ritual,  stipulating  the  compensation  for  an  acceptable  Ritual  to 
be  $500.     The  resolution  was  disapproved. 


UNITED  AMERICAN   MECHANICS  83 

The  Special  Committee  on  Ritual,  as  referred  to,  submitted 
their  report  at  the  first  Biennial  Session  of  the  National  Council, 
which  was  held  at  Boston,  Massachusetts,  June  18-20,  1907.  As 
everyone  expected,  the  Committee  had  no  Ritual  to  submit  to  the 
National  Body  for  their  consideration,  owing  to  the  fact  that  no 
compensation  had  been  assured  by  the  National  Council  at  its  meet- 
ing at  Nashville,  two  years  previous,  hence  the  Committee  were 
powerless  and  therefore  unable  to  offer  any  inducements  for  the 
preparation  of  a  suitable  Ritual.  The  Committee,  however,  recom- 
mended the  appointment  of  another  committee,  with  authority  to 
offer  $500  for  the  best  Ritual  that  might  be  presented. 

In  consideration  of  the  Committee's  report,  quite  an  animated 
discussion  of  the  subject  of  a  Ritual  took  place,  the  purport  of 
which  was,  that  no  Ritual  commensurate  with  the  dignity  and  stand- 
ing of  the  Junior  Order  could  be  prepared  for  the  price  named ; 
that  other  organizations  had  given  much  larger  amounts  for  suit- 
able ritualistic  ceremonies.  As  the  result  of  the  discussion,  the 
recommendation  of  the  Committee  for  the  appointment  of  a  Special 
Committee  on  Ritual  was  adopted,  with  an  amendment,  which  was 
accepted  by  the  Committee,  that  the  offer  for  a  suitable  Ritual  be 
made  $2,000. 

The  writer  has  for  years  been  an  ardent  advocate  for  a  new 
Ritual,  believing  the  one  in  use  has  "  seen  its  day,"  having  served 
its  purpose,  and  that  thousands  of  members  have  been  lost  to  the 
organization  because  of  inadequate  and  unsatisfactory  ritualistic 
ceremonies.  Such  an  Order  as  the  Jr.  O.  U.  A.  M.,  with  principles 
so  grand  and  sublime,  should  have  ritualistic  ceremonies  that  would 
stir  the  American  heart  when  conferred  upon  a  candidate,  and  it  is 
confidently  anticipated  by  the  friends  of  a  new  Ritual,  that  when 
the  National  Council  convenes  at  Detroit,  in  1909,  that  a  Ritual  will 
be  submitted  and  adopted.  The  Committee  appointed  by  the 
National  Councilor  is  composed  of  the  following  brethren:  Brothers 
Norman  Munson,  of  Maryland,  W.  F.  Grubbs,  of  Georgia,  and 
O.  Chacey,  of  Kansas. 


CHAPTER    VII 
6.  THE    NATIONAL    ORPHANS'  HOME 

THE  ORIGINAL  RESOLUTION 

THE  Fourth  Object  of  the  Junior  0.  U.  A.  M.  reads :  "  To  pro- 
mote and  maintain  a  National  Orphans'  home."  No  other 
Society  or  Association  maintains  a  National  Orphans'  Home. 
Other  Orders  have  their  Orphans'  Homes,  and  nobly  do  they  provide 
for  them,  but  they  are  local  in  character,  many  of  them  not  even 
having  any  official  supervision  only  so  far  as  it  is  supplied  by  local 
authority.  Ours  is  a  National  Orphans'  Home — national  in  its 
scope  and  maintenance,  an  intregal  part  of  the  whole  Order,  and  the 
entire  strength  of  the  organization  from  every  section  of  the  Union 
is  thrown  into  this  one  channel. 

The  Objects  of  the  Jr.  0.  U.  A.  M.  are  four  in  number— four 
pillars  on  which  the  superstructure  rests.  The  first  looks  to  the 
dangers  that  threaten  us  as  a  nation  and  suggests  the  safeguards. 
The  second  links  the  membership  with  the  dearest  purposes  of  life — 
the  care  of  their  families  in  the  darker  hours  of  human  existence. 
The  third  brings  men  in  touch  with  the  uplifting  and  ennobling  in- 
fluences of  popular  education,  the  sheet-anchor  of  our  Eepublic. 
These  are  great  and  noble  purposes  for  which  the  Order  stands; 
but  they  are  nothing  more  than  the  moon  reflecting  the  golden  rays 
of  the  greater  orb — the  Fourth  Object,  the  "  darling  "  Object  of  the 
Junior  organization.  Nothing  touches  the  heart-side  of  humanity 
so  tenderly  as  the  little  ones  thrown  upon  a  cold  and  selfish  world ; 
and  nothing  reveals  the  Christ-life  so  clearly  as  the  purpose  of  the 
Order  in  caring  for  them. 

The  full  history  of  the  National  Orphans'  Home,  at  Tiffin, 
Ohio,  cannot  be  told.  It  is  true  we  can  give  the  historic  facts  and 
details  connected  with  the  founding  and  achievements  of  the  Home ; 
but  no  one  can  unfold  the  real  story  that  is  graven  on  the  fleshy 
tablets  of  the  hearts  of  those  who  have  been  brought  in  closer 
relation  with  the  Institution. 

It  is  to  be  presumed,  that  among  the  many  thousands  of  mem- 
bers of  the  Junior  Order,  there  were  those  who  had  thought  of  an 
Orphans'  Home,  and  even  may  have  given  expression  of  their 
thought  to  others,  but  no  official  stamp  was  put  upon  it.  They 
were  familiar  with  other  organizations  that  were  giving  the  helping 


UNITED  AMERICAN   MECHANICS  85 

hand  to  the  little  ones  of  their  fraternal  Family,  and  wondered  why 

some  one  hud  not  come  to  the  front  with  the  suggestion  and  plan 
of  an  Orphans'  Home  for  the  Junior  Order.  That  some  one  did 
come  forth  and  the  National  Orphans'  Home  is  but  the  finished 
creation  of  a  developed  thought. 

To  the  State  Council  of  Ohio  is  due  the  honor  of  bringing  the 
subject  of  an  Orphans'  Home  to  the  attention  of  the  NTational 
Council;  but  it  is  fair  to  state  that  to  a  humble  worker  in  the  ranks 
is  due  the  credit  of  suggesting  the  thought  of  a  Home,  and  to  a 
Subordinate  Council  we  owe  our  thanks  for  first  giving  the 
thought  and  suggestion  official  action.  As  far  as  our  investigation 
goes,  as  given  by  Brother  Kernan,  it  is  quite  clear  that  to  Brother 
Charles  Lawrence,  at  the  time  a  member  of  Freedom  Council, 
No.  63,  of  Mansfield,  Ohio,  belongs  the  credit  of  suggesting  the 
idea  of  an  Orphans'  Home,  by  offering  in  his  Council  in  1891  a 
resolution  asking  the  Representatives  to  the  State  Council  to  bring 
before  that  body  the  feasibility  of  creating  a  "  Widows'  and 
Orphans'  Home."  This  was  the  inceptive  thought,  and  the  matter 
was  submitted  to  the  State  Council  of  Ohio,  the  same  year,  by 
Brother  Lawrence. 

The  resolution  submitted  to  the  State  Council,  known  as  the 
"  Original  Orphans'  Home  Resolution,"  is  as  follows : 

"  Findlay,   Omo,  May    13,    1891. 
"  To  the  Officers  and  Members  of  the  State  Council  of  Ohio,  Jr.  0.  U.  A.  M. 
"  Dear  Sirs  and  Brothers. — 

•*  Whereas,  We  believe  that  the  education  and  protection  of  the 
orphan  children  of  deceased  Brothers  should  be  one  of  the  principal 
objects  of  our  Order,  and  that  the  founding  and  maintenance  of  a  college 
where  the  higher  branches  of  education  shall  be  taught,  and  the  principles 
of  American  Patriotism  and  Virtue  shall  prevail,  be  it 

"  Resolved,  That  our  Representatives  to  the  National  Council  be 
instructed  to  present  this  resolution  to  that  body  and  that  they  use  their 
best  efforts  for  its  adoption.  tt  CjrABLES  Lawrence." 

It  was  left  to  Brother  J.  H.  Zimmerman,  of  Plain  City,  Ohio, 
to  take  the  initiatory,  and  so  fully  imbued  was  lie  with  the  noble 
purpose,  that  he  threw  his  whole  soul  into  the  movement  and 
work  and  justly  earned  the  title,  "  Father  of  the  Orphans'  Home." 
Acting  upon  the  Lawrence  resolution,  the  State  Council  of  Ohio 
placed  its  approval  upon  record  by  passing  a  resolution  instructing 
the  Representatives  to  the  National  Council  to  bring  the  matter 
before  that  body. 


86  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

In  conformity  with  the  above  resolution,  the  Representatives 
to  the  National  Council  from  Ohio,  at  the  session  of  that  body 
held  at  Cleveland,  Ohio,  June  18,  1891,  offered  the  following: 

"  Under  the  present  condition  and  laws  of  our  Order  when  a  member 
unites  with  us  we  greet  him  with  the  right  hand  of  fellowship,  and  pledge 
ourselves  to  be  earnest  friends  with  him  during  his  membership,  to  nurse 
and  tenderly  care  for  him  during  sickness  or  adversities,  and  should  he 
die  a  certain  amount  of  money  shall  be  paid  his  widow  and  children, 
should  he  leave  any.  When  this  is  done  we  consider  our  obligation  to 
the  deceased  brother  to  have  ceased,  and  no  attention  is  paid  to  the  fact 
that  his  death  may  have  caused  a  widow  and  orphan  children,  in  indigent 
circumstances,  to  be  thrown  upon  the  cold  charities  of  the  world.  The  widow 
is  compelled  to  shift  for  herself  while  the  children  are  scattered  and 
either  allowed  to  grow  up  in  ignorance  or,  as  is  sometimes  the  case, 
proselyted  into  and  reared  by  that  known  enemy  to  our  freedom  and  free 
institutions — the  parochial  school.  As  a  result  our  offspring  are  reared 
and  educated  to  tear  down  what  we  are  trying  to  build  up,  to  become 
un-American  and  endeavor  to  cause  the  downfall  and  destruction  of  the 
free  government  under  which  they  were  given  birth. 

"  This  evil  should  be  counteracted,  and  believing  the  Junior  Order 
United  American  Mechanics  is  fully  able  to  take  care  of  itself  and  the 
orphans  of  its  members,  we  would  recommend  the  establishing  of  an 
orphans'  home,  where  member's  widows  could  spend  the  remainder  of 
their  days  in  comfort,  and  their  children  would  be  so  educated  as  to  be 
true  American  men  and  women  when  they  arrive  at  maturity.  If  the  home 
should  be  placed  on  a  farm  of  good  land  it  would,  to  a  great  extent,  be 
self-supporting.  The  details  of  such  arrangement  we  leave  to  the  National 
Council,  further,  that  if  such  a  home  should  be  provided,  it  should 
at  all  times  be  under  the  immediate  control  of  the  National  Council  or 
a  Board  of  Managers  appointed  by  and  subservient  to  the  National 
Council. 

"  In  view  of  the  foregoing,  we,  the  Representatives  of  Ohio,  by  direc- 
tion of  our  State  Council,  offer  the  following: 

"Resolved,  That  this  National  Council  take  some  preliminary  steps 
toward  providing  a  home  for  the  orphans  of  deceased  members." 

On  motion  of  Brother  Elbert,  of  New  Jersey,  the  proposition 
was  referred  to  a  Special  Committee  to  report  at  the  next  session. 
The  Committee  consisted  of  Brothers  Elbert,  Anderson,  DeLancey, 
Zimmerman  and  Stroh.  The  Committee,  however,  at  the  next 
session  had  no  report  to  make  owing  to  the  absence  of  the  Secretary, 
Brother  Zimmerman.     The  Committee  was  continued. 

THE  FIRST  REPORT  OF  THE   COMMITTEE   ON   ORPHANS'   HOME 

It  was  at  the  National  session,  held  at  Detroit,  Mich.,  1893, 
that  the  Committee  got  down  to  real  business  in  the  presentation 
of  an  exhaustive  report  consisting  of  fifty-three  pages  of  manuscript 


UNITED  AMERICAN   MECHANICS  87 

and  thirteen  drawings.  The  report,  with  all  the  plans  and  draw- 
ings submitted,  was  the  work  of  Brother  J.  H.  Zimmerman,  Secre- 
tary of  the  Committee,  whose  devotion  to  duty  should  be  appreciated 
by  every  Junior  in  the  land. 

In  relation  to  the  object  of  the  Home,  Brother  Zimmerman 
refers  to  the  original  purpose  of  creating  a  "  Widows'  and  Orphans' 
Home";  that  there  would  be  objections  in  making  it  a  refuge  for 
widows,  etc.,  and  adds : 

"  The  one  great  object  of  the  Home,  to  my  mind,  is  to  care  for  the 
orphans,  and  so  rear  and  educate  them  that  they  will  be  honorable,  intelli- 
gent American  citizens." 

The  Secretary  of  the  Committee  then  refers  to  the  location 
for  the  Home  in  which  he  offers  some  suggestions: 

"  The  location  which  I  would  favor  would  be  a  farm  or  tract  of  land 
containing,  at  least,  150  acres  of  choice,  tillable  land,  and  far  more  atten- 
tion should  be  paid  the  natural  productiveness  of  the  soil  than  to  any 
other  thing." 

Speaking  of  several  sites  that  had  been  brought  to  his  attention 
that  in  his  judgment  would  be  desirable  locations,  he  continues : 

"  I  have  no  doubt,  but  that  when  the  time  comes,  and  we  shall  be 
ready  to  receive  proposals,  that  we  will  be  tendered  a  farm  free  in  con- 
sideration of  our  locating  the  Home  upon  it.  Not  only  this,  but  a  bonus 
in  cash  may  also  accompany  it  as  a  further  inducement,  but  I  claim  that 
any  inducement  or  bonus  that  may  be  offered  us  should  not  cause  us  to 
forget  or  overlook  the  natural  productiveness  and  advantages  of  the 
farm  offered." 

In  the  general  description  of  the  plan  for  the  Home,  two  plans 
were  submitted,  with  accompanying  drawings:  The  first,  was  the 
Main  Building  Plan,  and  the  other  the  Cottage  or  Village  Plan. 
Referring  to  the  first  plan,  drawings  were  submitted  showing,  as 
the  name  of  the  building  was  called,  Main  Building,  but  one  large 
building,  five  stories  in  height,  costing,  as  per  estimate,  $40,000, 
and  a  schoolhouse  and  chapel  as  a  separate  building  costing, 
approximately,  $11,000. 

The  second  plan  presented  was  the  Cottage  or  Village  Plan 
which,  to  Brother  Zimmerman's  mind,  possessed  many  advantages 
over  the  first  plan.  It  consisted  of  a  number  of  cottages  grouped  in 
a  circle  around  a  park,  there  being  a  street  in  front  of  the  cottages 
surrounding  the  park,  and  two  streets  leading  thereto,  on  which  the 
group  of  buildings  would  begin. 


S8  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

The  reason-  flic  latter  plan  was  favored  by  Brother  Zimmerman 
were  summarized  as  follows  : 

1.  It  will  lit  our  pocket-books  in  the  beginning. 

2.  Its  capacity  can  be  more  conveniently  increased  as  the  needs  of 
the  Order  may  require. 

3.  In  case  of  fire  it  is  not  probable  that  the  entire  Home  would  be 
destroyed,  as  might  be  the  result  in  the  case  of  the  main  building. 

4.  The  Home  would  be  more  beautiful  and  homelike  and  would  not 
have  the  appearance  of  a  "  reformatory  "  or  "  house  of  refuge." 

5.  The  village  plan  is  modern  and  in  keeping  with  the  times. 

Following  the  report  of  Brother  Zimmerman  made  to  the 
Committee,  the  Committee  submitted  the  following  to  the  National 
Body,  giving  to  Brother  Zimmerman  the  proper  acknowledgment 
for  the  work  accomplished: 

"First.  That  the  entire  report  be  printed  and  circulated  among  the 
membership,  in  order  that  all  may  become  acquainted  with  this  laudable 
undertaking. 

"  Second.  That  your  Committee  recommends  the  adoption  of  the 
second  or  Village  Plan  herein  recommended  by  Bro.  Zimmerman. 

"  Third.  We  recommend  that  during  the  ensuing  year  the  Committee 
be  instructed  to  receive  by  correspondence  any  proposal  that  may  be 
offered  by  any  council  or  councils,  as  to  what  aid  the  Committee  might 
expect  of  them  in  case  the  proposed  Home  should  be  located  in  their 
immediate  vicinity;  said  proposal  to  be  submitted  to  the  National  Council 
at  its  next  meeting." 

This  report  was  signed  by  four  of  the  Committee,  viz.:  Geo 
W.  Elbert,  W.  Pi.  Stroh,  J.  H.  Zimmerman  and  D.  F.  Anderson, 
Curtis  DeLancy,  the  other  member  not  being  present  at  the  session. 
The  report  was  accepted  by  the  National  Body  and  the  preliminary 
steps  had  been  taken  toward  the  erection  of  the  present  Home  at 
Tiffin,  Ohio. 

From  the  report  of  the  Committee  to  the  National  Council, 
held  at  Asheville,  N.  C,  in  1894,  we  learn  that  the  year  previous 
had  been  full  of  hard  work  for  Brother  Zimmerman,  with  the 
assistance  of  National  Secretary  Deemer.  Pursuant  to  the  action 
of  last  session,  2,500  copies  of  the  report  of  the  Committee  had  been 
printed,  correspondence  invited,  and  pledges  asked  toward  the 
erection  of  the  Home.  The  Committee  reported  to  the  Asheville 
session,  that  under  the  supervision  of  Brother  Zimmerman,  the  work 
of  education  along  the  line  of  the  Orphans'  Home  had  gone  on 
through  the  press  of  the  Order  and  by  correspondence,  and  that 
there  was  an  awakening  upon  the  subject.  While  the  Committee 
did  not  receive  the  amount  of  pledges  they  had  hoped  for,  yet  they 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  89 

were  encouraged  and  asked  that  the  Committee  be  continued,  with 
instructions  to  push  the  work  as  rapidly  as  possible:  and  at  the 
same  time  to  make  the  matter  of  location  the  business  of  the  next 
session  of  the  National  Body. 

The  amount  pledged  was  as  follows: 

Pennsylvania    $2,350.00 

Ohio     7G8.00 

New   Jersey    406.50 

West  Virginia    25.00 

Maryland     25.00 

Indiana 27.50 

Illinois     51.00 

P.  S.  C.  Creighton 15.00 

Miscellaneous     35.00 

Total    $3,703.00 

Circulars   sent  out 1,911 

Answers    received     312 

Councils  promised  to  aid 256 

Councils  unable  to  promise 55 

Councils  disapproved  of  the  idea 1 

The  report  of  the  Committee  was  optimistic,  however,  and 
they  felt  that  once  the  location  was  settled,  that  the  Order  would 
come  to  the  help  of  the  Home.  The  report  and  recommendations 
of  the  Committee  were  received  and  adopted,  and  the  Committee 
continued,  Brother  J.  W.  Calver  having  been  appointed  on  the 
Committee. 

THE   ESTABLISHMENT   OF   THE    HOME 

The  period  between  the  sessions  of  1894  and  1895,  so  far  as 
the  Orphans'  Home  project  is  concerned,  was  marked  with  mighty 
purposes,  while  with  the  Committee  it  was  intensely  strenuous. 
Hitherto  the  work  had  been  largely  theoretical,  simply  stepping- 
stones  to  grander  possibilities ;  but  now  the  Committee  had  entered 
the  realm  of  the  practical,  and  were  in  position,  at  the  session  of 
1895,  to  present  to  the  National  Body  something  tangible. 

Early  in  the  year  the  Committee  met  at  Pittsburg,  Pa.,  where 
plans  were  inaugurated  looking  toward  the  selection  of  a  location 
for  the  Home.  Pursuant  to  instructions,  the  Secretary  of  the 
Committee  advertised  for  proposals  for  the  location  of  the  Institu- 
tion until  January  1,  1895.  In  order  to  give  two  of  the  places 
more  time  to  fully  present  their  claims,  the  time  for  receiving  pro- 
posals was  extended  to  February  23,  1895.  In  the  meantime, 
National   Councilor,  Brother  Richter  issued  a  call  to  the  entire 


90  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

Order  asking  for  a  donation  of  fifty  cents  per  capita  from  the 
membership  to  aid  in  the  construction  of  the  Home.  Thus,  on  two 
separate  and  distinct  lines  the  work  proceeded,  viz.:  Procuring  a 
location  for  the  Eome  and  means  to  build  it. 

The  following  places,  with  propositions  attached,  were  pre- 
sented to  the  Committee,  viz. : 

1.  The  Pomona  Land  Company  at  Brigantine  Junction,  near  Atlantic 
City,  N.  J.,  agreed  to  sell  40  acres  at  less  than  $300  per  acre. 

2.  The  Brumbaugh  Brothers  of  Pipersville,  Pa.,  proposed  selling 
their  farm  of  250  acres,  near  Altoona,  Blair  County,  for  $15,000. 

3.  Liberty,  Mo.,  offered  the  following  inducement,  and  presented  the 
following  reasons  why  the  Home  should  be  located  near  that  place:  $1,000 
bonus. 

a.  Because  this  is  a  geographical  center. 

b.  Because  of  its  railroad   facilities.    Kansas   City  is  only   15   miles 

distant. 

c.  Educational  facilities.     Three  colleges,  one  public  school,  and  one 

high  school. 

d.  We   have   just   received   the    Independent   Order   of   Odd   Fellows' 

Home  for  Missouri. 

e.  The  fertility  of  the  soil. 

4.  Gettysburg,'  Pa.,  through  Battlefield  Council,  No.  717.  The 
inducements  held  out  was  mainly  the  importance  of  the  location  from  a 
historic  standpoint.     No  bonus  was  offered. 

5.  Asheville,  N.  C,  through  Asheville  Council,  No.  6,  proposed  that 
beautiful  spot  for  the  Home.  No  other  inducement  was  offered,  excepting 
the  natural  scenic  surroundings  of  the  locality,  and  the  healthfulness  of 
the  place. 

6.  Bellwood,  Pa.,  through  National  Representative,  C.  E.  Steel,  was 
proposed,  "  very  good  site  "  being  offered. 

7.  Boiling  Springs,  near  Carlisle,  Pa.,  through  Carlisle  Council,  No. 
574.  The  merits  of  the  site  proposed  were  fully  presented  by  the  Com- 
mittee, in  a  long  letter  to  the  Secretary  of  the  Orphans'  Home  Committee. 
The  site  proposed  consisted  of  a  farm  of  122  acres,  situated  in  the  famous 
Cumberland  Valley,  very  fertile  and  well  located  as  to  getting  to  and 
from.  The  water  supply  came  from  the  Boiling  Springs,  a  spring  of 
pure  water  the  output  of  which  was  2200  cubic  feet  per  hour.  No  bonus 
was  ofTered  in  the  original  proposal. 

8.  Springfield,  Ohio,  was  presented,  but  not  very  earnestly  pressed 
as  they  had  already  three  Homes.  "We  are  not  very  anxious  for  the 
Home,  as  it  is  an  expense  all  the  time.  There  will  be  visitors  here  all 
the  time  and  they  must   lie  cared   for." 

9.  Colorado  Springs,  Colo.,  while  not  making  a  special  proposal, 
wrote  for  information,  relative  to  the  Eome,  etc.,  but  no  further  action 
was  taken  by  their  Committee. 

10.  Youngstown,  Ohio,  was  proposed  by  the  Board  of  Commerce,  and 
a  farm  of  100  acres  and  a  bonus  of  $10,000  offered. 

11.  Allentown,  Pa.,  through  Allen  Council,  No.  753,  made  a  formal 
offer  to  give  $100  if  the  Home  was  located  near  their  city,  or  $50  if 
located   in  Pennsylvania. 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  91 

12.  Maueh   chunk.    Pa.,    through    Brother   W.    R.   Stroh,   member  of 

the  Orplnins'  Home  Committee.  Five  different  sites,  four  of  them  con- 
sisting of  35  acres  each,  and  one  of  60  acres,  wore  offered  with  a  bonus 
of  $10,000.  The  merits  of  Maueh  Chunk  were  fully  presented  by  the 
Committee,  as  healthful  and  attractive,  styling  the  place  as  the  ''Switzer- 
land of  America." 

13.  In  an  elaborate  report,  Tiffin,  Ohio,  through  Young  America 
Council.  No.  130,  was  proposed  as  the  location  of  the  Home  and  11  loca- 
tions and  offers  were  submitted.  With  justifiable  pride  the  Committee 
presented,  as  prefatory,  the  following: 

"  The  project  has  taken  deep  hold  of  our  membership,  and  the  people 
in  general  of  our  city,  and  we,  in  this  substantial  manner,  give  evidence 
to  our  feeling.  We  are  proud  that  the  Home  is  an  Ohio  idea,  for  Obio  is 
foremost  in  every  sphere  of  endeavor." 

Referring  to  the  claims  of  Pennsylvania  to  the  Home  in  view  of  her 
great  membership,  nearly  one-half  in  the  Order,  the  Committee  add: 

"It  is  true  our  membership  is  not  equal  to  Pennsylvania's;  but 
remember,  if  the  Home  is  located  in  Ohio,  each  brother  has  pledged  himself 
to  give  an  extra  dollar  in  addition  to  the  fifty  cent  call  made  by  our 
honored  National  Councilor,  so  that  Ohio  will  be  close  to  Pennsylvania  in 
donations  to  the  building  fund." 

Speaking  of  the  fertility  of  Seneca  county,  the  character  of  the 
City  of  Tiffin,  the  fact  that  it  is  easy  of  access,  the  Committee  presented 
the  following  sites  and  offers: 

1.  One  hundred  acres  and  $13,000,  or   125  acres  and  $11,000.     This 

proposal  was  changed  to  155  acres  and  no  bonus. 

2.  A  farm  of  207  acres,  175  of  which  was  bottom  land. 

3.  One  hundred  and  sixty  acres  and  $10,000. 

4.  One  hundred  and  fifty  acres,  with  gas  and  oil  on   farm. 

5.  One  hundred  and  fifty  acres  and  $5,000. 

6.  One  hundred  and  fifty  acres  and  $10,000. 

7.  One  hundred  and  sixty  acres  and  $7,000. 

8.  One  hundred  and  sixty  acres  and  $5,000. 

9.  One  hundred  and  fifty  acres  and  $5,000. 

10.  One  hundred  and  fifty  acres  and  $5,000. 

11.  One  hundred  and  eighty  acres   and  $2,500. 

12.  Twenty-five  thousand  in  cash  and  Committee  to  select  their  own 

location. 

To  consider  the  above  locations  and  hear  representatives  for 
same,  the  Committee  on  Orphans'  Home  met  at  the  Monongahela 
House,  Pittsburg,  Pa.,  February  23,  1895.  All  the  Committee 
excepting  Brother  DeLancy,  of  New  Hampshire,  were  present,  and 
Past  State  Councilor  Stephen  Collins  of  Pennsylvania,  Past  State 
Councilor  F.  J.  Shaler,  of  Illinois,  and  National  Councilor  J.  (!.  A. 
Richter  were  asked  to  sit  with  the  Committee.  The  rules  of  the 
Committee  were  as  follows: 

1.  Debate  before  the  Committee  unlimited;  but  a  city  or  proposal 
once  finished  shall  remain  finished,  and  shall  not  again  be  opened,  except 
by  unanimous  consent  of  the  Committee. 


92  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

2.  All  representatives  of  the  same  city  will  be  admitted;  but  not 
the  representatives  of  two  <>r  more  cities  at  the  same  time. 

3.  Reporters  invited  to  be  present  during  the  receiving  of  proposals. 

4.  Bro.  Stroh  to  act  as  press  committee  and  take  care  of  reporters. 

The  Secretary  proceeded  to  read  the  proposals  as  referred  to 
above,  but  no  one  was  present  to  represent  any  of  them  until  that 
of  No.  7  w;is  reached,  Boiling-  Springs,  Pa.,  whereupon,  Dr.  C.  E. 
Wogan  and  linn.  M.  A.  Emerick  appeared  in  behalf  of  this  location. 
They  were  authorized  to  offer  a  farm  free  consisting  of  122  acres 
which  would  cost  $20,000. 

The  committee  from  Youngstown  represented  the  claims  of 
that  locality,  offering  a  farm  of  100  acres*  and  $10,000.  Mauch 
Chunk  Avas  represented  and  offers,  as  per  Proposal  12,  were  sub- 
mitted. The  Committee  from  Young  America  Council,  No.  136, 
of  Tiffin,  Ohio,  then  presented  their  propositions  as  given  above, 
and  Dr.  H.  L.  Wenner,  a  member  of  Young  America  Council, 
and  State  Councilor  of  Ohio,  was  their  spokesman,  and  in  a  most 
earnest  and  enthusiastic  manner  did  he  represent  the  claims  of 
Tiffin.  The  Doctor  from  the  beginning  was  in  thorough  sympathy 
with  the  proposed  Home,  and  the  Order  owes  much  to  him  for  the 
assistance  rendered  the  first  years  of  the  Institution,  when  it  not 
only  needed  moral,  but  financial  support  as  well. 

The  Committee  decided  to  reject  all  proposals,  except  those  of 
Boiling  Springs,  Pa.,  and  Tiffin,  Ohio,  and  hold  them  under  advise- 
ment until  the  meeting  of  the  National  Council. 

The  Committee  was  not  able  to  report  very  much  money 
raised,  owing  to  the  fact  that  there  was  a  hesitancy  about  pledging 
any  amount  until  the  matter  of  location  was  settled.  The  Com- 
mittee having  failed  to  decide  between  Boiling  Springs,  Pa.,  and 
Tiffin,  Ohio,  there  sprang  up  a  rivalry  between  these  two  places 
to  secure  the  prize.  Boiling  Springs  took  the  initiative  by  appeal- 
ing for  outside  aid,  and  under  the  approval  of  the  Board  of  Officers 
of  Pennsylvania,  Carlisle  Council,  No.  574,  sent  circulars  to  all 
Councils  in  the  state.  The  State  Council  of  Ohio,  in  session  at 
Mansfield,  in  May,  met  this  movement  by  rallying  the  Councils 
of  the  state  to  the  aid  of  Y"oung  America  Council,  No.  136,  and 
the  following  result,  in  pledges,  was  reported: 

Pennsylvania  Councils  will  give  for  Boiling  Springs.     $200.00 

"      "    Tiffin     Nothing-. 

Ohio  Councils  will  give  for  Boiling  Springs $      40.00 

"    Tiffin    2,810.50 


UNITED  AMERICAN   MECHANICS  93 

A  further  conditional  pledge  which  the  Committee  received, 
was  from  State  Councilor  Dr.  H.  L.  Wenner  offering,  in  the  name 
of  the  State  Board  of  Officers,  one  dollar  per  capita  for  the  State 
of  Ohio,  providing  the  Home  was  located  at  Tiffin. 

This  magnificent  offer  from  the  Board  of  Officers  of  Ohio, 
added  to  the  offer  of  land,  money  and  other  considerations  by 
Young  America  Council,  No.  136,  of  Tiffin,  Ohio,  made  the  total 
sum  pledged  from  the  old  Buckeye  State  of  Fifty-five  Thousand 
Five  Hundred  Dollars,  with  no  other  consideration  than  that 
the  Home  be  located  at  Tiffin.  Magnificent  generosity!  All  hail 
to  the  Buckeye  State  to  whose  princely  offerings  others  have  been 
added  from  that  time  until  the  present. 

We  have  referred  to  the  one  who  gave  the  first  suggestion  of 
a  Home  for  orphans,  and  to  the  Council  that  placed  upon  record  the 
first  resolution  looking  toward  the  establishment  of  such  a  Home. 
But  it  is  asked,  Who  contributed  the  first  dollar  toward  the  Insti- 
tution ?  The  report  of  the  Committee  on  Orphans'  Home  answered 
the  question,  viz. :  Susquehanna  Council,  No.  73,  of  Maryland, 
contributed  one  dollar  December  18,  1894. 

The  Committee  on  Orphans'  Home  submitted  the  following 
recommendations  at  the  Omaha  Session  of  1895 : 

"  1.  We  recommend  that  a  Home  for  Widows  and  Orphans  of  our 
Order,  as  contemplated,  be  established. 

"  2.  We  recommend  that  said  Home  be  established  at,  or  near  the 
city  of  Tiffin,  Ohio,  and  that  the  Committee  be  empowered  to  make  selec- 
tion from  the  various  locations  offered,  receive  deed  for  the  conveyance 
of  the  property  in  the  name  of  the  National  Council,  Junior  Order  United 
American  Mechanics  of  the  United  States  of  America,  and  enter  upon 
and  take  possession  of  the  same  in  the  name  of  the  National  Council, 
Junior  Order  United  American  Mechanics,  as  aforesaid,  as  soon  as  the 
Committee  has  procured  the  assurance  that  it  will  receive  and  command 
the  sum  of  thirty  thousand  dollars,  to  be  paid  within  two  years. 

"3.  That  this  National  Council  set  apart  the  first  week  in  April  to 
be  known  as  '  Orphans'  Home  Week,'  during  which  week,  all  Subordinate 
Councils  of  the  Order  be  requested  to  hold  entertainments,  festivals,  fairs, 
etc.,  for  the  benefit  of  the  Home,  and  that  the  National  Councilor  be 
instructed  each  year,  to  issue  a  proclamation,  calling  the  attention  of  the 
membership  throughout  the  United  States  to  the  proper  observance  of  this 
festival  week. 

"  4.  That  the  appeal  of  Brother  National  Councilor,  J.  G.  A.  Richter, 
asking  for  a  donation  of  fifty  cents  per  capita  from  the  entire  membership 
of  the  Order,  to  the  support  of  the  Home  be  renewed  by  the  Board  of 
Officers   of   the   National    Council,   and    that   the   Board    be    instructed    to 


94  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

officially   bring   this  matter  before   the   attention  of  the    Hoard   of  Officers 
of  the  various  State  Councils  with  as  little  delay  as  possible." 

These  recommendations  were  signed  by  the  Committee,  viz.: 

(J.  W.  Elbert,  W.  R.  Steoh, 

J.  11.  Zimmerman,  J.  W.  Calver. 

In  the  consideration  of  the  recommendations  before  the  Na- 
tional Body,  the  subject  was  discussed  with  animation  and  the  ayes 
and  nays  were  frequently  called.  In  the  consideration  of  the  first 
recommendation,  mi  motion  of  Brother  A.  D.  Wilkin,  of  Pennsyl- 
vania, it  was  carried  by  a  vote  of  llfi  ayes  to  35  nays. 

The  National  Council  then  took  up  the  second  recommenda- 
tion, as  to  the  location  of  the  Home,  whereupon,  H.  W.  Buser,  of 
Pennsylvania,  moved  to  strike  out  all  after  "  Junior  Order  United 
American  Mechanics  "  and  insert  a  provision  that  it  be  referred  to 
the  vote  of  the  members  of  the  Order  for  their  approval  or  dis- 
approval. The  point  of  order  was  raised  by  Brother  Wilkin  that 
the  amendment  was  not  in  order,  which  was  so  decided  by  the 
National  Councilor,  from  which  decision  an  appeal  was  taken,  but 
the  National  Councilor  was  sustained. 

It  was  quite  clear  that  there  was  an  element  in  the  National 
Council  that  was  opposed  to  the  proposed  location,  as  per  recom- 
mendation of  the  Committee,  and  every  form  of  parliamentary  tac- 
tics wras  brought  forward  to  defeat  the  recommendation.  Buser 
then  changed  his  amendment  to  read  "Vote  cast,"  but  Brother 
Wilkin  again  raised  the  point  of  order  that  the  amendment  was  not 
germane,  which  point  also  the  National  Councilor  decided  well 
taken.  Buser  then  changed  his  amendment  again  so  as  to  read, 
"  Approval  of  the  majority  vote  of  Subordinate  Councils."  Finally 
the  amendment  was  made  to  read  as  follows: 

"  Provided  that  the  Orphans'  Home  Committee  be  continued  for 
another  year,  and  that  the  action  of  the  National  Council  in  deciding  to 
erect  a  Widow's  and  Orphans'  Home  be  submitted  to  the  Subordinate 
members  of  the  Order  for  approval  or  disapproval:  said  vote  to  be  taken 
on  the  first  meeting  night  in  September,  1805.  and  if  a  majority  of  the 
votes  cast  be  in  favor  of  such  action,  as  shown  by  the  returns  computed 
by  the  Board  of  Officers,  at  a  meeting  held  on  September  16,  the  Committee 
shall  proceed  to  accept  the  offer,  and  the  National  Secretary  shall  prepare 
the  necessary  papers  to  take  the  vote." 

The  amendment  being  stated,  the  ayes  and  nays  were  called, 
whereupon  70  voted  in  favor  of  the  amendment  and  85  against,  so 
the  motion  to  amend  was  not  agreed  to.  Upon  the  question  being 
stated,  "Shall  the  main  question  be  put?"  the  ayes  were  89  and 


UNITED  AMERICAN   MECHANICS  95 

the  nays  58.  The  question  recurring  on  the  original  motion  of 
Brother  Wilkin  to  adopt  the  second  recommendation,  the  ayes  were 
102  and  the  nays  51.  Recommendations  3  and  4  were  then  agreed 
to.  Thus  by  a  substantial  majority  the  Home  was  established, 
and  the  location  for  it,  Tiffin,  Ohio.  In  a  study  of  the  vote  on  the 
question,  Delaware,  Maryland  and  Virginia  were  opposed  to  the 
establishment  of  the  Home  as  well  as  the  local  ion  of  the  same. 
while  Penns}dvania  split  about  even.  On  the  question  of  location, 
New  Jersey  split  half,  although  on  the  question  of  establishing 
the  Home,  she  voted  solidly  in  favor. 

Subsequently,  in  the  session,  the  Committee  on  Orphans' 
Home  offered  the  following  recommendation  to  be  added  to  their 
original  report: 

"  That  the  Committee  on  Orphans'  Home  are  hereby  requested  to 
take  no  action  in  regard  to  the  establishment  of  a  Home  for  Widows 
until  directed  by  the  National  Council." 

The  recommendation  was  asrreed  to. 


CHAPTER   VIII 
NATIONAL  ORPHANS'  HOME  (Concluded) 

SITE  OF  THE   HOME 

THE  first  epoch  of  the  Orphans'  Home — its  establishment — was 
ended,  and  we  now  enter  upon  its  second  epoch,  the  location 
of  site  and  opening  of  the  Home  and  its  subsequent  achievements. 

The  report  of  the  Committee  on  Orphans'  Home  to  the  Na- 
tional Council  at  its  meeting,  June  18,  1896,  held  at  Denver,  Colo., 
tells  the  story: 

"  Jn  pursuance  of  a  call  by  the  Chairman,  Brother  G.  W.  Elbert,  the 
Committee  met  at  Tiffin,  Ohio,  October  3,  1S95,  for  the  purpose  of  making 
a  selection  from  the  various  farms  offered  by  Young  America  Council, 
No.  136,  of  Tiffin,  for  the  permanent  location  of  the  proposed  Orphans' 
Home.  The  members  of  the  Committee  present  were  Brothers  Elbert, 
Calver  and  Zimmerman.  Headquarters  were  established  in  Room  39  of 
the  Empire  House,  and  at  7.30  a.m.  the  Committee  started  in  carriages 
on  a  tour  of  inspection.  We  were  accompanied  by  Brothers  Dr.  H.  L. 
Wenner,  P.  A.  Bradley  and  F.  A.  Mabery,  and  during  the  forenoon  visited 
and  inspected  the  farms  of  Dr.  Isaac  Kagy,  C.  D.  Lease,  Frees  Heirs,  and 
H.  A.  Waggoner,  when  the  party  returned  to  the  hotel  for  dinner.  At  1.15 
p.m.  the  party  was  again  in  the  carriages,  and  during  the  afternoon  visited 
farms  known  as  the  Neikirk  &  Cramer,  A.  Buskirk,  Michael  Kellar,  John 
Baker,  Leroy  Michaels  and  the  Bretz-Kellar  farm,  familiarly  known  as 
the  '  Park  Farm.' 

"  Immediately  after  supper  Brother  Elbert  called  the  Committee  to 
order  in  executive  session  in  Room  39,  when  the  advantages  and  disad- 
vantages of  the  several  farms  offered  were  considered  until  7.30  p.m., 
when  the  local  committee  was  admitted  and  allowed  a  hearing.  The  local 
committee  retired  at  8  o'clock,  and  after  further  consideration,  the  Secre- 
tary was  ordered  to  issue  the  following: 

"  '  To  Dr.  H.  L.  Wenner,  Chairman,  Committee  on  Orphans'  Home,  Young 
America  Council,  No.  136,  Junior  0.  U.  A.  M.,  Tiffin,  Ohio.' 
"  '  Dear  Brother. — ' 
"  '  At  a  meeting  of  the  Committee  of  the  National   Council,  Junior 
O.  U.  A.  M.,  to  establish  an  Orphans'  Home  at  or  near  the  city  of  Tiffin, 
Ohio,   we  beg  leave  to  hereby  inform  you  that  said  committee  has   per- 
sonally visited  and  inspected  the  various  farms  offered,  and  by  a  unanimous 
vote  of  the  members  present  we  have  chosen  the  Bretz-Kellar  farm,  just 
north  of  Riverview  Park.' 

" '  Trusting  our  selection  will  be  for  the  mutual  benefit  of  your 
Council  and  the  Order  at  large,  we  are ' 

"  'Yours    fraternally,'  "  ( '  signed  ' ) 

"*G.  W.  Elbert,' 
"'J.    W.    Calver,' 
96  "  '  J.   H.   Zimmerman  '." 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  97 

It  has  long  since  become  apparent,  even  to  those  who  in  the 
beginning  were  prejudiced  to  the  location,  that  no  better  selection 
could  have  been  made.  The  farm  chosen  consists  of  177  acres  of 
as  fertile  land  as  can  be  found  anvwhere,  situated  on  the  banks 
of  the  Sandusky  River  and  convenient  to  the  city  of  Tiffin.  The 
most  important  outside  feature  connected  with  this  location  and  one 
that  entered  somewhat  in  the  selection  of  same,  is  the  Park  adjoin- 
ing, the  free  use  of  which  has  been  accorded  the  children  of  the 
Home.  This  magnanimous  privilege  granted,  thus  affording  a 
playground,  meant  and  still  means  thousands  of  dollars  to  the 
Home,  as  without  that  privilege  the  Trustees  of  the  Home  would 
have  been  compelled  to  provide  a  playground  on  their  own  land 
which  would  have  been  costly,  not  only  in  material  and  work,  but 
in  preoccupying  valuable  land. 

In  speaking  of  the  munificent  contribution  towards  this  noble 
purpose  of  Young  America  Council,  ISTo.  136  in  particular,  and 
of  the  State  of  Ohio  in  general,  the  Committee  submitted  the 
following : 

"  This  magnificent  location  of  farm  is  given  to  the  Order  absolutely 
free.  It  don't  cost  us  a  single  penny,  but  it  does  cost  Young  America 
Council,  No.  136,  of  Tiffin,  Ohio,  the  sum  of  twenty-nine  thousand  five 
hundred  dollars,  spot  cash,  and  the  Council  then  deeds  it  over  to  us  '  for 
and  in  consideration  that  we  take  it.'  What  an  enormous  donation  this 
is  for  a  single  Council  that  is  not  yet  five  years  old. 

"  Brothers,  listen  a  few  moments  until  we  tell  you  of  the  greatness 
of  Tiffin  and  the  State  of  Ohio  in  regards  to  the  Home.  In  the  first  place, 
Young  America  Council,  No.  136,  gives  us  the  Riverview  Farm,  at  an 
average  cost  to  them  of  nearly  seventy  dollars  per  capita,  and  then  many 
make  additional  donations.  Think  a  moment,  seventy  dollars  per  capita! 
Members  outside  of  Ohio  are  only  asked  for  fifty  cents.  We  can  summarize 
as  follows: 

"  Young  America   Council,   No.   136 $29,500.00 

Park    privileges,    material,    convenience,    etc.,    esti- 
mated       10,000.00 

State  Council  of  Ohio 15,500.00 

Subordinate  Councils  of  Ohio 2,816.50 

Ohio's   total   gift   to   the   Order $57,816.50 " 

("  Ohio's  total  gift  means  an  average  of  per  capita  donation 
of  three  dollars  and  seventy-three  cents,  or  more  than  seven  times 
as  much  as  is  asked  from  members  outside-  the  Buckeye  State") 

At  the  same  time  the  Committee  on  Orphans'  Home  had 
selected  the  location,  the  Secretary  was  authorized  to  send  out  to 
all  the  Councils  of  the  Order  a  circular  letter  containing  twelve 


98  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

question?,  among  which  were:  How  much  each  Council  would 
pledge  and  send  in  money  previous  to  March  1,  1896?  How  many 
children  there  were  ready  to  be  sent  to  the  Home?  Whether  the 
Council  was  in  favor  of  a  parade  when  the  Committee  was  ready 
to  take  possession  of  the  Home  and  how  many  members  would 
attend  ? 

Outside  of  Ohio,  398  Councils  were  heard  from,  232  of  which 
pledged  themselves  to  pay  to  the  Committee  previous  to  the  time 
stated,  $9,495.60.  In  addition  22  Councils  by  letter  and  not  by 
regular  blanks,  pledged  $850.85,  making  the  total  pledged  outside 
of  Ohio,  of  $10,276.45. 

In  reference  to  the  number  of  children  of  deceased  brothers 
ready  to  be  sent  to  the  Home,  31  Councils  gave  notice  that  they 
would  make  application  for  admission  of  150  children,  and  17 
Councils  gave  notice  by  letter,  and  not  by  blank,  that  they  had  52 
children  ready  to  send,  making  a  total  number  of  children  reported 
ready  for  admission  to  the  Home  of  202. 

In  the  matter  of  having  a  public  demonstration  at  the  time 
the  Committee  took  formal  possession  of  the  Home,  301  Councils 
favored  the  suggestion,  80  objected  and  17  failed  to  make  choice. 
These  were  from  Councils  outside  of  Ohio,  and  the  number  pledged 
to  take  part  in  such  a  demonstration  was  8,235  which,  with  those 
pledged  from  Ohio,  made  a  grand  total  of  13,591. 

An  important  meeting  of  the  Committee  on  Orphans'  Home 
was  held  at  Philadelphia,  Pa.,  March  19  and  20,  1896.  The  deed 
for  one  of  the  farms  was  turned  over  to  the  Committee,  and  arrange- 
ments were  made  to  have  the  deed  of  the  other  tract  by  April  15, 
in  order  that  the  Organization  could  come  into  entire  possession. 
At  this  meeting  plans  for  buildings  and  the  laying  out  of  the 
grounds  were  examined,  and  the  Committee  selected  those  of 
Charles  Ernest  &  Co.,  of  Tiffin,  Ohio.  The  plans  consisted  of 
eighty-two  drawings,  beginning  with  a  contour  map,  a  bird's-eye 
view  of  the  Home  when  completed  and  floor  plans  and  perspectives 
of  all  buildings  contemplated.  The  Committee  selected  three  de- 
signs for  cottages,  and  finally  agreed  to  take  Cottage  C  as  the  first 
one  to  construct. 

THE    OrENING   OF    THE    HOME 

It  was  impressed  upon  the  Committee  that  there  should  be  a 
representative  on  the  ground,  and  that  the  Home  should  be  started 
as  soon  as  possible.  With  this  end  in  view,  the  Committee  elected 
the  Secretary,  Brother  J.  H.  Zimmerman,  Superintendent  of  the 


-•  -r- — "' 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  99 

Home  for  a  term  of  five  years,  at  a  salary  of  $750  the  first  year. 
Rules,  forty  in  number,  for  the  government  of  the  Home  were 
adopted. 

In  conformity  with  the  action  of  the  Committee,  the  Superin- 
tendent took  charge  of  the  farm  and  occupied  the  two-story  frame 
building  in  the  month  of  April,  1896,  and  there,  on  August  18, 
same  year,  was  received  the  first  orphans,  four  in  number.  Farm- 
ing operations  were  inaugurated  by  the  Superintendent,  a  farmer 
employed  and  fifty  acres  of  corn  was  planted  and  three  acres  in 
potatoes.  The  contract  for  Cottage  No.  1  was  given  out  and  work 
thereon  was  started  early  in  August.  The  response  to  the  appeals 
for  funds  for  the  Home,  netted  $13,072.32,  which  was  turned 
over  to  the  National  Secretary,  by  Secretary-Superintendent. 
Brother  Zimmerman. 

In  harmony  with  the  principles  of  the  Order,  Brother  J.  W. 
Calver  presented  the  Home  with  "  Old  Glory,"  and  the  same  was 
unfurled  from  the  original  building,  with  appropriate  ceremonies, 
May  1,  1896,  Dr.  Wenner  and  others  making  addresses,  the  cere- 
monies opening  and  closing  with  prayer. 

With  the  adoption  of  the  report  of  the  Committee  on  Orphans' 
Home  by  the  National  Body  at  Denver,  the  Order  was  pledged  to 
its  support  and  maintenance,  and  that  which  many  thought  was 
but  a  "  dream  "  in  the  mind  of  Brother  Zimmerman,  was  now  a 
reality.  Even  the  National  Secretary,  Brother  Deemer,  in  his 
report  to  this  session  admits  that  he  was  pessimistic.  The  follow- 
ing quotation  from  his  report  expresses  the  feeling  of  many  in  the 
early  years  of  the  Orphans'  Home  project: 

"  Very  feAv  of  us,  I  ween,  had  any  idea  that  the  proposition  would 
ever  reach  a  tangible  form.  The  reports  of  the  Committee  on  Orphans' 
Home  were  made  annually  and  very  few  of  lis  had  any  idea  that  it  would 
ever  reach  the  dignity  of  a  deed  for  nearly  thirty  thousand  dollars'  worth 
of  property.  While  many  of  us  were  looking  upon  the  matter  as  a  fancy, 
the  one  in  whose  brain  the  subject  was  conceived  was  deadly  in  earnest, 
and  one  year  ago  he  presented  to  this  body  an  offer  which  could  not  be 
refused,  and  so  to-day,  our  Order  stands  pledged  to  the  erection  of  an 
Orphans'  Home  in  the  city  of  Tiffin." 

Brother  Deemer,  however,  alluded  to  the  difficulties  in  the  way 
of  the  Home  and  the  legal  questions  that  had  to  be  met,  owing 
to  the  fact  that  the  courts  had  decided  that  "  no  assessment  could 
be  made  for  any  purpose  not  clearly  expressed  in  our  laws."  In 
harmony  with  the  suggestion  of  the  National  Secretary,  the  title 
"  Orphans'    Home    Committee "    was    stricken    out   and    a   set   of 


100  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

resolutions  creating  a  "  Board  of  Trustees  "  consisting  of  five  mem- 
bers, and  powers  bestowed  upon  them,  was  adopted  by  the  National 
Council.  By  virtue  of  this  action,  the  National  Councilor  ap- 
pointed the  following  Board  of  Trustees: 

G.  W.  Elbert,  of  New  Jersey,  W.  E.  Stroh,  of  Pennsylvania, 

J.  W.  Calver,  of  Pennsylvania,  Amos  L.  Cray,  of  Indiana, 

Dr.  H.  L.  Wenner,  of  Ohio. 

Brother  Stroh  having  resigned  during  the  year,  Brother  W.  D. 
Butterfield,  of  Michigan,  was  appointed  in  his  place. 

COTTAGE  NO.   1 

The  Board  of  Trustees  of  the  Orphans'  Home  in  July,  1896, 
closed  the  contract  for  the  erection  of  Cottage  No.  1,  Cuthbert 
&  Stewart,  of  Tiffin,  Ohio,  being  the  contractors.  Work  upon  the 
building  was  commenced  early  in  August  and  the  corner-stone  was 
laid  September  2,  1896. 

The  ceremonies  attending  the  laying  of  the  corner-stone  were 
of  an  enthusiastic  character,  and  were  under  the  direction  of  Young 
America  Council,  No.  136,  of  Tiffin.  There  was  present  a  large 
audience,  and  many  of  the  surrounding  Councils  were  represented. 
The  orator  of  the  day  was  a  member  of  Freedom  Council,  No.  63, 
of  Mansfield,  Ohio,  Hon.  W.  S.  Kerr.  It  is  spoken  of  by  those 
who  attended  the  ceremonies  as  a  most  impressive  occasion,  the 
memories  of  which  linger  pleasantly  with  all  who  were  present. 

On  August  IS,  1896,  the  first  children  were  admitted  to  the 
Home,  four  in  number,  from  one  family,  viz. :  Luella  Vanarsdale. 
aged  12  years;  Edward  T.  Vanarsdale,  aged  9  years;  Geo.  T. 
Vanarsdale,  aged  8  years,  and  Frank  W.  Vanarsdale,  aged  6  years, 
all  received  from  Wanamie  Council,  No.  549,  of  Wanamie,  Penn- 
sylvania. These  children  occupied  the  post  of  honor  during  the 
ceremonies,  sitting  by  the  side  of  Superintendent  Zimmerman  and 
his  wife. 

It  was  while  the  exercises  were  in  progress,  that  a  most  affect- 
ing incident  occurred.  A  telegram  called  the  Superintendent  to 
the  depot  to  receive  the  second  installment  of  children  for  the 
Home.  Their  names  were  Jennie  E.  Stone,  aged  8  years,  Hannah 
M.  Schwindt,  aged  8  years,  and  Bertha  Schwindt,  aged  10  years, 
all  sent  by  Major  Wm.  H.  Jennings  Council,  No.  367,  Shenandoah, 
Pa.  Just  as  Brother  Kerr  had  concluded  his  oration,  Brother 
Zimmerman,  with  the  above  named  new  arrivals,  walked  up  the 
steps  and  took  seats  on  the  platform,  each  of  the  little  girls  carry- 


UNITED  AMERICAN   MECHANICS  101 

ing  a  doll  in  her  arms.  The  band  played  "  Home,  Sweet  Home/' 
whereupon  the  little  ones  began  to  weep,  when  out  of  sympathy 
and  love  for  the  orphans,  there  was  not  an  eye  in  that  audience 
of  patriots  that  did  not  moisten. 

So  rapidly  did  the  work  on  the  building  progress,  that  by 
February  1,  1897,  the  little  but  much  crowded  family  from  the 
original  cottage  were  moved  in,  and  on  February  12,  appropriate 
dedicatory  exercises  were  held  under  the  auspices  of  Young  Amer- 
ica Council,  No.  136.  At  this  service,  the  principal  oration  was 
made  by  Dr.  L.  A.  Perce,  State  Councilor  of  Ohio,  while  short 
addresses  were  made  by  Brothers  Eev.  E.  E.  Swords,  Rev.  F.  L. 
Sigmund,  Dr.  H.  L.  Wenner,  Superintendent  J.  H.  Zimmerman 
and  the  matron,  Miss  Annie  C.  Hoge.  Into  this  building  Brother 
Zimmerman  took  from  the  old  building  which  had  been  the  tem- 
porary Home,  nineteen  children,  which  number  with  the  Superin- 
tendent's own  family  and  help,  made  twenty-eight  persons  in  all. 

The  building,  with  furniture,  cost  $9,505.69,  and  was  intended 
to  accommodate  forty  children,  but  by  the  time  the  National  Body 
met  at  Pittsburg,  June,  1897,  there  were  thirty-eight  children 
in  the  Home. 

The  report  of  the  Trustees  of  the  Home  to  the  National  Coun- 
cil held  at  Pittsburg,  was  very  encouraging  and  showed  that  the 
membership  was  earnestly  striving  to  maintain  it.  The  Superinten- 
dent gave  the  best  of  satisfaction  in  the  management  of  the  farm, 
and  in  a  detailed  report,  showed  every  item  of  expense  and  the 
value  of  everything  belonging  to  the  Home.  The  total  receipts 
from  all  sources,  since  the  last  report,  was  $12,094.92. 

In  addition  to  Cottage  No.  1,  the  Trustees  erected  an  electric 
light  and  water  station,  at  a  cost  of  $2,370.89.  An  ice  house  also 
was  constructed,  besides  many  minor  improvements  about  the  farm, 
putting  it  under  better  cultivation. 

Two  years  previous  to  the  session  of  the  National  Council  at 
Pittsburg,  the  National  Body  decided  to  establish  a  Home,  and  the 
location  was  fixed  at  Tiffin.  Fifteen  months  previous  the  Commit- 
tee on  Orphans'  Home  took  possession  of  the  property,  and  installed 
a  Superintendent.  On  June  1,  1897,  the  Board  of  Trustees  "took 
stock,"  and  the  result  of  the  Order's  investment  far  exceeded  the 
most  sanguine  expectation.  It  will  be  gratifying  to  every  Junior, 
even  at  this  day,  to  know  the  summary.     It  is  as  follows : 


102  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

Cottage  No.    1 $9,505.69 

Furniture    and    clothing 1,044.71 

Office    inventory    305.11 

Superintendent's   residence    779.06 

Light  and  water  station 2.370.89 

Dry  goods  on  hand '. 30.92 

Farming   tools   and   implements 909.95 

Live   stock    2,039.00 

Blacksmith   shop   and   quarry 853.47 

Garden   tools    35.45 

Total     $17,874.25 

Add  to  this  the  value  of  farm   (cost  value) 29,500.00 

Grand  total    $47,374.25 

On  this  property,  valued  at  nearly  $50,000,  there  was  not  at 
that  time  one  cent  of  indebtedness,  while  the  Treasurer's  report 
showed  on  hand,  $2,533.75.  The  Superintendent's  report  showed 
that  the  acreage  sown  for  the  year's  harvest  was  as  follows :  Wheat, 
201/2  acres;  corn,  20  acres;  rye,  5  acres;  oats,  23  acres;  potatoes, 
31/.  acres;  garden  truck,  3  acres;  timothy  and  clover  to  mow,  25 
acres. 

The  National  Council  in  1898  met  in  the  city  of  Louisville, 
Kentucky.  During  the  year  the  foundations  of  the  Orphans' 
Home  were  made  stronger  by  the  adoption  of  the  Sixth  Object,  viz. : 
'•  To  establish  and  erect  an  Orphans'  Home  for  the  orphans  of  our 
deceased  members  of  the  Order,  and  maintain  the  same."  The 
Object  having  gone  to  the  Subordinate  Councils  for  their  vote,  the 
result  was  announced  at  this  session.  The  vote  stood  19,140  in 
favor  of  the  Object  and  16,224  against. 

THE   NATIONAL   ORPHANS'    HOME   UPHELD  BY   NATIONAL 
COUNCILORS 

None  were  more  enthusiastic  for  the  progress  of  the  Home 
than  those  who  occupied  the  position  of  National  Councilor.  Two 
years  previous,  the  then  National  Councilor,  Brother  P.  A.  Shanor, 
in  urging  the  Councils  to  rally  to  the  support  of  the  Home,  ex- 
presses himself  in  the  following  brilliant  manner: 

"  The  establishment  of  a  National  Orphans'  Home  was  the  most 
sublime  and  worthy  conception  of  the  National  Council.  It  found  its 
birth  in  the  unselfish  and  generous  conviction  that  the  Order  owed  a 
duty  to  the  children  of  its  deceased  members;  that  the  bonds  of  fraternity 
were  not  severed  at  death,  but  that  they  should  continue  to  be  entwined 
around  the   loved  ones  of  those  of  our  brothers   who  had  been  called  to 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  103 

the  other  shore,  protecting,  defending,  comforting  and  caring  for  them 
at  times  when  other  resources  failed. 

"No  nobler  work  could  enlist  the  efforts  and  engage  the  powers  of 
any  brotherhood.  To  care  for  the  living  is  to  honor  the  dead.  To  protect 
and  care  for  his  orphan  is  to  put  evergreen  upon  the  grave  of  the  departed 
brother.  To  raise  his  boy  a  true  American  is  the  greatest  memorial  that 
can  be  erected  to  the  memory  of  the  patriot  who  has  been  called  hence. 

"  It  is,  and  ever  should  be,  a  labor  of  love.  It  should  engage  our 
highest  powers,  and  enlist  our  most  active  sympathies.  To  scatter  sun- 
shine along  the  path  of  our  orphans  will  illumine  our  own  lives.  Their 
joy  will  be  reflected  in  us,  and  we  will  reap  gladness  from  their  happiness." 

No  less  earnest  was  National  Councilor,  Brother  Jos.  Powell, 
who,  during  the  year  past  urged  the  members  of  the  Order  to  do 
their  duty  in  voting  for  the  Sixth  Object,  and  issued  a  proclama- 
tion to  all  the  Councils  to  that  effect.  In  that  proclamation, 
Brother  Powell  has  the  following  to  say : 

"  We  should  not  only  consider  it  a  solemn  duty  devolving  upon  each 
of  us,  but  it  should  be  held  as  a  rare  privilege  to  vote  for  the  adoption 
of  an  object  which  shall  rescue  from  a  turbulent  sea  the  little  ones,  who 
may  be  drifting,  God  knows  whither,  and  place  them  in  the  lighthouse — 
our  Orphans'  Home. 

"  The  adoption  of  this  most  sacred  object  will  lead  to  the  moulding 
by  our  noble  Order,  of  the  minds  of  the  future  statesmen  and  '  great 
women,'  who  will  point  to  the  great  Junior  Order  United  American 
Mechanics  as  their  benefactor,  and  thus,  as  they  take  their  places  among 
our  country's  workers,  will  our  Order  become  very  closely  allied  to  the 
government,  and  thus  will  the  Orphans'  Home  become  the  solid  rock  on 
which  we  stand,  and  thus,  will  it  become  the  great  centre  about  which 
will  cluster  our  other  great  achievements." 

Could  there  be  anything  in  human  language  more  brilliant 
than  from  the  "  Demosthenes  of  the  Order,"  Dr.  J.  L.  Cooper, 
six  years  later,  when  National  Councilor,  in  his  appeal  to  the 
membership  to  give  an  evening  or  a  day  to  helping  the  Home: 

"  Fort  Worth,  Texas,  April  1,  1904. 

"  To  all  Members  of  the  Junior  Order  United  American  Mechanics. 
"  Dear  Sirs  and  Brothers. — 
"  I  beg  to  greet  you  again  in  Virtue,  Liberty  and  Patriotism.  This 
beautiful  spring  morning  seems  to  be  the  "  Avant-Courier,"  emerald- 
gemmed  and  floral-decked  herald  of  spring's  first  entree,  as  she  weaves 
winter's  cold  winding  sheet  about  her,  and  places,  with  rapt  tenderness, 
the  first  fair  garlands  upon  her  icy  tomb.  The  sparkling  sunbeams  of 
this  April  morning  are  now  caressing  in  love  the  fragrant  foliage  of  the 
tangled  wildwood.  And  thus  the  swaying  of  Nature's  grand  organ  peal, 
swells  through  the  aisle  of  the  forest  sanctuary,  and  the  violet,  the  daisy 
and  the  dewdrop,  smiling  from  her  bosom,  peep  through  earth's  bright 
vernal  veil.  As  we  gaze  in  rapt  admiration  upon  this  glorious  prospect — 
the  tall  trees  rejoicing  in  their  strength ;   the  green  slopes  of  the  valleys 


104  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

which  constitute  the  grand  banquet  halls  of  Nature;  the  sweet,  thrilling 
song  of  the  feathered  tribe;  the  hum  of  the  busy  bee;  the  bursting  of 
the  bud  with  its  sweet  perfume ;  the  cheering  rays  of  the  glorious  sunshine ; 
the  babbling  of  the  brook  as  it  sends  over  laughing  pebbles  wavelets  of 
rippling  silver,  all  moving,  as  it  were,  like  some  vast  panorama  before 
us,  the  spontaneous  utterance  of  the  soul  is,  '  How  beautiful  is  Earth, 
how  true  to  Nature  is  her  God.' 

"  As  we  muse  upon  the  munificence  displayed  by  Him  who  '  Doeth 
all  things  well,'  upon  ourselves,  our  homes,  our  friends  and  our  country, 
a  spirit  of  love  and  gratitude  should  flow  from  our  souls  in  exclamations 
of  love  and  praise.  And  while  thus  we  bathe  in  the  rapturous  glories  of 
the  springtime,  I  felt  that  we  ought  to  be  willing  to  give  one  day  or 
one  evening  in  a  labor  of  love,  toward  helping  our  orphan  children  at 
our  splendid  Home  in  Tiffin. 

"  I  know  we  are  living  in  busy  times.  I  know  that  the  magnitude 
and  grandeur  of  man's  successful  undertakings,  which  are  constantly 
recurring  to  our  view,  strike  us  with  awe  in  contemplation.  I  know  that 
each  day  brings  something  more  for  wonder  and  amazement;  that  each 
year  is  pregnant  with  new  inventions,  and  each  more  wonderful  that  the 
last.  I  know,  too,  that  each  swelling  billow  of  time  flings  out  upon  its 
frothy  crest  some  new  originality;  that  we  stand  ever  in  expectation, 
watching  each  successive  roll;  that  Progress  is  a  greedy  monster,  whose 
appetite  is  insatiable,  always  sweeping  the  whole,  still  asking  for  more, 
with  curious  eyes  peering  into  the  unknown  future,  ever  demanding  new 
creations. 

"  Amidst  the  whirlpool  of  daily  excitement,  permit  me  to  suggest 
and  recommend: 

"  That  every  Subordinate  Council  in  the  National  Jurisdiction  do 
something  during  the  month  of  May,  either  by  giving  some  appropriate 
entertainment,  or  by  voluntary  contributions  at  your  regular  meetings 
raise  subscriptions  for,  and  forward  same  to  our  Orphans'  Home." 

In  the  report  of  the  Board  of  Trustees  of  the  Orphans'  Home 
to  the  National  Council  at  Louisville,  they  stated  that  during  the 
year,  the  Superintendent,  Brother  J.  H.  Zimmerman,  the  "  father 
of  the  Home,"  had  resigned,  and  Past  National  Councilor,  Rev. 
Jno.  Pi.  Boblits,  had  been  elected  to  fill  the  position.  Finding  that 
more  room  was  needed,  the  Trustees  contracted  for  Cottage  No.  2, 
and  work  began  in  its  construction  early  in  the  year.  The  thanks 
of  the  Order  are  due  Dr.  H.  L.  Wenner  for  making  it  possible 
to  erect  Cottage  No.  2,  by  personally  advancing  money  and  endors- 
ing notes  and  aiding  in  many  ways  the  Institution. 

Luella  Vanarsdale,  known  as  No.  1,  the  first  child  to  be  ad- 
mitted to  the  home,  died  October  19,  1898.  She  was  buried  on  the 
Home  farm. 

The  Trustees  in  their  report  to  the  National  Council  at  Min- 
neapolis, Minn.,  in  1899,  stated  that  there  had  been  another  change 
in  the  office  of  Superintendent,  Brother  Boblits  having  resigned 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  105 

in  September,  1898,  and  Truman  W.  Varian  was  elected  in  his 
place,  November  18,  same  year.  In  the  meantime  the  president 
of  the  Board,  Brother  Elbert,  assumed  charge  of  the  Home.  Cot- 
tage No.  2  was  completed  during  the  year  and  was  filled  up  at 
once  with  children,  there  being  in  the  Home  April  30,  1899,  eighty- 
four  orphans.  The  maintenance  of  the  Home,  for  five  months 
under  Brother  Varian's  administration,  for  food,  clothing,  general 
expenses,  etc.,  the  average  number  of  children  being  seventy-eight, 
was  $5,586.36,  a  per  capita  of  $71.62,  or  $171.89  per  annum. 

The  inventory,  including  Cottage  No.  1,  valued  at  $10,000, 
Cottage  No.  2,  valued  at  $14,000,  the  farm  valued  at  $25,000,  was 
placed  by  the  Trustees  at  $62,877.20. 

COTTAGE  NO.  2 

Cottage  No.  2,  known  as  the  "boy's  cottage,"  was  completed 
in  1898  at  a  cost  of  about  $15,000,  and  consists  of  kitchen,  dining- 
room  and  fan  room  in  basement.  On  first  floor  are  the  reception 
room,  school  room,  boys'  private  bin-room  and  library;  on  second 
floor  is  the  dormitory,  superintendent's  and  family  rooms,  boys', 
matron's  and  teachers',  toilet  and  bath,  and  store  room ;  on  the  third 
floor  is  the  large  boys'  dormitory  and  the  sleeping  apartments  for 
the  employees  of  the  Home. 

This  building,  like  Cottage  No.  1,  is  built  of  brick  and  fin- 
ished in  yellow  pine,  and  contains  twenty-four  rooms.  Past  Na- 
tional Councilor  John  W.  Calver  had  the  honor  of  laying  the  corner- 
stone of  this  structure  in  the  presence  of  National  Councilor  Jos. 
Powell. 

We  will  let  Brother  C.  H.  Kernan,  the  present  Superintendent 
of  the  Home,  describe  further  this  building,  and  the  manner  of  how 
the  Home  is  conducted.  We  quote  from  Brother  Kernan's  article 
published  in  The  American,  Home  Edition,  in  1905,  the  same  being 
taken  from  a  pamphlet  giving  a  history  of  the  Home,  prepared  by 
Brother  Kernan : 

"  In  1903  the  Board  of  Trustees  decided  to  add  on  to  Cottage  No. 
2  for  the  purpose  of  increasing  the  dormitory  space,  and  to  furnish  a 
large  swimming  pool  and  better  sanitary  conditions  in  wash  and  toilet 
rooms.  They  were  the  more  able  to  carry  this  decision  into  effect  by  the 
generosity  of  Ohio  Juniors,  who  made  a  very  liberal  donation  to  the  Home 
during  their  State  Session  in  Tiffin,  Ohio.  A  building  to  conform  in 
style  with  the  rest  of  the  building  was  added;  the  lower  floor  contains  a 
large  swimming  pool  15x20  laid  up  in  cement,  wash  room  and  toilet 
rooms.     The  first  floor  is  used  for  school  rooms;  the  second  floor  contains 


106  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

twenty-four  iron  beds,  and  the  top  floor  contains  one  hundred  and  five 
yellow  pine  lockers  for  the  boys'  Sunday  clothes.  The  whole  building  is 
finished  in  yellow  pine,  and  not  only  adds  to  the  main  building  in  appear- 
ance, but  it  has  been  built  at  the  cost  of  $3,900,  a  very  reasonable  price 
in  Tiffin,  and  makes  it  possible  to  conform  to  those  sanitary  rules  necessary 
in   similar    institutions. 


"Another  improvement  has  been  made  in  Cottage  No.  2  that  has 
added  to  the  beauty  of  the  building,  and  has  also  had  a  far-reaching  effect 
on  the  morals  in  the  Home. 

"  In  the  room  where  the  toilet  and  bath  rooms  had  been,  in  the  front 
of  the  building  is  now  a  magnificent  library,  containing  1,500  volumes  of 
choice  and  selected  literature.  This  is  known  as  the  Maryland  Room  and 
Library,  and  it  is  so  called,  because  the  entire  room,  books  and  book- 
cases, were  furnished  by  the  Maryland  Juniors. 

DINING-ROOM 

"  From  the  library  we  come  back  into  the  hall  and  pass  down  to 
the  dining-room  containing  twelve  long  tables.  Children  and  employes 
eat  in  the  same  room.  You  will  pardon  us  for  calling  attention  to  the 
table  settings.  One  of  the  rules  laid  down  emphatically  to  each  Superin- 
tendent is  to  make  the  Home  as  much  like  a  private  home  as  possible. 
The  Superintendent  and  matron  must  be  father  and  mother,  and  in  no 
place  can  the  elements  of  culture  be  so  quickly  instilled  objectively  than 
in  the  furnishings  and  care  of  the  dining-room.  In  so  large  a  family  the 
discipline  must  be  more  rigidly  enforced  than  in  a  small  family.  The 
element  of  time  enters  largely  into  the  management  of  a  Home,  and  for 
that  reason  there  must  be  methods  for  passing  to  and  from  the  dining- 
room  that  would  not  be  necessary  in  a  small  family,  in  this  way  freedom 
of  action  is  limited;  but  only  in  this  way.  The  greatest  freedom,  con- 
sistent with  order  and  the  good  of  all,  is  given  to  the  children.  I  trust 
you  will  pardon  this  digression  to  explain  one  of  the  peculiarities  of  our 
Home  that  has  so  great  an  influence  on  the  welfare  of  our  children. 

"  From  the  dining-room  you  pass  into  the  kitchen  through  a  large 
hallway,  which  you  cannot  see  in  the  picture.  In  this  hallway  are  doors 
leading  into  the  milk  room  and  storeroom.  Thirty  gallons  of  milk  are 
supplied  and  used  daily  by  the  children,  and  over  one  hundred  loaves  of 
bread  are  consumed,  together  with  the  other  food.  You  can  see  what 
we  have  each  day  by  looking  at  a  bill  of  fare  for  the  past  week. 

DORMITORY 

"  From  the  dining-room  we  pass  up  stairs  in  the  rear  of  the  building 
to  the  boys'  dormitory.  In  the  picture  you  see  only  half  of  the  dormi- 
tory, but  since  that  was  taken  the  partition  passing  through  the  centre 
has  been  removed  and  now  there  is  one  large  room,  forty  by  sixty,  con- 
taining fifty  single  beds.  The  work  in  this  room  is  done  entirely  by 
the  boys,  and  I  am  sure  you  will  agree  with  me  that  a  boy  is  none  the 
worse  because  he  has  been  taught  to  sweep  a  fioor  or  make  a  bed. 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  107 


CLOTHING 

"  The  care  of  the  clothes  is  always  a  serious  question  in  a  family 
the  size  of  ours,  and  the  greatest  strictness  and  regularity  must  be  insisted 
upon  to  get  the  best  results.  You  notice  in  the  sides  of  the  room,  in  tlie 
dormitory,  bins  arranged  so  that  each  boy  has  a  bin  for  his  clothes.  Each 
boy  is  taught  to  care  for  his  school  suit.  The  suits  are  numbered,  and 
when  he  removes  his  school  or  Sunday  suit  it  must  be  folded  properly 
and  put  in  his  bin.  His  work  is  thoroughly  inspected,  and  any  negligence 
on  his  part  is  reported  promptly.  Each  boy  is  entitled  to  three  suits 
of  clothes — a  Sunday  suit,  school  suit,  and  play  suit.  The  underclothing 
will  be  spoken  of  later  when  we  come  to  the  bath-room. 

GRAMMAR    DEPARTMENT 

"  On  the  same  floor  with  the  dormitory  is  the  office  and  private 
sleeping  rooms.  Then  on  the  third  floor,  as  mentioned  before,  are  sleeping- 
rooms.  Passing  down  to  the  first  floor  again,  we  come  to  the  grammar 
department.  In  this  picture  you  see  the  entire  school  assembled  for  their 
morning  exercise.  The  children  are  in  the  act  of  saluting  the  flag.  They 
use  the  following  words  (a  color  guard  of  four  boys  has  brought  in  the 
American  flag),  the  children  at  the  proper  signal,  say:  'I  give  my  head, 
my  heart,  to  God  and  my  country:  one  country,  one  language,  one  flag.' 
After  the  salute  to  the  flag  comes  singing,  reading  the  Scriptures,  prayer, 
another  song,  and  at  8.30  the  school  work  for  the  day  begins.  I  should 
like  to  pause  and  speak  to  you  about  these  children,  for,  after  all,  they 
only  are  of  importance.  Here  you  find  representatives  from  many  states 
— Pennsylvania,  Ohio,  Colorado,  New  York,  Virginia,  North  Carolina, 
Kentucky,  Tennessee,  New  Jersey,  Maryland,  and  Indiana.  But  we  must 
pass  on  to  other  objects  not  so  interesting." 

THE    CRISIS   OF   THE    NATIONAL    ORPHAN'S   HOME 

The  crisis  through  which  the  Order  passed  during  the  period 
that  intervened  between  the  meeting  of  the  National  Body  at  Min- 
neapolis, Minn.,  and  the  meeting  in  Philadelphia,  Pa.,  in  June 
of  1900,  was  a  trying  one  for  the  Orphans'  Home.  Having 
assumed  a  debt  of  $18,000  prior  to  the  meeting  at  Minneapolis, 
and  owing  to  the  rebellion  in  the  Order  immediately  following 
the  above  named  meeting  whereby  the  Home  was  deprived  of  the 
per  capita  tax  of  the  insurgent  membership,  the  Board  of  Trustees 
were  greatly  embarrassed  in  conducting  the  affairs  of  the  Insti- 
tution. Yet  a  clause  in  their  report  to  the  session  of  the  National 
Body  in  1900  should  thrill  every  heart :  "  We  have  not  been  com- 
pelled to  turn  away  from  the  Home  any  child  entrusted  to  our 
care  or  refuse  admittance  to  any  who  applied,  for  want  of  resources 
with  which  to  provide  for  them." 

Notwithstanding  the  adverse  conditions  under  which  the  Trus- 
tees had  to  work,  progress  was  made  and  several  needed  improve- 


108  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

ments  secured,  such  as  heating  plants  in  both  cottages,  boilers, 
pumps,  and  range  in  kitchen,  amounting  to  about  $4,000,  making 
a  net  increase  in  valuation  over  previous  year  of  $3,935,  or  a  total 
valuation  of  $66,812.20. 

The  loyal  Councils,  however,  came  to  the  rescue  of  their  Home, 
and  hearkened  to  the  appeal  sent  out  for  assistance  and  thousands 
of  dollars  poured  into  the  treasury.  It  was  only  needed  to  strike 
the  rock  of  unselfish  devotion  in  the  great  heart  of  the  Order,  to 
cause  a  stream  of  love  and  mercy  to  flow  to  gladden  the  dear  little 
ones  under  the  organization's  care.  One  Council,  Harry  Clay, 
No.  7,  of  Philadelphia,  Pa.,  responded  nobly  to  the  call  for  help 
in  the  Home's  critical  hour,  by  loaning  the  National  Council  for 
the  Home,  the  sum  of  $3,000,  without  interest. 

Another  change  of  superintendent  was  made  during  this 
period,  Truman  W.  Varian  resigning  in  October,  1899,  and 
Brother  George  B.  Nesbitt,  of  Welcome  Council,  No.  134,  of  Pitts- 
burg, Pa.,  being  elected  in  his  place.  Mrs.  Nesbitt  was  elected 
matron  at  the  same  time.  Past  National  Councilor,  Brother  Jos. 
Powell,  owing  to  ill  health,  resigned  as  Secretary  of  the  Board  and 
Brother  R.  D.  Bowland,  of  Maryland,  was  elected  to  fill  the  vacancy. 
It  is  said,  "  Death  loves  a  shining  mark."  This  was  surely  true, 
as  Brother  John  K.  Marlin,  a  member  of  the  Board  from  Penn- 
sylvania, a  most  ardent  worker,  a  loyal  Junior  and  a  true-blue 
patriot,  "  ceased  to  work  and  live." 

Brother  Nesbitt  entered  upon  his  duties  as.  Superintendent  of 
the  Home  when  it  was  passing  through  its  crucial  hour.  Lack 
of  funds  and  the  constant  demands  for  payment  of  bills,  with  a 
debt  of  $18,000  when  he  assumed  charge,  confronted  the  new  Super- 
intendent, hut  heroically  he  and  his  devoted  wife  met  the  situation, 
giving  unstintedly  their  services  and  attention  to  the  Order's 
wards,  so  that  when  they  handed  in  their  resignations  as  super- 
intendent and  matron  during  the  National  Council  year  of  1901- 
1902,  the  debt  on  the  Home  had  been  reduced  to  $4,000  and  the 
Institution  had  become  a  permanent  fixture  that  neither  rebellion 
in  the  Order  or  doubts  and  fears  could  shake. 

THE  JE.  O.  IJ.  A.  M.  NATIONAL  ORPHANS'  HOME  ASSOCIATION  OF 
ALLEGHENY    (PA.)    COUNTY 

One  great  need  of  the  Home,  to  which  attention  had  been 
called  in  a  previous  report,  was  a  greenhouse.  This  appeal  met 
with  a  hearty  response  upon  the  part  of  the  Juniors  of  Western 
Pennsylvania.     Early   in  the  summer   of   1898,   Mr.   Dunnavant, 


•••* 


ORIGINAL  ORPHANS'  HOME   PICNIC  COMMITTEE 
Allegheny  County,  Pa. 


GREENHOUSE  ERECTED  BY   ALLEGHENY  COUNTY   (PA.) 
PICNIC  ASSOCIATION 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  109 

of  the  Lake  Erie  Railroad,  suggested  to  the  writer,  who  at  thai 
time  resided  in  Pittsburg  and  was  Junior  Past  State  Councilor, 
the  idea  of  arranging  a  picnic  along  the  line  of  the  road  he  repre- 
sented to  be  under  the  auspices  of  the  Junior  Order.  As  our  time 
was  taken  up  with  other  duties  we  directed  him  to  see  Brothers 
Stephen  Collins,  Geo.  B.  Nesbitt  and  F.  J.  Shaler,  assuring  him 
of  our  hearty  cooperation  in  such  a  project.  The  above  named 
brothers  gave  the  matter  favorable  consideration,  whereupon  a 
committee  was  constituted  consisting  of  six  persons  known  as  the 
original  "  Orphans'  Home  Picnic  Committee,"  viz. :  Stephen  Col- 
lins, George  B.  Nesbitt,  Fred.  J.  Shaler,  C.  J.  Cleland,  Harry  R. 
Peck  and  the  writer  (See  Plate,  which  was  taken  on  Decora- 
tion Day  at  the  first  picnic  held,  the  writer  being  unable  to  attend 
owing  to  an  engagement  previously  arranged  to  make  a  Memorial 
Address) . 

This  committee  arranged  for  the  holding  of  the  picnic  at 
Ashtabula  Harbor,  Ohio,  on  Memorial  Day  of  the  year  above 
named  and  invited  the  members  of  the  Order  to  participate,  which 
was  a  success.  The  writer  in  view  of  his  position  as  Junior  Past 
State  Councilor  was  recognized  as  the  Chairman  of  said  committee. 
In  justice  to  the  other  members  of  the  committee  (Brother  Nesbitt, 
Past  State  Councilors  Collins  and  F.  J.  Shaler),  I  must  say  that 
they  did  the  work,  assuming  the  major  portion  of  the  labor  and 
responsibility;  being  faithfully  assisted  by  Bros.  Peck  and  Cleland. 
The  proceeds  of  the  picnic  were  given  the  Home,  a  portion  of  it 
through  Sam.  Harper  Council  that  was  furnishing  the  reception 
room  of  one  of  the  cottages  and  the  balance  direct  to  aid  in  the 
maintenance  of  the  Institution. 

Gratified  with  the  success  that  attended  the  picnic,  the  Com- 
mittee, through  Brother  Nesbitt,  invited  a  few  of  the  leading  Juniors 
representing  eight  Councils  to  come  together  and  take  into  consid- 
eration the  question  of  continuing  the  picnics  and  thereby  secure 
a  fund  towards  erecting  the  much  desired  greenhouse.  As  the 
result  of  this  meeting  on  April  1,  1899,  a  call  was  made  to  the 
Councils  of  Western  Pennsylvania  to  send  representatives  to  a 
prearranged  meeting,  and  fifty  Councils  responded  to  the  call, 
whereupon  an  organization  was  formed  with  the  title  "  The 
Orphans'  Home  Picnic  Committee,"  with  the  following  officers: 
President,  George  B.  Nesbitt,  No.  134;  Vice-President,  C.  J.  Cle- 
land, No.  38;  Secretary,  Thomas  Jelly,  No.  107;  Treasurer,  James 
K.  Diven,  No.  245. 

The  picnic  for  the  year  was  held  July  22,  1899,  at  Cascade 


110  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

Park,  New  Castle,  Pa.,  and  notwithstanding  the  inclement  day,  it 
was  a  success.  Not  being  able  on  account  of  the  rain  to  carry  out 
fully  the  plans  of  the  committee,  an  adjourned  outing  was  held 
at  Kennywood  Park,  City  of  Pittsburg,  on  August  28,  1899,  the 
day  the  Tenth  Pennsylvania  Eegiment  returned  from  the  Philip- 
pines. The  result  of  these  two  events  brought  into  the  treasury 
the  sum  of  $1,086.27  clear  of  all  expenses.  With  this  money  the 
greenhouse  was  erected  and  $125  given  for  the  installation  of  a 
refrigerator  into  the  Home.  The  greenhouse  was  built  at  a  cost 
of  $935.00  and  its  dimensions  are  20  by  50  feet.     (See  Plate.) 

By  looking  at  the  cut  it  is  not  difficult  to  distinguish  that 
"  Nestor  of  Juniorism/'  Brother  Stephen  Collins,  whose  heart  on 
the  occasion  when  the  picture  was  taken  was  as  light  and  happy 
as  the  little  orphans  that  stand  immediately  in  front  of  him.  By 
his  side  stands  the  Superintendent  of  the  Home  at  that  time. 
Brother  George  B.  Nesbitt.  In  referring  to  this  generous  gift  of 
the  Western  Pennsylvania  Juniors,  Brother  Kernan  says : 

"  One  of  the  factors  that  lead  to  the  general  good  health  of  the 
children  is  the  fact  that  we  are  able  to  give  them  green  stuff  during  the 
winter.  Several  years  ago  the  Juniors  of  Allegheny  Co.,  Pa.,  erected  this 
greenhouse  at  a  cost  of  nearly  $1,000.  It  not  only  furnishes  food  during  the 
winter  months,  but  it  is  the  nursery  for  all  the  flowers  that  may  be  seen 
on  the  lawn  during  the  summer  months.  Moreover,  under  the  instruction 
of  a  competent  gardener,  several  boys  are  learning  a  useful  trade.  I  find, 
by  referring  to  the  monthly  reports,  that  it  has  furnished,  during  the 
year,   six  hundred   and   twenty-eight   dollars." 

Early  in  the  year  1900  it  was  decided  to  form  a  permanent 
organization,  whereupon  a  committee  on  by-laws  and  permanent 
organization  was  appointed  which  committee  reported  May  19, 
1900,  and  the  name  for  the  organization  adopted  was  "  The  Jr. 
O.  TJ.  A.  M.  National  Orphans'  Home  Association  of  Allegheny 
County,"  and  when  the  National  Council  met  in  June  of  same 
year,  the  permission  to  use  the  name  of  the  Order  was  granted  by 
the  National  Body. 

The  picnic  of  1900  was  again  held  at  Cascade  Park,  and 
$844.63  was  realized.  On  August  3,  1901,  a  most  successful  picnic 
was  held  at  Youngstown,  Ohio,  netting  $1,026.78,  $700  of  which 
was  placed  in  the  fund  towards  an  industrial  school  the  Associa- 
tion had  in  view  of  erecting.  To  meet  a  balance  owed  by  the  Home 
on  a  piano,  $65  was  paid  by  the  Association.  In  1902,  the  picnic 
was  held  at  Eock  Springs  Park,  Chester,  W.  Va.,  and  was  pre- 
eminently a  success  both  in  attendance  and  financially,  there  being 
about  6,000  present  and  $1,477.33,  net,  was  realized. 


UNITED  AMERICAN   MECHANICS  HI 

Suffice  it  to  say,  that  each  year  the  Association  held  its  picnic, 
generally  largely  attended,  the  banner  year  being  L906,  when  9.000 
were  in  attendance  and  the  sum  of  $3,159-62  was  netted.  The 
Industrial  School  Building  was  constructed  and  equipped  and 
placed  in  operation,  which  will  be  a  means  of  not  only  giving  the 
children  of  the  Home  a  trade,  but  will  be  a  source  of  income  to 
the  Institution  as  forecasted  by  the  Superintendent  of  the  Home, 
Brother  Kernan.  The  structure  is  of  brick,  two  stories,  with  attic 
and  basement,  finished  in  yellow  pine,  and  is  equipped  with  the 
most  improved  machinery  and  is  valued  at  $11,500. 

The  total  receipts  of  the  Association  from  1809  to  1906  has 
been  $11,206.41,  and  the  total  contributions  to  the  Home  has  boon 
$9,406.24,  of  which  $8,405.24  was  for  the  Industrial  School. 

While  we  are  speaking  of  special  gifts  to  the  Home,  we  noto 
that  of  the  Gymnasium,  a  present  from  the  Juniors  of  Cincinnati 
and  the  Daughters  of  America,  a  very  appropriate  gift  to  the  In- 
stitution. The  Juniors  of  Baltimore  presented  a  library  of  2,000 
volumes  which  are  kept  in  what  is  known  as  the  Maryland  Boom. 
to  which  there  has  been  contributions  from  other  sections.  The 
Beception  Boom  was  furnished  by  Sam  Harper  Council,  No.  503, 
of  Bennsylvania.  The  New  York  Juniors  constructed  a  Laundry 
and  are  now  equipping  same,  the  entire  cost  being  about  $3,000. 
Other  projects  are  under  way  that  will  add  much  to  the  utility  and 
comforts  of  the  Home. 

THE   HEROISM    OF   THE   ORDER 

The  heavy  indebtedness  that  rested  upon  the  Homo,  owing  to 
the  failure  of  insurgent  Councils  to  pay  the  Home  tax,  prompted 
the  National  Council  to  do  and  -the  Subordinate  Councils  to  nobly 
and  uncomplainingly  respond  to  a  heroic  act,  that  of  levying, 
by  statute,  a  special  tax  of  fifteen  cents  upon  the  membership, 
besides  the  regular  Home  tax  of  ten  cents  for  mnintommoo.  The 
following  was  the  statute: 

"Section  1.  There  is  hereby  levied  for  the  use  ami  benefit  of  the 
Orphans'  Home  a  special  Orphans'  Home  tax  of  fifteen  cents  per  capita 
upon  the  membership  of  the  Order  for  the  fiscal  year  1900-1001.  Tho 
said  tax  to  be  levied  and  collected  in  the  same  manner  as  the  regular 
annual  Home  tax,  and  in  addition  thereto, 

"  Section  2.  The  return  of  said  tax  is  hereby  appropriated  for  the 
aforesaid  purpose,  and  shall  be  paid  out  in  the  same  manner  provided  in 
the  case  of  the  regular  tax,  and  under  the  appropriation  item  of  the 
general  appropriation  bill." 


112  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

This  Proposal  for  a  Statute  was  negatived  in  the  Committee 
of  the  Good  of  the  Order,  submitting,  however,  in  lieu  thereof,  a 
recommendation  that  the  Law  Committee  draft  a  proposal  empow- 
ering and  authorizing  the  proper  officers  to  negotiate  a  loan  in 
such  an  amount  as  may  be  necessary  to  meet  the  needs  of  the 
Home  and  to  give  such  obligations  and  security  as  may  be  required. 
The  National  Council,  however,  adopted  the  bill  as  proposed  by  Dr. 
II.  L.  Wenner,  of  Ohio,  instead  of  the  Eecommendation  of  the  Com- 
mittee on  the  Good  of  the  Order,  by  a  vote  of  144  to  8.  Previous 
to  this  action  the  following  resolution  was  adopted: 

"  That  the  Board  of  Officers  of  the  National  Council  is  hereby 
authorized  to  take  such  action  as  may  be  necessary  to  refund  the  present 
indebtedness  of  the  National  Orphans'  Home." 

In  conformity  with  the  above  resolution,  in  August  of  the  fiscal 
year  1900-1901,  National  Councilor  Brother  C.  F.  Peeves  and 
National  Vice- Councilor  Brother  A.  L.  Cray  met  at  Tiffin,  Ohio, 
and  negotiated  in  a  very  satisfactory  manner  a  loan  covering  the 
indebtedness  of  $18,000.  In  the  meantime  the  special  tax  was 
levied  and  collected,  as  per  action  of  the  National  Council,  and 
the  report  of  the  Trustees  of  the  Home  to  the  National  Body 
at  its  meeting  at  Buffalo,  N.  Y.,  June,  1901,  showed  that  $23,100 
had  been  received,  including  tax  for  current  expenses.  Fourteen 
thousand  dollars  had  been  paid  on  the  indebtedness,  leaving  $4,000 
still  unpaid.  Including  maintenance,  etc.,  the  total  amount  paid 
out  by  the  Trustees  for  the  year  1900-1901  was  $33,381^.62. 

The  Trustees  stated  that  there  was  in  contemplation  the  erec- 
tion of  an  Industrial  School  where  the  children  could  train  them- 
selves for  useful  trades,  and  for  that  purpose  the  Allegheny  County 
(Pa.)  Orphans'  Home  Association  had  agreed  to  furnish  $800. 
Subsequently,  as  stated,  the  Association  constructed  and  equipped 
the  School.  The  inventory  showed  a  valuation  of  $69,902.  On 
this  there  was  a  debt  at  this  time  of  $4,000. 

THE    HOME    FREE    FROM    ENCUMBRANCE 

A  very  comprehensive  and  painstaking  report  was  presented 
by  the  Trustees  to  the  National  Body  at  its  meeting  held  in  Mil- 
waukee, Wisconsin,  1902.  The  report  opens  with  the  gratifying 
statement : 

"  It  is  with  a  feeling  of  pride  and  satisfaction  that  we,  the  Board 
of  Trustees  of  the  National  Orphans'  Home,  after  nearly  a  year  of  earnest 
endeavors,  are  able  to  present  to  you  in  annual  convention  assembled, 
this  grand  institution  of  ours  absolutely  free  and  unencumbered." 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  113 

The  Board  gave  a  careful  study  relative  to  the  management  of 
the  Home  and  recommended  many  changes,  etc.  A  change  in  the 
superintendent  was  made  during  the  year,  and  Brother  Charles 
H.  Kernan,  of  Orient,  N.  Y.,  State  Vice-Councilor  of  his  state, 
and  the  present  most  efficient  Manager  of  the  Home  was  elected 
to  fill  the  position.  The  Home  discipline  was  placed  under  a 
different  system,  and  instead  of  sending  the  children  to  the  public 
schools  at  Tiffin,  at  considerable  expense,  a  school  was  established 
at  the  Home  and  taught  by  the  Superintendent  and  his  assistants. 
According  to  the  Superintendent's  report,  twenty-five  children 
had  been  admitted  to  the  Home  while  twelve  had  retired,  and  one, 
Lydia  Brown,  of  Larimer  Council,  Larimer,  Pa.,  had  died,  leaving 
the  number  of  children  in  the  Home  May  1,  1902,  of  104. 

The  first  real  reverse  that  befell  the  Home  was  in  the  destruc- 
tion by  fire,  caused  by  lightning,  of  the  farm  buildings  with  three 
horses  and  all  the  grain  and  hay  on  the  night  of  June  14,  1902. 
While  there  was  some  insurance  on  the  buildings  and  their  con- 
tents, still  not  enough  to  fully  cover  the  loss.  Notwithstanding  this 
reverse  and  disappointment,  the  fiscal  year  1902-1903  was,  in  the 
main,  a  satisfactory  year  with  the  Home.  The  superintendency 
of  Brother  Kernan  gave  most  general  satisfaction,  and  under  his 
wise  and  thorough  discipline,  the  management  of  the  Institution 
was  carried  on  very  successfully. 

A  circumstance  arose  during  the  year  which  brought  the  Board 
face  to  face  with  a  matter  of  sympathy  or  duty.  National  Coun- 
cilor, Brother  Geo.  B.  Bowers,  presented  a  sad  case  from  his  home 
town  of  Altoona,  Pa.,  asking  the  Board  to  accept  two  little  chil- 
dren of  a  Junior  who  had  been  killed,  and  left  a  widow  and  several 
children  with  nothing  to  live  on.  The  Council  of  which  the 
brother  had  been  a  member,  however,  was  insurgent,  although  the 
majority  were  loyal,  still  the  few  who  run  the  Council  had  turned 
the  same  over  to  the  enemy.  Brother  Bowers  believed  that  if 
the  Board  would  admit  the  two  youngest  children,  that  it  would 
have  such  an  effect  upon  the  Council  that  the  members  would  soon 
be  back  in  the  fold.  The  question  was  very  carefully  and  candidly 
considered  by  the  Board,  and  while  the  majority  would  gladly  have 
yielded  to  the  impulse  of  sympathy,  yet  from  a  sense  of  duty,  as 
well  as  law,  and  fearing  such  a  grant  would  be  a  very  dangerous 
precedent,  the  Board  had  to  deny  the  request  which  all  must  admit 
was  wise. 

As  an  evidence  of  carefulness  on  the  part  of  the  Superinten- 
dent, a  summary  of  the  receipts  of  farm,  both  cash  and  that  used 


ill  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

in  the  Home,  and  the  expenditures  in  producing  same,  the  follow- 
ing report  of  farm  and  garden  will  be  of  interest  for  fiscal  year, 
1902-1903: 

RECEIPTS 

Cash    from    farm $792.83 

Cash   from   garden 267.54 

Farm   products    2,079.90 

Dairy   1,624.22 

Garden  products    361.00 

Hennery    52.29 

Total   receipts    $5,177.78 

EXPENDITURES 

Salaries    for    farm $1,456.18 

Salaries,   garden    390.00 

Garden    expenses     142.22 

Farm   expenses 641.21 

Total    expenses    $2,629.61 

Cost  of  keeping  cattle $1,344.10 

Balance  to  credit  of  farm $1,203.07 


The  fiscal  year  1904-1905,  as  per  report  of  the  Board  of 
Trustees,  to  the  Thirty-seventh  Annual  Session  of  the  National 
Council,  at  its  meeting  at  Nashville,  Tennessee,  in  June  of  1905, 
showed  the  same  earnest  efforts  of  the  Board  and  Superintendent 
in  the  management  of  the  Home.  The  Order  certainly  must  con- 
gratulate itself  that  it  has  at  the  head  of  the  Home  one  who  has 
given  the  best  satisfaction  and  has  placed  the  Institution  on  a  high 
plane,  both  in  discipline  and  work  achieved.  When  it  came  to  the 
question  of  reelecting  Brother  Kernan  and  his  estimable  wife 
Superintendent  and  matron  of  the  Home,  there  was  not  a  dissent- 
ing vote.  At  the  same  time  the  Order  should  keep  in  loving  re- 
membrance the  five  devoted  brothers  who  represent  the  National 
Council  in  the  supervision  of  the  Orders  Home  for  their  little 
ones.  These  men  are  not  chosen  by  the  National  Board  of  Officers 
because  of  some  political  or  personal  preferment,  but  to  the  con- 
trary, because  of  their  fitness  and  qualifications  for  the  duties  of 
Trustees.  These  men  have  sacrificed  time  and  money  to  serve  the 
Order,  and  the  organization  should  appreciate  their  zealous  and 
disinterested  services.  The  following  brothers  at  this  time  con- 
stituted the  Board :  F.  W.  Pierson,  A.  H.  Leslie,  A.  L.  Cray,  D.  B. 
Mr-Donald  and  H.  L.  W.  Taylor. 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  115 

On  May  1,  1905,  there  were  in  the  Home,   MS  children,  of 

whom  104  were  hoys  and  44  girls. 


DISCIPLINE  OF  THE  HOME 

Reference  to  the  discipline  of  the  Home  under  the  present 
management  has  been  made  in  the  foregoing.  The  annual  messages 
of  the  Board  of  Trustees  to  the  National  Body  contain  words  of 
commendation  of  the  manner  in  which  Brother  Kernan  directs  his 
large  Junior  family  of  boys  and  girls.  In  addition  to  their  testi- 
mony must  be  placed  the  statements  of  those  who  have  had  the 
opportunity  of  visiting  the  Home  and  mingling  with  the  children 
and  observing  their  demeanor.  We  will  let  Brother  Kernan  tell 
us  how  he  does  it: 

"The  parents  in  their  own  home  find  it  imperative  at  times  to 
use  the  rod.  But  the  times  when  it  is  necessary  to  use  corporal  punishment 
are  rare.  There  are  various  reasons  why  children  are  disobedient— some 
of  these  reasons  the  child  is  not  responsible  for.  They  existed  before  he 
was  born.  Therefore,  the  rod  must  be  used  with  judgment.  So  far  as 
it  is  possible,  the  rod  is  a  thing  of  the  past  at  the  Home.  The  marking 
system  prevails.  A  misdemeanor  counts  as  a  mark  against  the  child— 
a  certain  number  during  the  week  deprives  the  child  of  his  liberty  during 
part  of  the  Saturday  holiday,  and  also  cuts  him  off  from  dainties  fur- 
nished to  the  children  during  the  week.  A  complete  record  is  kept  of 
each  child's  deportment  for  the  year,  and  monthly  reports  are  furnished 
to  the  fraternal  papers  of  the  standings  of  all  children  whose  average 
will  place  them  on  the  honor  roll.  To  capture  this  honor  requires  a  mark 
of  95  per  cent,  in  deportment  and  an  average  of  90  per  cent,  in  studies. 
The  principles  of  the  Order  that  support  this  institution  arc  Virtue] 
Liberty  and  Patriotism,  and  these  principles  are  instilled  by  precept  and 
example,  to  the  end  that  we  give'  back  to  the  world  men  and  women 
.grounded  in  the  principles  of  righteousness,  not  as  it  applies  to  private, 
but  to  public  life. 

"No  sectarianism  is  allowed  at  the  Home;  when  a  child  enters  the 
authorities  learn  the  faith  of  his  parents  and  assume  that  if  they  had 
lived  they  would  bring  their  children  up  in  that  faith.  Every  child  must 
attend  church  and  Sunday-school  at  his  own  church  in  the'  city,  and  I 
cannot  refrain  here  from  thanking  the  people  of  Tiffin  for  their  uniform 
love,  interest  and  watchfulness  over  the  spiritual  welfare  of  our  little 
ones." 

The  daily  program,  and  the  bill  of  fare  for  a  week,  as  given 
on  the  following  pages,  is  sufficient  to  show  that  the  Home  at  Tiffin 
is  not  a  poorhouse,  or  an  "  orphanage  "  merely,  but  a  "  home  "  in 
the  truest  sense  of  the  word. 


116  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 


DAILY    PROGRAM 

6.00  a.m. — Rising  bell. 

6.25  a.m. — Morning  prayers. 

6.30  a.m.— Breakfast. 

7.00  to  8.00  a.m. — Cottage  work  done. 

8.00  to  8.20  a.m. — Preparation  for  school. 

8.20  a.m.— School  bell. 

8.20  to  8.30   a.m. — 'Morning   exercise. 

S.30  to  11.15  a.m. — Morning  session. 
11.30  a.m. — Dinner. 
12.00  m.  to  1.00  p.m.— Play. 

1.00  to  3.30  p.m. — Afternoon  session. 

3.30  to  5.00  p.m.— Play. 

5.00  p.m. — Supper  whistle. 

5.00  to  5.30  P.M. — Preparation  for  supper. 

5.30  p.m. — Supper. 

5.30  to  6.30  p.m.— Play. 

6.30  to  7.30  p.m.— Study  hour. 

7.30  to  8.30  p.m. — Reading  and  quiet  games. 

8.30  p.m. — Retiring  bell. 

9.00  P.M. — Lights  out. 

DAILY    PROGRAM     IN     KINDERGARTEN 

Lord's  Prayer. 

Singing. 

Stick  laying. 

Counting  corn  and  beans,  etc. 

Stringing  straws  and  paper. 


INTERMISSION 


Paper  folding. 
Paper  cutting. 


Physical  culture. 

Kindergarten  parquetry. 

Sewing  outlines,  coloring  pictures,  etc. 

Story. 

RILL    OF    FARE APRIL    5TH    TO    llTlI 

B — Breakfast;   D — Dinner;   S — Supper. 

Sunday — B.:  Oatmeal  and  toast,  coffee,  fruit.  D. :  Roast,  gravy, 
potatoes,  dressing.    S. :   Cocoa,  cake,  cheese. 

Monday — B.:  Omelet,  coffee,  bread  and  butter.  D. :  Bean  soup,  pota- 
toes, cold  slaw.     S. :   Hot  biscuit,  tea,  syrup. 

Tuesday — B. :  Oatmeal  and  toast,  coffee,  apples.  D.:  Wieners,  pota- 
toes, pudding.     S.:  Beans,  apricots,  tea. 

Wednesday — B.:  Fried  potatoes,  toast,  coffee.  D.:  Potatoes,  stewed 
meat,  gravy,  onions.    S. :   Baked  potatoes,  cake  and  tea. 


UNITED  AMERICAN   MECHANICS  117 

Thursday — 13.:   Oatmeal  and  toast,  coffee.     D. :   Potatoes,  boiled   cab 
bage,  pie.     S.:   Puce,  prunes,  tea. 

Friday — B.:  Fried  mush,  syrup,  coffee.  1).:  Bologna,  potatoes,  let- 
tuce.    S. :  Scalloped  potatoes,  jelly,  tea. 

Saturday — B.:  Oatmeal  and  toast,  coffee.  O.:  Potatoes,  vegetable 
soup,  crackers.     S. :   Beans,  pickles,  tea. 

Bread  and  butter  served  every  meal;  milk  served  as  often  as 
possible. 

THE  STANDING  OF  THE  HOME,  1907 

Since  compiling  the  story  of  the  National  Orphans'  Home,  as 
above  given,  the  session  of  the  National  Council  for  1907  has  been 
held  at  the  City  of  Boston,  Mass.,  to  which  body  the  Trustees  of  the 
Home  have  submitted  their  report,  which,  as  with  previous  reports, 
is  full  of  cheer  and  a  subject  for  congratulation. 

The  only  improvements  made  during  the  two  years  were  the 
completion  and  equipment  of  the  Industrial  School  by  the  Alle- 
gheny County  (Pa.)  Juniors  and  the  Laundry  by  the  New  York 
Juniors,  reference  to  which  has  been  made.  The  most  important 
change  made  was  in  moving  the  original  cottage  closer  to  the  farm 
buildings  to  take  the  place  of  the  farmhouse  burned  in  1899.  This 
brings  the  farmer  and  his  assistants  near  the  barn  and  out-buildings 
where  the  stock  are  housed  and  fed. 

The  finances  of  the  Home  were  reported  in  very  excellent 
condition : 

Received  for  General  Fund,  two  years $53,574.92 

Expenditures  from  General  Fund,  two  years 51,924.60 

$1,650.32 
Receipts   and   appropriations   of   National    Council 

for  Building  Fund   7,061.63 

Total  on  hand  May  1,  1907 $8,251.80 

Received    for    Endowment    Fund $585.78 

It  will  certainly  be  gratifying  to  the  Order  to  note  the  follow- 
ing Inventory  made  May  1,  1907 : 

INVENTORY  OF  PROPERTY 

may,  1907 

Farm  of  176  acres  of  land  at  $150 $26,400.00 

Cottage    No.    1    and    heating    plant 11,800.00 

Cottage   No.    2    and    heating    plant 19,500.00 

Water    tower,    barns,    granary,    poultry    and     hay 

houses    . '. 5,000.00 


118  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

Boiler  house  and   machinery $4,000.00 

Root    cella  r     200.00 

Furnishings  for  Cottages  Nos.  1  and  2 5,000.00 

Play  house  and  apparatus 900.00 

Chill    room     400.00 

Stone  crusher    400.00 

Six  work  horses 700.00 

Farm    house     1,200.00 

Sixteen  milch  cows,  bulls  and  five  calves 725.00 

Blacksmith  shop,  tools,  hose  house,  etc 200.00 

Thirty-six  hens  and  four  turkeys 18.00 

Farming  implements,   binder,   mower,   etc 1,350.00 

Stock   in   greenhouse    100.00 

Books    and    library    furnishings 575.00 

Sixteen    brood    sows,     one    boar,     sixteen    shoats, 

twenty-seven   pigs    285.00 

Industrial    school    and    equipment 11,500.00 

Twelve  tons  of  hay 120.00 

Four  tons  straw    16.00 

Three   hundred   bushels   corn    ]  35.00 

Forty  bushel  oats   14.00 

Seven  hundred  and  fifty  bushels  wheat 729.00 

Total  valuation    $91,267.00 

The  Superintendent's  report  shows  the  following: 

Number  of  children  reported  May  1st,  1905 148 

Number  of  children  admitted  during   1905-1907 87 

Total    235 

Number  of  children  released   1905-1907 38 

Total  number  of  children  May  1st,  1907 197 

Total    number    boys 137 

Total  number  girls 60 

197 

It  is  worthy  of  note  that  notwithstanding  the  Trustees  reported 
the  Home  in  a  crowded  condition  two  years  previous,  that  during 
the  two  years  intervening  there  has  been  no  serious  illness  among 
the  children  and  no  outbreak  of  any  contagious  disease  in  the  Insti- 
tution. It  is  the  proud  boast  of  the  Trustees  and  Superintendent, 
that  "up  to  the  present  time  no  child  has  been  refused  admittance 
who  was  properly  qualified  to  enter." 

The  receipts  of  the  farm,  dairy,  garden,  etc.,  as  well  as  expenses 
for  operating  the  same  for  the  years  1905-1907,  were  as  follows: 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS 


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120  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

The  Trustees  of  the  Home  (1907-1909)  are  the  following 
well-known  members  of  the  Order  whose  sketches  appear  in  another 
place:  Brothers  D.  B.  McDonald,  of  Ohio,  President;  A.  L.  Cray, 
of  Indiana,  Secretary;  F.  W.  Pierson,  of  Delaware,  Treasurer; 
A.  H.  Leslie,  of  Pennsylvania,  and  H.  E.  Howse,  of  Tennessee. 


CHAPTER    IX 

7.  THE    CONFLICT    AT   THE    CROSSING 
OF    THE    CENTURIES 

FOR  forty-seven  years  the  Junior  Order  of  United  American 
Mechanics  had  made  its  way  meeting  and  overcoming  obstacles 
that  were  checking  the  growth  of  the  young  fraternity.  With  the 
opening  of  the  last  decade  of  the  nineteenth  century,  the  Order  en- 
tered upon  an  era  of  wonderful  prosperity,  wherein  the  thousands 
swelled  into  the  tens  of  thousands,  until  in  the  halls  of  Congress, 
in  State  legislatures  and  in  thousands  of  school  districts,  the 
Jr.  0.  U.  A.  M.,  as  an  organization,  was  an  acknowledged  power. 
But  with  this  great  advance  of  the  Order  there  came  jealousies, 
rivalries  and  contentions  and  a  struggle  for  leadership,  until  finally 
it  culminated  in  the  revolt  of  1899. 

In  approaching  this  subject,  it  is  with  hesitancy,  fearing  that 
in  presenting  it  in  this  connection,  being  loyal  to  the  mandates 
of  the  National  Council,  the  writer  may  be  misunderstood.  How- 
ever, in  discussing  this  unfortunate  epoch  of  the  organization,  it  is 
not  our  purpose  to  say  hard  things  of  any  one,  but  to  give,  as  far 
as  we  are  able  and  conversant  with  the  facts,  a  true  and  unbiased 
account  of  the  separation  and  the  causes  leading  thereto,  as  well 
as  to  recount  the  struggles  of  the  Order  in  the  courts  of  the  land 
and  the  final  triumph  in  maintaining  and  upholding  the  greatest 
patriotic  association  to  be  found  in  any  nation. 

THE  BEGINNINGS  OF  THE  CONFLICT 

In  seeking  for  the  causes  that  led  to  the  insurrection,  it  is 
necessary  to  go  back  some  years  before  the  outbreak  in  1899,  to 
the  session  of  the  National  Council  at  Asheville,  North  Carolina, 
in  1894.  Factional  lines,  however,  had  been  sharply  drawn  pre- 
vious to  this  session  in  some  of  the  State  Councils,  especially  in 
Pennsylvania,  where  the  unprecedented  growth  of  the  Order  had 
brought  the  membership  up  to  87,000;  whereupon,  a  coterie  of 
ambitious  leaders  saw  in  this  vast  host  a  power  to  secure  complete 
control  of  the  National  Body,  hence  at  the  session  of  the  State 
Council  of  Pennsylvania  in  1893,  the  dominant  faction  inaugurated 
the  policy  to  obtain  and  thereby  hold  the  supremacy  of  the  higher 
body,  and  the  majority  of  the  Representatives  attended  the  Ashe- 
ville session  Avith  that  end  in  view. 


122  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

The  great  success  of  Brother  Stephen  Collins,  of  Pennsyl- 
vania, when  State  Councilor,  and  the  wonderful  enthusiasm 
that  swept  the  state  like  a  forest  fire,  brought  into  the  ranks  of 
the  Order  many  young  men  who  were  ambitious  to  pose  as  leaders. 
Being  always  ready  to  encourage  worthy  brothers,  Brother  Collins 
recognized  them  and  gave  them  preferment  in  the  offices  and  honors 
at  his  disposal.  Fearing,  however,  the  great  popularity  of  Brother 
Collins  and  jealous  of  his  leadership,  in  his  absence  from  the 
state  as  National  Organizer,  many  of  those  he  had  favored  and 
recognized  formed  an  anti- Collins  "  faction  "  and  secured  suprem- 
acy in  the  State  Council.  Having  assumed  the  leadership  of  the 
State  Council  of  Pennsylvania,  these  designing  brothers  thirsted 
for  greater  glory  and  power,  therefore,  as  stated,  went  to  Asheville 
to  advocate  legislation  to  better  carry  out  their  purposes  and  plans. 

The  reflex  influence  of  this  desire  for  supremacy  in  the  Na- 
tional Council  showed  itself  in  the  Board  of  Officers  of  the  National 
Body  in  the  appointment  of  the  National  Legislative  Committee, 
the  National  Councilor  claiming  the  prerogative  of  appointing  three 
out  of  the  five  members.  Early  in  the  year  following  the  session 
of  the  National  Council  of  1893,  the  National  Councilor  did  not 
claim  that  prerogative,  but  in  a  letter  to  the  National  Vice- 
Councilor,  he  named  two  members  and  asked  him  to  name  two 
and  the  Junior  Past  National  Councilor  to  name  one.  This  letter 
was  under  date  of  July  22,  1893.  Subsequently,  under  date  of 
August  15,  1893,  in  an  official  communication  to  the  National 
Secretary,  the  National  Councilor  named  three  of  the  Committee, 
from  which  action  the  other  members  of  the  Board  dissented. 
The  difficulty,  however,  was  adjusted  as  originally  outlined,  but 
it  revealed  the  fact  that  some  outside  influence  had  been  brought 
to  bear  upon  the  National  Councilor  to  change  his  purpose  from 
appointing  two  members  of  the  Committee  to  appointing  three, 
in  order  that  the  factional  lines  on  the  Committee  might  be  drawn 
in  harmony  with  the  dominant  party  in  Pennsylvania  and  other 
states. 

As  stated  above,  the  purpose  of  the  majority  of  the  Eepresen- 
tatives  and  Past  National  and  State  Councilors  from  Pennsylvania 
and  other  larger  states,  at  Asheville,  was  to  increase  the  ratio 
of  representation  in  order  to  give  those  states  a  preponderance 
of  representation  in  the  National  Body,  hence  the  ratio  of  represen- 
tation was  changed,  giving  to  each  state  five  Representatives  where 
the  membership  did  not  exceed  5,000,  and  an  additional  Represen- 
tative for  every  additional  3,000  members,  or  a  majority  fraction 


UNITED  AMERICAN   MECHANICS  123 

thereof.  This  legislation  was  a  grave  mistake  on  the  part  of  the 
National  Council,  as  it  had  the  tendency  to  place  the  National 
Body  under  the  control  of  the  larger  states  that  had  plenty  of  funds 
to  send  large  delegations,  both  in  Representatives  and  Past  State 
Councilors.  It  might  be  stated  in  this  connection  that  to  a  large 
extent  those  who  in  subsequent  years  were  loyal,  were  opposed 
to  the  increased  ratio  of  representation.  By  this  increased  ratio, 
Pennsylvania  increased  her  representation  in  the  National  Council 
from  12  to  31;  and  with  her  large  number  of  Past  National 
and  Past  State  officers,  her  voting  strength  was  about  40  in  the 
National  Body. 

Owing  to  the  great  success  of  Brother  Collins  as  National 
Organizer  and  being  possessed  of  remarkable  traits  of  leadership, 
there  was  formed  in  the  National  Body  a  cabal  to  antagonize  him, 
which  brought  to  his  support  staunch  friends  from  the  West  and 
South  where  his  great  work  had  been  accomplished.  Hence  the  two 
parties  in  the  National  Council  at  the  Asheville  session  struggled 
for  supremacy,  both  nearly  equal  in  strength,  each  party  scor- 
ing a  victory,  the  one  electing  the  National  Vice-Councilor,  and 
the  other  securing  the  place  of  the  next  meeting  of  the  bod)' — 
Omaha,  Nebraska. 

With  a  divided  victory,  both  parties  of  the  National  Body 
lined  up  for  the  contest  at  Omaha  in  1895.  While  the  session 
was  animated,  both  in  discussion  and  dilatory  tactics,  the  one 
element  elected  their  National  Vice-Councilor  and  selected  the 
place  of  the  next  meeting,  which  was  Denver,  Colorado.  Un- 
daunted by  defeat,  the  element  that  favored  the  increased  represen- 
tation at  Asheville  made  the  Denver  session  the  battleground  for 
supremacy.  The  session  wTas  the  most  strenuous  in  the  history  of 
the  National  Body,  and  inch  by  inch  each  party  contended  on  all 
controversial  issues  and  party  questions.  Scarcely  had  the  session 
opened  when  the  "  battle  of  the  giants  "  began  and  the  lines  were 
sharply  drawn.  Dilatory  motions,  numerous  demands  for  roll- 
call  and  division  of  the  question  was  a  marked  feature  upon  the 
part  of  the  minority  party,  and  as  the  session  continued  the  bitter- 
ness of  feeling  became  more  intense.  Referring  to  this  session 
in  another  place  in  this  volume,  we  quote  in  this  connection,  the 
following: 

"  It  was  at  this  meeting  of  the  National  Council,  that  the  famous 
'  all  night '  session  was  held.  The  two  elements  of  the  National  Body  were 
very  nearly  equal  in  numerical  strength,  while  in  debate  and  parliamentary 
strategy,   both    sides    possessed    men    of    intellect,    ability    and    leadership. 


124  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

The  contest  waged  all  through  the  night,  the  minority  making  motions  to 
adjourn  while  the  administration  forces  had  one  supreme  object  in  view, 
to  save  the  Orphan's  Home  and  preserve  the  institution.  The  majority 
party  refused  to  adjourn,  although  ten  times  had  the  motion  been  made  and 
ten  times  it  had  been  rejected.  The  purpose  of  the  dominant  party  was  to 
act  on  all  important  questions  before  there  should  be  a  break  in  the  solid 
phalanx  of  the  '  Old  Guard,'  and  when  that  was  accomplished,  at  4  a.m., 
the  majority  party  agreed  to  adjourn  until  1.10  p.m.  same  day." 

The  results  of  the  session  was  a  "  drawn  battle/'  the  adminis- 
tration party  retaining  the  officers  of  the  National  Council,  while 
the  minority  secured  the  place  of  the  next  meeting — Pittsburg,  Pa. 

Previous  to  the  opening  of  the  National  Council  at  Pitts- 
burg, factional  feeling  ran  very  high.  The  opponents  of  the  ad- 
ministration who,  to  a  large  extent,  subsequently,  were  allied  with 
the  revolt,  had  gloried  in  the  victory  at  Denver  in  the  selection 
of  Pittsburg  as  the  place  of  meeting  of  the  National  Body  of  1897, 
believing,  with  the  presence  of  a  large  number  of  Past  National 
and  Past  State  Councilors  from  the  larger  Eastern  states,  they 
would  win  in  the  selection  of  officers  and  in  shaping  the  policy  of  the 
Order.  The  administration  people,  however,  were  alert  and  saga- 
cious and  rallied  their  forces,  and  on  the  first  roll-call  in  which 
party  lines  were  drawn,  the  administration  won  by  a  decisive  ma- 
jority and  the  remainder  of  the  session  passed  without  much 
opposition. 

Some  show  of  opposition  was  made  by  the  minority  party  at 
Louisville,  Kentucky,  at  the  session  of  1898,  but  without  effect, 
as  the  administration  was  fortified  by  a  strong  working  majority. 
Soured  and  piqued  by  defeat  the  minority,  through  their  leaders, 
were  loud  in  their  complaints  of  "  bossism  "  upon  the  part  of  the 
majority,  the  leaders  of  which  came  in  for  their  full  share  of 
criticism.  In  the  "  heat  of  battle  "  many  bitter  words  were  spoken 
and  much  harsh  feeling  was  engendered  in  the  supreme  ambition 
to  either  secure  or  retain  supremacy  in  the  National  Body. 

Although  one  of  the  majority  and  always  voting  and  working 
with  the  administration,  yet,  viewed  from  the  present  standpoint 
in  reviewing  the  years  of  factional  strife  prior  -to  the  revolt  in  1899, 
in  candor  the  writer  must  frankly  admit  that  there  were  faults  on 
both  sides.  That  the  minority  were  more  at  fault  in  the  contro- 
versy is  plain;  that  they  were  intemperate  in  speech  and  revolu- 
tionary in  action  cannot  be  gainsaid.  Members  of  the  same  frater- 
nity, having  pledged  themselves  at  the  same  altar  to  support  the 
National  Council  and  uphold  the  sublime  principles  of  the  Order, 


UNITED  AMERICAN   MECHANICS  125 

their  act  of  rebellion  was  culpable,  uncalled  for  and  unreasonable. 
On  the  part  of  the  administration  there  was  the  exuberance  of  re- 
peated victories  which,  it  is  possible,  and  altogether  probable,  made 
them  somewhat  dictatorial  and  led  their  leaders  to  say  and  do  things 
that  now  they  may  wish  had  not  been  said  or  done.  One  has  said, 
"  To  err  is  human  " ;  and  being  human,  errors  were  made  in  those 
years  of  bitter  controversies;  yet  with  all  that  the  minority  may 
have  felt,  thought  or  imagined,  there  was  no  cause  to  give  them  the 
right  to  rebel  against  the  Supreme  Legislative  body  of  the  Order. 

It  has  been  stated  that  this  unhappy  strife  that  fulminated 
in  open  revolt  in  1899  was  a  fight  for  leadership.  That  is  prob- 
ably true.  But  what  would  an  organization  be  without  leaders? 
Wherever  men  assemble,  wherever  associations  of  men  are  formed 
for  any  purpose,  some  one  there  must  be  to  whom  the  many  can 
look  for  guidance  in  shaping  the  policy  of  the  society  In  nation, 
state,  church  and  society,  leaders  are  found  and  leaders  there 
must  be.  It  is  unjust  to  say:  "  Had  the  leaders  of  both  sides  been 
put  out,  the  rebellion  in  the  Order  never  would  have  been."  These 
leaders  may  have  made  mistakes;  we  are  sure  those  on  the  part  of 
the  "  insurgents  "  did  grievously  err,  and  some  on  the  part  of  the 
administration  no  doubt  were  a  little  too  radical,  yet  had  not  these 
leaders  been  in  the  van,  others  would  have  been,  and  it  is  alto- 
gether probable  that  if  those  from  the  "  rank  and  file  "  who  are 
loudest  in  their  criticism  of  the  men  who,  in  the  hour  of  the 
Order's  peril,  "  stood  by  their  guns,"  had  been  in  their  places  that 
they  would  have  been  as  much  at  fault  as  they  claim  the  leaders 
of  our  Order  were.  The  writer  has  been  close  to  the  leaders 
of  the  administration  or  loyal  party  ever  since  1893,  and  is  familiar 
with  the  years  of  strife  that  led  up  to  the  revolt  in  the  Order. 
Judging  them  by  the  standard  of  common  justice  and  equity,  we 
must  affirm  that  no  truer,  better  men  ever  guided  an  organization 
than  they,  and  to-day  they  are  esteemed,  loved  and  respected  by 
the  great  body  of  Juniors  for  whose  cause  they  so  nobly  stood. 

THE   BEGINNING  OF  FACTIONALISM 

In  all  candor  and  fairness  the  writer  has  been  prompted  to 
make  the  above  brief  reference  to  the  causes  that  led  to  the 
revolt  of  1899.  Since  penning  these  words  our  attention  has 
been  directed  to  the  enlarged  statement  made  by  State  Council 
Secretary,  Brother  Deemer,  in  the  proceedings  of  the  State  Council 
of  Pennsylvania  for  the  session  of  1900,  under  the  title  of  "  Why 
I    am    a    Loyalist."      No    one    in    the    organization    knows    more 


126  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

of  the  "  beginnings "  of  the  strife  in  the  Order  than  Brother 
Deemer.  He  saw  the  rise  of  the  organization,  kept  steadily  with  it 
from  its  inception  and  stood  with  sad.  heart  at  the  "  parting  of 
the  ways  "  wherein  friendly  and  brotherly  associations  of  a  life- 
time were  sundered.  He  dwelt  in  particular  with  the  conditions 
in  his  own  state,  which  will  be  noted  elsewhere,  and  the  inconsist- 
encies of  the  insurgents;  then  takes  up  the  National  Council  and 
relates  some  very  stubborn  facts,  corroborating  what  we  have 
averred,  that  the  beginning  of  the  strife,  born  in  factionalism,  had 
its  inception  in  1893.  Brother  Deemer  prefaced  his  references  by 
a  statement  that  all  who  have  associated  with  him  know  to  be  true : 
"  In  my  whole  career  as  an  officer  and  member,  I  have  avoided  factions 
and  insisted  on  my  right  to  think  and  vote  as  pleased  me.  For  this 
reason  I  will  be  found  on  both  sides  at  almost  every  session  of  the  National 
Council  or  the  State  Council  of  Pennsylvania." 

Bef erring  to  the  National  Council,  Brother  Deemer  says : 
"Prior  to  1893  there  were  no  factions  in  the  National  Council. 
There  were  candidates  for  the  several  offices,  but  when  the  election  was 
over  it  left  no  sore  spots,  and'  all  mingled  together  as  before.  At  this 
session  a  prominent  Past  State  Councilor  of  New  Jersey  said  to  me: 
'  There's  Steve  Collins  instituting  State  Councils  in  the  far  west ;  why  in 
a  few  years  he  will  control  the  National  Council,  because  no  person  knows 
these  people  but  he,'  and  so  it  began.  In  his  opinion  the  Order  had  better 
stand  still  than  this  man  gain  prestige  by  his  work  as  an  organizer.  This 
was  the  beginning  of  faction,  and  the  new  laws  reported  by  the  Law 
Committee,  Shaler,  Peck  and  McFarland,  were  referred  to  the  first  factional 
committee,  Elbert,  Putter  and  Buser." 

The  "  hue  and  cry "  of  the  malcontents  for  years  was  the 
office  of  the  Secretary  of  the  National  Legislative  Committee  and 
the  salary  of  $1,200  per  year  attached  thereto.  The  brother  who 
for  years  had  acceptably  filled  that  position  came  in  for  intense 
criticism  and  abuse.  Yet,  as  Brother  Deemer  stated,  that  commit- 
tee was  the  creature  of  the  afterward  insurgent  element  of  the 
National  Council  and  recommended  by  a  committee  who  subse- 
quently became  insurgents.  Brother  H.  J.  Deily  was  made  the 
first  Secretary  and  received  for  his  duties  $1,200  per  year,  and  no 
rmo  over  said  that  he  did  not  earn  it,  which  he  evidently  did. 
Brother  Collins  who  succeeded  him,  earned  his  money  as  well. 

Another  imaginary  cause  that  was  used  by  the  insurgents  to 
inflame  the  minds  of  the  brotherhood  against  the  Supreme  Body 
was  the  high  per  capita  tax  and  the  heavy  expenses  to  carry  on  the 
National  Council.  Again  Brother  Deemer  made  plain  the  fallacy 
of  the  charges  by  quoting  the  indisputable  facts  from  the  records 
of  the  National  Council. 


UNITED  AMERICAN   MECHANICS  127 

During  the  term  of  Brother  C.  W.  Tyler,  as  National  Coun- 
cilor, 1895-1896,  the  per  capita  tax  was  placed  at  the  low  rate  of 
eight  cents,  which  was  entirely  insufficient  to  meet  the  expenses  of 
the  year  which  amounted  to  thirty-six  thousand  and  eight  dollars 
and  fifty-seven  cents,  notwithstanding  the  fact  that  the  Finance 
Committee  made  up  of  adherents  of  Brother  Tyler's,  had  only 
estimated  the  expenses  for  the  year  as  twenty-five  thousand,  four 
hundred  dollars.  To  meet  the  extra  expense,  eight  thousand  dol- 
lars was  taken  from  the  reserve  of  $14,401  on  hand  at  the  begin- 
ning of  the  term,  leaving  only  $6,503.19  on  hand  when  Brother 
Tyler  yielded  up  the  office  to  his  successor.  The  National  Secretary 
then  adds: 

"  This  is  no  reflection  on  N.  C.  Tyler,  but  inasmuch  as  the  insurgents 
are  continually  holding  up  the  fact  of  the  per  capita  tax  being  but  eight 
cents  under  his  term,  it  is  well  to  know  the  whole  truth  about  the  matter." 

As  a  result  of  the  experience  of  Tyler's  term,  the  Finance 
Committee  at  the  session  of  the  National  Body  in  1896,  placed  the 
estimated  expenses  at  $32,000.  In  comparison  with  this,  Brother 
Deemer  showed  that  at  the  session  of  the  National  Council  that  met 
in  Philadelphia  in  1900,  the  Finance  Committee  submitted  the 
estimated  expenses  for  the  ensuing  year,  at  $30,000,  in  which  was 
included  the  item  of  $10,000  for  mileage,  never  before  included 
in  the  estimated  expenses  of  the  Finance  Committee.  Brother 
Deemer  resumes  his  observations : 

"  It  seems  to  me,  therefore,  that  any  unprejudiced  mind  would  see 
that  the  National  Council  is  not  composed  of  robbers  and  sharks,  but  that 
they  have  shown  a  more  economical  administration  of  affairs  in  the 
National  Council  than  the  insurgents. 

"  I  have  dated  all  the  factional  disturbances  to  the  Detroit  session 
of  1893.  I  claim  that  under  the  administration  of  N.  C.  Kibbe,  the  politics 
of  the  Order  were  reduced  to  a  science.  Past  National  and  Past  State 
Councilors  were  appointed  on  committees  for  their  votes,  and  for  the  first 
time  in  the  history  of  the  Order,  just  before  the  sessions,  inquiry  was 
made  as  to  who  could  not  attend,  their  resignations  were  requested  and 
others  appointed  in  their  stead." 

THE    REVOLT 

The  session  of  the  National  Council  held  at  Minneapolis. 
Minnesota,  June  20-23,  1899,  stands  forth  in  the  history  of  tho 
Order  as  the  most  conspicuous  of  any  held  before  or  since.  That 
which  makes  this  session  so  prominent  in  the  annals  of  the  organ- 
ization is,  that  as  a  result  of  its  advanced  legislation,  making  cer- 
tain features  thereof  a  pretext,  there  came  the  "  parting  of  the 


128  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

ways  "  in  the  Order  and  the  inauguration  of  the  foulest  conspiracy 
ever  hatched  in  the  hearts  of  designing  men  to  destroy  the  noblest 
patriotic  organization  ever  formed  in  the  republic. 

According  to  an  article  in  the  Constitution,  prior  to  this  ses- 
sion, every  five  years  there  might  be  revision  of  the  Constitution  and 
Laws,  and  in  conformity  to  that  rule  the  year  1899  was  the  time  such 
revision  should  take  place.  In  view  of  this  and  with  a  desire  to 
see  the  Order  take  higher  ground,  National  Councilor  Joseph 
Powell,  at  the  previous  session  held  at  Louisville,  in  his  report, 
says: 

"  We  have  in  the  government  of  our  Order,  too  much  law  by  decision 
and  resolution,  rather  than  by  statutes.  In  my  opinion  we  should  adopt  a 
Constitution  and  a  set  of  statutes,  create  a  judiciary  and  relieve  the 
executive  of  this  function,  and  thus  make  the  government  of  our  Order 
more  in  harmony  with  the  American  system." 

This  view  of  the  National  Councilor  was  favorably  considered 
by  the  adoption  of  the  following: 

"  That  the  executive  and  judicial  branches  of  our  Order  be  sepa- 
rated, and  a  judiciary  be  created." 

In  compliance  with  this  action,  the  Committee  on  Law  at  the 
Minneapolis  session  submitted  an  entire  revision  of  the  National 
Council  Constitution  and  National  Council  Laws,  following  the 
plan  of  the  United  States  system  of  government,  the  Executive, 
Legislative  and  the  Judicial,  as  we  have  it  to-day.  After  full  and 
frank  discussion  in  the  Committee  of  the  Whole,  in  which  many 
took  part,  the  new  Constitution  and  Laws  were  agreed  upon,  and 
when  reported  back  to  the  National  Body  the  same  were  adopted. 
Several  radical  changes,  however,  from  the  old  code  of  laws  were 
made,  prominent  among  which  was  the  change  of  ratio  of  repre- 
sentation in  the  National  Council,  by  which  change  the  repre- 
sentation of  each  state  was  cut  down,  as  for  instance,  Penn- 
sylvania's delegation  was  reduced  from  29  to  11.  By  this  change 
each  state  was  entitled  to  three  Eepresentatives  with  one  additional 
Eepresentative  for  each  10,000  members  or  a  majority  fraction 
thereof.  In  addition  to  this,  the  National  Council  resolved  to  pay 
the  mileage  and  per  diem  to  all  Eepresentatives,  this  having  pre- 
viously been  paid  by  the  State  Councils. 

Another  important  act  of  legislation  adopted  was  to  provide, 
as  far  as  possible,  for  a  distinctive  representative  body,  and  that  all 
Past  State  Councilors  subsequent  to  1901,  were  by  that  action  to  be 
denied  a  voice  and  vote  in  the  National  Body.  According  to 
the    new    laws,    proposed    amendments    to    the    Objects    and    of 


UNITED  AMERICAN   MECHANICS  129 

the  name  of  the  Order  need  onlv  be  submitted  to  the  State  Councils 
for  concurrence  instead  of  to  the  Subordinate  Councils,  as  under 
the  former  rulings.  Relative  to  the  changes  in  the  Objects  of  the 
Order,  those  made  at  this  session  were  largely  in  phraseology.  The 
word  "  sectarian "  in  one  of  the  objects  was  eliminated.  In  the 
Object  that  read :  "  To  uphold  the  reading  of  the  Holy  Bible  in  the 
Public  Schools,"  "  uphold  "  was  changed  to  "  encourage."  Those 
and  some  other  minor  changes  made,  reducing  the  number  of  Objects 
from  6  to  4,  the  first  three  being  incorporated  in  one,  did  not  meet 
the  approval  of  the  minority  faction,  and  with  the  pretext  that  the 
legislation  enacted  was  illegal,  because  the  session  of  the  National 
Council  was  held  outside  the  State  of  Pennsylvania,  they  took 
the  first  steps  to  secede  from  the  National  Body,  or  rather  to  place 
themselves  in  insubordination  to  its  mandates,  by  refusing  to  honor, 
in  their  several  State  Councils,  the  per  capita  tax  levied  by  the 
Supreme  Body. 

Notwithstanding  the  disgruntled  members  of  the  National 
Body  were  present  and  participated  in  the  work  of  the  session  where 
these  great  changes  were  made,  and  many  of  them  made  without 
protest,  yet  ere  the  session  had  closed  the  "  mutterings  of  the 
coming  storm  "  were  heard  in  the  hotel  corridors,  and  the  move- 
ment looking  toward  rebellion  was  inaugurated  in  a  caucus  of 
the  dissenting  members  from  Pennsylvania,  New  Jersey,  New 
York,  District  of  Columbia  and  Virginia,  and  a  subsequent  meeting 
was  arranged  to  be  held  at  Trenton,  New  Jersey. 

While  the  change  in  ratio  of  representation  was  distasteful  to 
the  anti-administration  people,  yet  that  which  incurred  their  great- 
est displeasure  and  had  in  it  a  seeming  possibility  of  forfeiting 
every  hope  of  supremacy,  was  the  provision  that  the  mileage  and  per 
diem  should  be  paid  the  National  Representatives  by  the  National 
Council  instead  of  by  the  State  Councils,  as  previously  was  done. 
By  the  latter  method  only  the  older  states  with  good  treasuries 
could  afford  to  send  all  of  their  Representatives  to  the  National 
Council,  while  many  of  the  weaker  and  far  distant  states  could 
send  but  one  or  two,  and  often  none,  which  gave  to  the  older 
and  richer  states  all  the  advantages  of  the  National  Council  meet- 
ings; and  as  the  larger  number  of  the  anti-administration  members 
of  the  body  belonged  to  these  states,  and  by  marshalling  their  Past 
State  Councilors,  many  of  whom  were  sent  at  the  expense  of  the 
State  Councils,  they  had  hoped  to  again  obtain  the  ascendancy 
in  the  National  Body.  But  by  one  swoop  of  legislation,  in  the  pay- 
ing of  the  expenses  of  all  delegates,  whereby  the  smaller  and  weaker 
9 


130  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

states  could  be  fully  represented,  which  states  were  largely  admin- 
istration supporters,  the  doom  of  the  one-time  autocrats  of  the 
organization  seemed  sealed,  hence  the  revolt  of  1899. 

THE    ERA    OF    MISREPRESENTATION 

Having  taken  preliminary  steps  towards  rebellion,  certain 
members  of  the  National  Body  left  the  Minneapolis  session  with  the 
determined  purpose  of  disrupting  the  organization  and  defying  the 
edicts  and  mandates  of  the  National  Council.  Around  these  gath- 
ered, in  their  home  states,  a  motley  crowd  of  malcontents,  loud  in 
their  villification  of  the  National  Council's  deliberations  and  the 
administration  leaders.  By  voice  and  pen  in  the  councils  of  the 
various  states  affected,  and  in  the  columns  of  the  press,  where 
opportunity  was  granted,  the  grossest  exaggerations  and  basest 
fabrications  were  disseminated  until,  like  wild-fire,  the  spirit  of 
insurrection  stirred  the  hearts  of  thousands  and  inflamed  their 
minds  with  rankest  secession.  Deceived  and  misled  by  these  pre- 
varicators, with  fiery  speeches  and  vicious  and  misleading  press 
articles,  it  is  not  a  matter  of  surprise  that  many  Councils  unfurled 
the  black  flag  of  treason  and  refused  to  submit  to  the  authority 
of  the  Supreme  Body.  As  a  sample  of  the  misrepresentations  pub- 
lished in  the  secular  press,  the  following  is  noted,  taken  from  the 
Beading  (Pa.)   Telegram  shortly  after  the  Minneapolis  session: 

"  A  gentleman  who  is  prominent  in  the  Councils  of  the  Order  said 
that  the  entire  trouble  was  a  scheme,  in  which  the  Western  members  were 
endeavoring  that  the  Supreme  Council  should  secure  possession  of  the 
$50,000  surplus  funeral  benefit  fund  which  has  been  mainly  contributed 
by  the  East.  .  .  .  The  Supreme  Council  is  desirous  of  getting  hold  of 
the  surplus  to  control  themselves." 

Every  one  familiar  with  the  Funeral  Benefit  Association  of 
the  United  States,  with  headquarters  at  Philadelphia,  which, 
throughout  the  insurrection,  furnished  at  least  moral  support 
to  carry  on  the  revolt,  know  that  it  never  had  any  official  relation 
with  either  the  State  Council  of  Pennsylvania  or  the  National 
Body,  and  was  independent  of  each,  hence  the  baselessness  of  the 
statement  is  clearly  shown.  Here  is  another,  taken  from  the 
Wilkes-Barre  (Pa.)  Times: 

"  Mr says  the  only  qualification  to  become  a  member  of 

the  Order  is  to  believe  in  the  Supreme  Being  and  to  have  been  born  in 
this  country,  but  that  an  attempt  had  been  made  to  strike  out  the  last 
qualification  and  give  every  citizen  the  privilege  of  joining." 

It  is  scarcely  necessary  to  state  that  the  effort  to  change  the 
qualifications  for  membership  so  as  to  admit  foreign-born  citizens 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS 


131 


was  never  made  nor  even  contemplated.  Yet  this  "hoax"  un- 
published in  several  papers  in  the  anthracite  coal  regions  of  Penn- 
sylvania. 

The  anti-administration  people  were  very  much  "put  out" 
by  the  reduction  in  the  number  of  the  Objects  of  the  Order  from 
six  to  four,  and  the  few  changes  in  phraseology.  To  clearly  slmw 
the  utter  inconsistency  of  this  item  of  grievance  as  presented  in 
exaggerated  form  by  voice  and  pen,  we  insert,  in  parallel  columns 
the  two  codes  of  Objects: 


Prior  to  session  of  1899  they 
read  as  follows: 

first. — To  maintain  and  promote 
the  interests  of  Americans,  and 
shield  them  from  the  depressing 
effects    of    foreign    competition. 

Second. — To  assist  Americans  in 
obtaining   employment. 

Third. — To  encourage  Americans 
in  business. 

Fourth. — To  establish  a  sick  and 
Funeral   Fund. 

Fifth. — To  maintain  the  Public 
School  system  of  the  United 
States  of  America,  and  to  pre- 
vent sectarian  interference 
therewith,  and  uphold  the  read- 
ing of  the   Holy   Bible   therein. 

Sixth. — To  establish  or  erect  an 
Orphans'  Home,  as  a  home  for 
the  orphans  of  deceased  mem- 
bers, and  maintain  the  same. 


As    amended    at    the    Minne- 
apolis session: 

First. — To  maintain  and  promote 
the  interests  of  Americans,  and 
shield  them  from  the  depressing 
effects  of  unrestricted  immigra- 
tion; to  assist  them  in  obtain- 
ing employment,  and  to  encour- 
age them  in  business. 

Second. — To  establish  an  insur- 
ance branch  and  a  sick  and 
funeral  fund. 

Third,. — To  uphold  the  American 
Public  School  System;  to  pre- 
vent interference  therewith,  and 
to  encourage  the  reading  of  the 
Holy  Bible  therein. 

Fourth. — To  promote  and  main- 
tain a  National  Orphans'  Home. 


To  an  intelligent  man  the  force  of  this  grievance  "dissolves 
itself  in  thin  air."  Why  should  there  be  three  Objects  where  ont 
will  cover  all  three  much  better  as  amended;  then  it  reads  gram- 
matically and  euphoniously.  The  Beneficiary  Degree  was  de- 
manded by  thousands  and  almost .  unanimously  adopted.  Acting 
under  legal  advice,  it  was  placed  as  an  Object  in  the  code.  The  term 
"  foreign  competition  "  was  eliminated  from  the  First  Object  and 
"  unrestricted  immigration  "  inserted  in  lieu  thereof ;  yet  what  a 
"  howl "  was  made  over  the  change.  Every  one  knows  that  the 
former  term  was  misleading.  It  was  taken  from  the  Seniors  a  I 
the  time  of  the  founding  of  the  Juniors  and  at  that  time  suited 


132  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

their  case.  They  then  were  mechanics,  of  American  birth, 
banded  together  to  protect  themselves  from  foreign-born  mechanics 
working  in  the  shops  and  who  had  an  organization  of  their  own 
to  antagonize  native-born  workingmen.  To-day,  under  present 
conditions,  it  does  not  suit  the  Order.  In  some  sections  of  the 
country  where  the  Order  is  not  well  known,  the  former  term  was 
generally  accepted  as  declaring  for  high  tariff,  and  in  a  Free  Trade 
section  it  was  hard  to  explain  the  term  suitably.  The  term  "  unre- 
stricted immigration  "  certainly  explains  our  true  position  much 
better.  One  fiery  insurgent,  in  addressing  a  council,  stated  that 
the  elimination  of  the  word  "  sectarian  "  was  "  cowardly."  It  is 
anything  else.  Formerly  we  were  pledged  to  prevent  only  sec- 
tarian influence.  As  we  have  it  now  it  shows  that  we  are  opposed 
to  any  and  all  interference,  both  sectarian  and  political. 

THE   RATIO    OF   REPRESENTATION 

Of  all  the  changes  made  at  this  famous  session,  the  one  most 
condemned  was  the  change  in  representation  and  the  paying  of 
mileage  and  per  diem  of  all  Representatives.  This  ratio  of  repre- 
sentation they  claimed  was  "  unfair "  and  "  unjust "  as  well  as 
"  inequitable  "  to  the  larger  states,  as  it  was  "  taxation  without 
representation  " ;  that  Pennsylvania,  for  instance,  paid  nearly  one- 
third  of  the  expenses  yet  had  only  11  Representatives  to  represent 
75,000  members,  while  in  20  other  states  with  less  than  one-third 
the  membership  of  Pennsylvania,  they  would  have  60  or  more 
Representatives.  This  discrimination  they  claimed  was  "  uncon- 
stitutional "  "  unwarranted "  and  a  "  high-handed  arbitrary " 
action,  and  in  consequence  of  such  proceedings,  they  claimed  the 
right  to  refuse  to  levy  the  National  Council  tax,  which  act  rendered 
such  State  Councils  insubordinate. 

Notwithstanding  a  great  "  furore  "  was  created  over  this  action 
of  the  Minneapolis  session,  yet  the  same  "  unjust "  and  "  unfair  " 
condition  of  things  had  existed  prior  to  this  time,  still  nothing 
was  said.  Scanning  the  records  of  the  National  Council,  we  find 
in  its  earlier  history,  that  the  representation  of  the  states  in  the 
National  Body  were  equal,  yet  Pennsylvania  always  had  the  bulk 
of  the  membership  and  met  the  larger  portion  of  the  expenses.  We 
turn  to  the  Richmond  session  held  in  1886,  and  find  there  were 
six  states  represented,  each  with  five  Representatives,  representing 
a  membership  of  15,182 ;  of  this  number  Pennsylvania  had  11,534, 
or  76  per  cent,  of  the  total  membership,  with  but  17  per  cent,  of 
representation;  and  this  "unfair"  and  "unjust"  and  "  inequita- 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  133 

ble  "  representation  had  already  continued  fifteen  years.  Coming 
down  to  the  Cleveland  session,  held  m  1891,  we  find  Pennsylvania 
with  16  Representatives  and  a  membership  of  56,566,  while  New 
York,  which  joined  in  the  cry  of  "unjust,"  "  unfair"  and  '*  in- 
equitable" after  the  session  of  1899,  had  but  3  12  members,  yet  had 
five  National  Representatives,  and  the  nine  other  states  then 
represented,  had  50  National  Representatives  for  a  total  member- 
ship of  15,214.  At  the  Asheville  session  in  1894,  the  basis  of 
representation  was  made  five  from  each  state  for  the  first  5,000 
members,  and  one  additional  for  each  additional  3,000,  or  a  major- 
ity fraction  thereof.  This  gave  Pennsylvania  31  Representatives, 
and  every  state  entitled  to  a  State  Council,  five  each. 

The  change  of  representation  made  at  Minneapolis  gave  Penn- 
sylvania, with  a  smaller  membership  than  she  had  at  Asheville 
five  years  hefore,  11  Representatives,  and  to  each  of  the  smaller 
states  three  Representatives  instead  of  five  as  formerly.  A  little 
figuring  will  show  that  in  percentage,  the  ratio  of  representation 
of  1899  is  about  as  it  was  in  1894.  The  change  of  representation 
made  at  Asheville  in  1894  was  a  political  scheme,  as  referred  to  in 
another  place,  and  was  never  popular  only  so  far  as  it  served  the 
purposes  of  the  old-time  dynasty. 

We  have  thus  briefly  referred  to  the  few  misrepresentations 
that  were  used  to  inflame  the  minds  of  the  members  of  the  Order 
directly  following  the  session  of  1899,  to  show  how  inconsistent  the 
attitude  of  the  insurgents  was.  Having  fashioned  the  Constitu- 
tion of  the  Order  after  the  Constitution  of  the  United  States,  and 
these  very  same  malcontents  being  parties  to  it,  what  arrogancy 
it  was  on  their  part  to  cry  "  unconstitutional/'  "  unjust,"  "  unfair  " 
and  "  inequitable,"  when  every  one  knew  that  in  the  Upper  House 
of  the  United  States  Congress,  New  York  and  Pennsylvania  with 
their  millions  of  population  have  no  more  representation  than  little 
Delaware  and  Rhode  Island.  No  one  hears  complaints  from  the 
Knights  of  Pythias  or  the  I.  O.  O.  F.  about  their  representation. 
The  K.  of  P.  has  the  same  basis  of  representation  as  ours,  yea,  they 
go  farther  and  stop  with  five  Representatives,  no  difference  how 
many  members  a  state  may  have.  A  few  years  ago  in  seven  of  their 
State  lodges  they  had  235,000  members  with  32  Grand  Represen- 
tatives; in  47  State  lodges  they  had  232,000  members  with  101 
Grand  Representatives.  The  I.  O.  O.  F.  is  still  worse,  as  Pennsyl- 
vania a  few  years  ago  had  106,000  members  and  the  Territory  of 
Wyoming  had  but  1,000  members,  yet  each  state  had  tivo  Grand 
Representatives. 


134  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

l  Mi;    PARTING    OF   THE    WAYS 

District  of  Columbia 

In  conformity  with  the  purposes  formed  by  the  leaders  of  the 
insurgents,  that  which  was  considered  a  threat  became  a  fact,  and 
the  decree  went  forth  that  each  State  Council  under  the  control  of 
the .  anti-administration  people  should  defy  the  mandates  of  the 
Supreme  Bod}',  by  refusing  to  levy  upon  the  Subordinate  Councils 
the  National  Council  tax,  until  such  times  as  by  special  or  regular 
session  the  National  Body  should  favorably  consider  the  alleged 
grievances,  which  will  be  noted  in  their  proper  place. 

The  first  State  Council  to  promulgate  this  incendiary  order  or 
decree  was  the  District  of  Columbia,  at  its  meeting,  held  at  Wash- 
ington, D.  C,  Aiigust  14,  1899.  Having  refused  to  honor  the 
National  Council  tax,  therefore  disobeying  its  mandates,  National 
Councilor  Charles  Beimer,  preferred  charges  against  the  State 
Council  for  insubordination,  and  suspended  its  charter,  pending 
trial.  Subsequently,  the  trial  took  place  before  the  National  Judi- 
ciary, the  Court  consisting  of  H.  H.  Eddy,  Chief  Supreme  Judge, 
Harry  S.  Barry  and  W.  L.  S.  Gilcreast,  Supreme  Judges. 

In  a  lengthy  opinion,  the  Judiciary  gave  a  resume  of  the  pro- 
ceedings of  the  trial  and  their  decision.  The  only  question  at  issue 
was  the  "right  of  a  State  Council  to  decline  to  pay  the  National 
Council  the  revenue  due  it  by  the  refusal  to  levy  the  per  capita 
tax  enacted  by  the  National  Council  in  annual  meeting,  or  to  other- 
wise provide  for  the  collection  or  payment  of  said  tax  to  the  Na- 
tional Secretary  by  the  proper  officers  of  said  State  Council."  The 
State  Council,  in  its  defense,  submitted  fifteen  specific  grievances 
growing  out  of  the  action  of  the  National  Council  at  the  Minne- 
apolis session.  The  Court  decided  thirteen  of  the  grievances  mere 
criticisms  upon  the  action  of  said  session,  or  mere  questionings 
of  the  wisdom  of  the  judgment  of  said  National  Council  by  the 
enactment  of  certain  laws.  Consideration  was  given  to  the  other 
two  alleged  grievances.  The  one  was  the  forming  of  an  endow- 
ment rank  or  insurance  association,  thereby  making  the  Order 
an  insurance  company  rather  than  a  patriotic  organization.  The 
other  grievance  considered  was  "  The  unconstitutionality  of  the 
new  and  radical  laws,  they  not  having  been  ratified  by  the  State 
Councils." 

In  analyzing  and  summing  up  the  pleadings  of  the  defendant 
State  Council,  in  justification  of  their  act  of  the  violation  of  the 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  1S5 

fundamental  laws  of  the  Order,  the  Judiciary  Court  announced  the 
following  opinion  : 

"The  power  of  taxation  is  a  prerogative  of  Government.  A  refusal 
to  pay  taxes  lawfully  imposed  threatens,  and  if  sulliciently  general  and 
persistent,   insures   the  destruction   of  government. 

"  Under  the  Supreme  Law  of  the  Order  the  power  to  levy  or  provide 
for  the  tax  necessary  for  the  support  of  the  National  Council  is  lodged 
exclusively  with  the  said  National  Council.  To  concede  the  right  or  the 
power  of  any  other  and  necessarily  subordinate  body  to  refuse  to  collect 
and  pay  over  the  tax  so  levied  or  provided  for  would  be  destructive  of  the 
entire  plan  of  the  Order. 

"  By  a  refusal  to  supplement  the  lawful  act  of  the  National  Council 
in  enacting  a  tax  for  its  maintenance,  the  State  Council  failed  to  perform 
an  express  and  ministerial  duty.  Were  this  otherwise,  there  would  be  an 
end  to  the  National  Government.  The  State  Council  failing  to  perform 
this  duty,  it  must  be  competent  for  the  National  government,  through  its 
proper  department,  in  this  case  the  Judiciary,  to  defend  and  preserve 
itself. 

"  The  State  Council  of  the  District  of  Columbia  should  come  into 
Court  with  clean  hands  when  seeking  redress  for  alleged  grievances.  This 
it  clearly  has  not  done.  Our  Order  teaches  obedience  to  law,  imposes  upon 
its  members  regular  and  lawful  procedure  and  condemns  insubordination 
and  rebellion." 

By  order  of  the  Judiciary,  the  relations  between  the  State 
Council  and  the  National  Body  were  resumed,  with  the  further  order 
that  the  proper  officers  of  said  State  Council  collect  and  pay  over 
to  the  proper  officer  of  the  National  Council  by  January  15,  1900, 
all  per  capita  tax  due  said  National  Council ;  and  that  in  the  event 
of  the  failure  or  refusal  to  pay  over  said  per  capita  tax  or  abide 
by  or  perform  the  orders  set  forth,  then  the  charter  shall  be  re- 
voked. This  decision  was  rendered  on  the  twenty-third  day  of 
November,  1899,  the  trial  having  taken  place  on  the  eighteenth 
of  the  month  preceding.  Having  failed  to  comply  with  the  order 
of  the  Court,  the  National  Councilor,  on  January  27,  1900,  issued 
a  decree  revoking  the  charter  of  the  State  Council. 

Following  the  revocation  of  the  State  Council  charter,  the 
said  State  Council  continued  to  act  and  operate  as  a  body,  where- 
upon the  duly  authorized  officers  of  the  National  Council  filed  a  bill 
in  the  Court  of  Chancery  against  the  dissolved  State  Council,  en- 
joining it  from  acting  and  operating  as  a  body  in  and  by  the  name 
of  the  Jr.  0.  U.  A.  M.  Testimony  was  taken  before  an  Examiner 
in  Chancery,  but  numerous  delays  of  one  character  or  another 
occurred,  and  when  seemingly  ready  for  trial  before  the  Court, 
Justice  Bradley  before  whom  the  case  was  to  be  heard,  died,  thus 
again  delaying  the  issue. 


136  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

Without  further  reference  to  subsequent  action  of  the  Courts, 
at  the  present  writing  (1906)  the  matter  in  the  District  of  Columbia 
is  statu  quo,  the  two  sets  of  Councils  holding  their  meetings  as 
usual  and  going  by  the  name  of  Jr.  0.  IT.  A.  M.,  one  set  under  the 
direction  of  the  Supreme  Body  of  the  Order  and  the  other  and 
larger  number  acting  independently,  each  initiating  members  as  if 
nothing  had  ever  happened. 

In  these  earlier  years  of  the  controversy,  the  branch  of  the 
Order's  government  that  had  more  to  do  with  the  issues  involved, 
not  only  in  Pennsylvania,  but  in  all  the  disaffected  states,  was  the 
National  Judiciary  that  had  been  created  by  the  adoption  of  the 
new  Constitution  and  By-laws  at  Minneapolis  in  1899.  The  first 
National  Judiciary  appointed  was  composed  of  men  of  high  stand- 
ard and  fully  qualified  to  sit  in  this  court  of  last  resort.  The  most 
intricate  and  perplexing  problems  were  brought  before  this  tribunal 
which  were  weighed  so  carefully  that  its  decisions  and  opinions 
were  affirmed  in  every  instance  by  both  the  lower  and  higher  courts, 
so  far  as  they  interpreted  the  fundamental  laws  of  the  organization. 
Eminent  jurists  spoke  in  words  of  highest  praise  of  this  tribunal 
and  as  Judge  Audenried  declared  it  was  higher  than  the  civil 
court  in  the  adjudication  of  the  causes  pertaining  to  the  Jr. 
0.  U.  A.  M. 

The  National  Judiciary  sitting  at  this  critical  period  of  the 
Order's  history  was  composed  of  the  following  brothers:  H.  H. 
Eddy,  of  Colorado,  Supreme  Chief  Judge,  W.  L.  S.  Gilcreast,  of 
Massachusetts,  and  H.  S.  Barry,  of  Maryland,  Chief  Judges.  At 
the  organization  of  the  Court  at  its  first  sitting,  Geo.  F.  Lounds- 
bury,  of  Colorado,  was  appointed  Recorder.  It  might  be  added  that 
A.  D.  Wilkin  was  one  of  the  Chief  Judges  appointed,  but  subse- 
quently resigned  in  order  to  act  as  Counsel  for  the  National  Coun- 
cilor in  the  various  suits  pending,  and  Brother  Gilcreast  was 
appointed  in  his  stead. 


CHAPTER   X 

THE    CONFLICT    AT    THE    CROSSING    OF 
THE    CENTURIES  (Continued) 

Pennsylvania 

WHILE  New  Jersey,  New  York,  the  District  of  Columbia, 
Virginia,  as  well  as  Pennsylvania,  were  affected  by  the 
revolt,  the  latter  state  was  considered  the  battle-ground  in  the  con- 
flict. Here  the  Order  had  its  "  Bull  Eun  " ;  here  also  it  had  its 
"  Appomattox.''  Owing,  therefore,  to  the  prominence  of  Penn- 
sylvania in  the  fight,  in  the  courts  of  which  state  were  decided  the 
questions  that  upheld  the  Order  throughout  the  United  States 
thereby  setting  at  naught  the  efforts  to  disrupt  the  organization, 
this  chapter  largely  will  be  devoted  to  the  Keystone  State  in  pre- 
senting as  concisely  as  possible  a  connected  outline  of  the  struggle 
from  the  Scranton  session  of  the  State  Council  to  the  final  cul- 
mination of  the  conspiracy. 

SUSPENSION    OF    THE    STATE    COUNCIL    OF    PENNSYLVANIA 

The  period  from  the  close  of  the  National  Council  at  Minne- 
apolis to  the  meeting  of  the  State  Council  of  Pennsylvania,  Sep- 
tember 19,  1899,  at  Scranton,  was  utilized  with  more  than  the 
accustomed  zeal  on  the  part  of  the  anti-administration  people,  in 
inspiring  the  membership  with  a  spirit  of  revolt  by  the  publication 
in  the  press  of  the  basest  fabrications  and  promulgating  on  the 
floor  of  the  Council  chambers  the  grossest  exaggerations  relative  to 
the  proceedings  of  the  Minneapolis  session  of  the  Supreme  Body. 
With  minds  violently  inflamed  with  resentment  towards  the  admin- 
istration leaders  of  the  National  Body,  the  Representatives- of  the 
Councils  of  the  state  assembled  at  Scranton  ready  to  follow  the 
insurgent  leaders  in  any  action  they  should  suggest.  More  than 
500  members  answered  to  roll-call  on  the  morning  of  the  19th  of 
September,  and  the  proceedings  of  the  session  were  carried  on  in 
the  usual  way,  the  officers  having  been  elected  for  the  ensuing  year. 
Nothing  of  an  exciting  nature  occurred  until  the  second  day  of  the 
session,  when,  in  the  consideration  of  the  Report  of  the  Finance 
Committee,  the  storm  broke  forth  in  relentless  fury.  Whep  it 
came  to  ratifying  the  National  Council  per  capita  tax  of  15  cents, 
the  anti-administration  element  precipitated  the  revolt  by  opposing 

i37 


138  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

the  levying  and  paymenl  of  said  tax,  until  such  time  as  the  National 
Body  would  redress  the  alleged  wrongs  perpetrated  upon  the  Order, 
by  rescinding  all  legislation  enacted  at  Minneapolis  to  which  they, 
the  insurgents,  objected.  The  procedure  that  culminated  so  seri- 
ously to  the  State  Council,  was  as  follows:  A  motion  was  made 
to  approve  the  recommendation  of  the  Finance  Committee  to  appro- 
priate $11,500  for  the  payment  of  the  National  Council  per  capita 
tax.  This  was  voted  down  by  a  vote  of  326  to  177.  Later  a  motion 
was  made  that  the  State  Council  Secretary  be  instructed  to  pay  the 
National  Council  per  capita  tax  when  due.  This  was  tabled.  The 
State  Councilor  would  not  entertain  a  motion  that  the  State  Coun- 
cil would  not  pay  the  National  Council  tax,  nor  would  he  entertain 
a  motion  to  fix  the  State  per  capita  tax  at  any  amount  less  than  15 
cents. 

On  the  afternoon  of  the  second  day  the  anti-administration 
people  carried  a  motion  levying  9  cents  for  the  specified  purpose  of 
paying  the  expenses  of  the  State  Council  as  per  the  appropriations 
previously  made;  this  was  followed  by  a  motion  to  levy  a  tax  of 
15  cents  to  pay  the  National  Council  per  capita  tax,  which,  was 
lost;  but  an  aye  and  nay  vote  was  demanded.  This  was  taken  on 
Thursday  morning,  the  third  day,  and  resulted  in  its  defeat  by  a 
vote  of  yeas  182,  nays  324.  This  was  practically  the  third  and 
positive  refusal  to  pay  the  National  Council  per  capita  tax,  which 
was  clearly  an  act  of  insubordination  to  the  will  of  the  National 
Body,  and  was  rankest  rebellion. 

In  anticipation  of  the  conspiracy  aimed  at  the  National  Body, 
National  Councilor  Charles  Beimer,  Junior  Past  National  Councilor 
Frank  W.  Pierson  and  Deputy  National  Councilor  Bobert  Ogle, 
as  representatives  of  the  National  Council,  were  in  attendance 
at  the  session,  and  when  the  final  vote  was  taken,  as  above  noted, 
the  declaration  of  the  suspension  of  the  State  Council,  by  the  Na- 
tional Councilor,  was  made  by  Deputy  National  Councilor  Bobert 
Ogle,  as  follows: 

"  You  are  hereby  notified  that  I  have  preferred  charges  of  insubordina- 
tion against  the  State  Council  of  Pennsylvania  before  the  National  Judi- 
ciary, and  pending  the  trial  of  said  charges,  hereby  declare  the  charter  of 
the  said   State  Council  of  Pennsylvania  suspended." 

The  writer  will  not,  to  his  latest  hour,  forget  that  day.  Confi- 
dent they  were  in  the  right,  because  they  were  upholding  the  man- 
dates of  the  Supreme  Body,  the  loyal  minority  stood  resolute  and 
unmoved  amid  the  "  rule  or  ruin  "  majority.  In  the  Chair  sat  that 
prince  among  us,  the  lamented   George  B.   Bowers,   gentle  and 


UNTTED  AMERICAN   MECHANICS  139 

generous,  who,  seeing  the  crisis,  in  one  of  the  mosj  impassioned 
appeals  that  a  man  could  make,  plead  with  the  brothers  to  avert 
the  blow  that  was  sure  to  fall  upon  the  Slate  Body  did  they  con- 
tinue to  resist  unto  insubordination,  by  acting  within  reason.  One 
would  have  supposed  that  such  an  appeal,  so  full  of  pathos  and 
patriotism,  that  the  most  stubborn  heart  would  have  melted  and 
the  determined  opposition  so  manifest  would  have  been  broken. 
But  the  effect  upon  that  body  of  revolutionists  was  of  an  opposite 
character.  When  the  State  Councilor  had  concluded,  several  of  the 
most  violent  of  the  insurgent  leaders  leaped  to  their  feet,  running 
down  the  aisles  of  the  hall,  flourishing  their  arms  and  shrieking 
Tor  recognition,  and  with  language  most  abusive  condemned  the 
noble  and  considerate  State  Councilor,  and  tauntingly  and  sarcas- 
tically dared  the  National  Councilor,  who  was  present,  to  suspend 
the  State  Council.  The  die,  however,  was  cast;  the  power  of  appeal 
had  no  effect  with  men  determined  on  disruption  of  the  organiza- 
tion, hence  there  was  nothing  left  but  to  suspend  the  State  Council, 
and  by  one  act  77,000  members  were  without  a  State  head. 

As  the  loyal  minority,  the  State  Councilor,  State  Vice-Coun- 
cilor, State  Council  Secretary,  with  all  the  other  officers  of  the  body, 
taking  with  them  the  charter,  records  and  all  other  property  of  the 
State  Council,  with  saddened  hearts,  quietly  passed  from  the  hall, 
pandemonium  ensued.  An  attempt  was  made  by  the  insurgents 
to  organize  a  rump  convention,  which  failed,  and  shame-faced  the 
astounded  majority  left  for  their  homes  conscious  of  having  pulled 
their  own  house  down  upon  themselves.  Within  an  hour  after  the 
suspension  of  the  State  Council,  scores  who  had  allied  themselves 
with  the  majority  saw  their  mistake,  but  it  was  too  late.  They  were 
told  by  their  leaders  that  there  was  no  danger  of  suspension,  that 
the  National  Councilor  would  not  dare  take  such  an  extreme  step, 
and  following  them  instead  of  those  who  were  loyal,  they,  by  their 
own  free  will  brought  upon  themselves  the  culminating  act. 

THE   TRIAL   OF   THE    STATE   COUNCIL    OF    PENNSYLVANIA 

Pursuant  to  the  charges  made  against  the  State  Council  of 
Pennsylvania  by  the  National  Councilor  for  "  insubordination,  re- 
bellion, attempting  to  disrupt  and  destroy  the  Order,  and  violation 
of  obligations  and  laws  of  the  Order,"  the  same  were  determined 
before  the  National  Judiciary  at  a  meeting  of  the  Court  held  No- 
vember 15,  1899.  The  Board  of  Officers  of  Pennsylvania  were 
represented  by  their  attorney,  Alex.  M.  DeHaven,  and  made  answer 
to  the  charges  preferred  by  the  National  Councilor.     In  the  answers 


140  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

submitted,  the  respondents  gave  a  resume  of  the  proceedings  of  the 
Scranton  session  that  lead  up  to  the  culminating  act  of  insubordina- 
tion by  the  will  of  the  majority,  and  the  subsequent  suspension  of 
the  State  Council.  The  respondents  averred  that  they  were  "not 
in  their  own  proper  persons  guilty  of  any  act,  matter,  cause  or 
thing,  whereby  they,  the  '  Board  of  Officers/  are  guilty  of  the 
charges."  They  also  averred  that  it  was  not  their  belief  "  that  it  is 
the  true  intent  and  spirit  of  the  majority  of  the  Councils  of  the 
Order,  that  any  act  of  insubordination  would  be  ratified  or 
approved,  if  properly  submitted  to  those  duly  authorized  to  act." 

The  fifth  clause  of  the  respondent's  answer  contained  the  fol- 
lowing averment,  which  indicates,  what  was  the  general  opinion 
with  the  loyalists  at  the  time,  as  to  the  real  motive  for  the  rebellion  : 

"  Your  respondents  further  answer  and  say  that  from  the  various 
writings,  publications  and  inuendoes,  which  were  made  prior  to  the  said 
session  of  the  State  Council  of  Pennsylvania,  they  have  been  led  to  believe 
that  the  action  formulated  at  said  session  was  premeditated  and  deliberate 
and  not  in  the  spirit  of  brotherly  love  which  always  characterized  sessions 
of  the  Order,  and  that  the  reasonableness,  fairness  and  regularity  of  said 
per  capita  tax  was  not  a  cause  in  itself,  which  led  a  majority  of  the 
members  of  said  session  to  vote  as  they  did,  but  that  behind  this  action 
there  existed  more  sinister  and  cogent  reasons  prompted  by  feelings  not 
germane  to  the  icelfare  and  future  prosperity  of  the  Order,  and  that  the 
amount  of  the  per  capita  tax  teas  but  a  cloak  to  reach  an  end." 

The  sixth  clause  refers  to  the  reasonableness  of  the  per  capita 
tax  and  the  willingness  of  the  respondents  to  pay  same,  and  adds : 

"  If  the  amount  thereof,  as  alleged  by  some,  is  excessive,  unjust  and 
unreasonable,  that  question  must  be  raised  in  another  form  and  not  in 
the  State  Council  of  Pennsylvania,  and  at  least  not  in  the  manner  and 
form  in  which  it  was  raised  at  the  session  held  in  Scranton  on  Sept.  19, 
and  they  further  allege  that  the  mere  fact  that  more  members  voted  not 
to  pay  the  said  per  capita  tax,  than  those  who  voted  for  it,  is  not  an 
expression  of  the  true  will  of  the  Order  at  large,  because  a  majority  vote 
is  often  reached  upon  a  hypothesis,  which  is  false  from  its  very  foundation, 
and  that  a  majority  interest  when  departing  from  the  rules,  regulations 
and  constitution  of  the  Order  makes  no  binding  authority  upon  the  minority 
and  that  minority  if  within  the  precepts  of  the  constitution  and  the  law, 
is  the  true  expression  of  the  majority  itself,  and  would  be  clearly  recog- 
nized in  the  Courts  of  this  Commonwealth,  and  the  majority  vote  cast  at 
said  session  is  no  more  expression  of  and  binding  upon  the  Order,  than  if 
that  same  majority  had  by  the  same  vote  directed  all  the  funds  in  the 
treasuries  of  the  Order  to  be  dissipated  for  objects  unauthorized  by  the 
constitution  and  by-laws  of  the  Order." 

As  an  evidence  of  the  relentless  determination  of  the  insurgent 
majority  not  to  to  be  reasonable  in  the  controversy,  at  the  Scranton 
session  the  State  Councilor  suggested  that  any  alleged  grievances 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  141 

they  had  should  be  submitted  to  the  next  session  of  the  National 
Council,  and  that  he  would  entertain  a  motion  instructing  the 
National  Eepresentatives  to  endeavor  to  secure  redress  therefrom; 
but  no  such  motion  was  made.  Previous  to  the  hearing  before 
the  National  Judiciary,  the  State  Board  of  Officers  sent  a  letter  to 
the  Councils  of  the  state  notifying  them  of  the  sitting  of  the  Court 
and  requested  them  to  formulate  any  grievances  they  might  have 
or  urge  as  a  justification  for  the  action  of  the  State  Council  at 
Scranton  in  refusing  to  pay  the  per  capita  tax,  and  that  they  might 
appear  or  be  represented  before  the  Judiciary,  but  no  grievances 
were  either  sent  or  presented  in  person  or  by  representative.  A 
request  was  made  of  Mr.  Pike,  attorney  for  the  insurgent  body,  to 
be  present  and  present  a  list  of  grievances,  but  the  chief  counsel  for 
the  revolting  body  refused  to  furnish  such  list. 

The  Judiciary,  in  rendering  their  decision,  stated  the  general 
and  axiomatic  truth,  that  "the  power  of  taxation  was  an  essential 
prerogative  of  government,"  etc.,  as  quoted  in  full  in  their  decision 
rendered  in  the  case  of  the  District  of  Columbia.  (See  page  135. ) 
The  suspension  of  the  charter  of  the  State  Council  having  expired 
by  the  terms  of  the  proclamation,  the  Court  directed  that  on  or 
before  the  10th  day  of  January,  1900,  the  amount  of  per  capita  tax 
due  the  National  Council  should  be  paid  to  the  proper  authorities, 
and  at  the  same  time  ordered  that  the  State  Council  officers  pro- 
ceed to  notify  all  councils  of  the  per  capita  tax  due  for  Nationnl 
Council  expenses,  and  in  failure  thereof  to  pay  said  tax,  they  were 
to  be  dealt  with  in  accordance  with  the  law  of  the  Order.  And  it 
was  further  ordered  that  in  the  event  of  the  State  Council  failing 
or  refusing  to  remit  said  tax  or  otherwise  disobeying  the  decree 
of  the  Court,  the  State  Council  charter  shall  be  revoked.  It  is 
scarcely  necessary  to  state  that  the  decree  of  the  Judiciary  was 
obeyed  by  the  regularly  constituted  authorities  of  the  State  Council. 

DERRY  COUNCIL,  NO,  40,  VERSUS  STATE  COUNCIL  OF  PENNSYLVANIA, 
AND   THE   NATIONAL    COUNCIL 

One  of  the  fundamental  principles  of  the  organization  where 
redress  for  alleged  grievances  is  desired  is  to  employ  all  means 
and  every  agency  within  the  Order  to  right  the  wrongs  before  resort- 
ing to  the  courts  of  justice.  This  principle  very  early  in  the  con- 
troversy was  violated  by  the  insurgents  who,  before  all  other  means 
had  been  tried  and  exhausted,  cited  the  National  Council  and  the 
State  Council  of  Pennsylvania  before  the  courts,  thereby  not  only 
placing  these  bodies  in  jeopardy,  but  in  an  embarrassing  position 


142  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

before  the  general  public,  causing  great  harm  and  retarding  for 
years  the  growth  of  the  Order. 

In  conformity  with  the  decree  of  the  Judiciary,  the  State 
Council  officers  made  the  usual  demand  of  the  Subordinate  Councils 
of  the  State  that  they  remit  the  per  capita  tax,  National,  Orphans' 
Home  and  State.  Alleging  that  the  demand  for  the  National 
Council  tax  was  illegal,  Derry  Council,  No.  40,  acting  by  and  under 
authority  of  the  counsel  of  the  insurgent  element,  went  into  the 
Dauphin  County  Court  asking  for  a  preliminary  injunction  re- 
straining the  State  Council  and  National  Council  from  collecting 
said  National  Council  per  capita  tax  from  the  Councils  of  Penn- 
sylvania. The  application  for  a  preliminary  injunction  was  made 
on  December  20,  1899,  which  the  Court  would  not  grant,  but  fixed 
December  28,  as  the  date  for  a  hearing  on  the  application  for  such 
injunction.  By  mutual  agreement  this  hearing  was  postponed 
until  January  4,  1900,  at  which  time  the  hearing  took  place  before 
Judge  Weiss.  Hon.  John  E.  Fox  and  W.  A.  Pike  appeared  as  coun- 
sel for  the  plaintiff,  and  Hon.  W.  U.  Hensel,  Alex.  M.  DeHaven 
and  A.  D.  Wilkin  appeared  for  the  respondents.  The  National 
and  State  Councils  were  well  represented  at  the  hearing,  there  be- 
ing present,  Brothers  Eeimer,  Bowers,  Pierson,  Ogle,  Deemer, 
Barry,  Collins,  Painter,  Lutz  and  Lichliter.  Quite  a  number  of 
the  insurgent  leaders  were  in  attendance,  giving  "  moral  support " 
to  their  cause,  while  H.  Wells  Buser  sat  at  the  counsel  table  "  coach- 
ing "  their  attorneys  who  seemed  quite  unfamiliar  with  the  case. 
The  counsel  for  the  respondents  were  prepared  to  go  into  a  final 
hearing,  but  the  counsel  for  the  plaintiff  asked  for  more  time. 

Entering  upon  the  case  for  a  preliminary  injunction,  counsel 
for  the  plaintiff  was  unable  to  cite  to  the  Court  any  precedents  in 
favor  of  such  a  prayer;  while  upon  the  other  hand,  Mr.  Hensel, 
counsel  for  the  respondents,  cited  a  large  number  of  precedents  and 
Supreme  Court  decisions  supporting  his  contention  that  the  plain- 
tiff was  not  entitled  to  the  relief  sought.  Apparently  this  was  the 
view  of  the  Court,  for  the  preliminary  injunction  was  refused  and 
the  20th  of  January,  1900,  was  fixed  for  the  final  hearing. 

The  bill  in  equity  consisted  of  twenty-two  specifications,  some 
of  them,  however,  explanatory,  in  which  there  was  agreement  on  the 
part  of  both  plaintiff  and  defendants. 

1.  The  claim  relative  to  the  incorporation  of  Derry  Council,  No.  40, 
the  respondents  admitted. 

2.  The  institution  and  incorporation  of  flip  State  Cnunril  of  Pennsyl- 
vania, as  stated  in  this  paragraph,  was  also  admitted  by  the  respondents. 


UNITED  AMERICAN   MECHANICS  143 

3.  The  same  was  also  true  of  the  third  paragraph  which  related  to 
the  incorporation  of  the  National  Council. 

4.  The  fourth  paragraph  of  bill  recited  the  provisions  of  Article  VI, 
Section  2,  of  the  Constitution  of  the  National  Council  relative  to  the  col- 
lection and  payment  of  per  capita  tax  as  decided  by  the  National  Body,  as 
found  in  the  Constitution  and  National  Council  Laws  prior  to  the  session 
of  1899.  The  respondents  admitted  this  part  of  the  bill,  but  averred  that 
the  Order  was  now  working  under  the  Constitution  and  Laws  as  adopted 
at  Minneapolis,  Minnesota,  June,  1899,  which  superseded  those  under  which 
the  National  Body  worked,  and  that  said  laws  were  now  and  were  at  the 
time  of  the  drawing  up  of  t he  plaintiff's  bill,  the  supreme,  national,  valid. 
and  subsisting  laws  of  the  Order. 

5."  The  provision  of  the  article  and  section  in  the  State  Council  Con- 
stitution providing  how  Subordinate  Councils  were  to  pay  to  the  State 
Council  their  per  capita  tax  and  the  penalty  for  failing  to  do  so,  as  cited 
in  this  item  of  the  bill,  was  admitted  by  the  respondents,  but  they  averred, 
however,  that  said  provisions  had  no  relevancy  whatever  to  the  obligations 
of  the  State  Council,  or  of  members  of  the  Order  to  the  National  Council. 

6.  Both  plaintiff  and  respondents  agreed  to  this  item  wherein  it  stated 
that  under  the  charter  granted  to  the  National  Council  by  one  of  the  courts 
of  Philadelphia,  "  The  business  of  the  corporation  is  to  be  conducted  in 
the  City  of  Philadelphia." 

7.  The  burden  of  this  paragraph  was  that  the  National  Council,  "  in 
violation  of  the  express  provisions  of  paragraph  3,  of  the  said  charter  of 
the  National  Council  aforesaid,  did  not  meet  in  annual  session  in  the  year 
1899,  in  the  City  of  Philadelphia,  nor  was  it  decided  by  the  National 
Council  in  the  City  of  Philadelphia  in  the  year  1899  tchat  amount  of  per 
capita  tax  each  State  Council  should  pay  to  the  National  Council." 

The  respondents  admitted  the  averment  as  stated  in  this  paragraph, 
but  denied  that  such  meeting  of  the  National  Council  and  the  fixing  of 
the  per  capita  tax  was  in  violation  of  the  charter,  because  the  meeting 
took  place  without  the  City  of  Philadelphia  and  State  of  Pennsylvania  or 
that  the  levying  of  the  per  capita  tax  was  illegal  because  of  such  place  of 
meeting.  The  respondents  further  averred  that  the  place  of  meeting  of  the 
National  Council,  which  was  a  representative  body  made  up  of  represen- 
tatives of  the  Order  from  many  states  of  the  Union,  had  been  for  years 
fixed  by  a  majority  vote  of  the  National  Body,  in  accordance  with  the 
laws  governing  the  Organization,  and  by  such  vote  and  in  accordance  with 
established  laws,  Minneapolis,  Minnesota,  had  been  fixed  as  the  place  of 
meeting  for  1899.  "  That  in  the  proceedings  to  fix  this  place  of  meeting 
the  delegates  from  Pennsylvania  had  participated  and  concurred  in  the 
selection  of  Minneapolis  as  the  place  of  meeting.  That  at  said  meeting 
the  business  transacted  ivas  not  the  corporate  business  contemplated  by 
the  articles  and  conditions  of  its  charter." 

The  respondents  denied  further  that  all  the  business  of  the  National 
Council  was  done  outside  of  Philadelphia  and  the  State  of  Pennsylvania. 
They  averred  that  the  regular  routine  business  of  the  Order  was  transacted 
from  time  to  time  and  from  month  to  month  in  the  City  of  Philadelphia, 
where  the  main  office  is  located,  and  the  office  had  been  nowhere  else 
since  the  incorporation  of  the  National  Council.  The  respondents  still 
further  denied  that  the  resolution  deciding  the  per  capita  tax  was  not 
such  a  business  that  could  be  transacted  outside  of  the  State  of  Pennsyl- 


144  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

vania;  and  they  still  further  averred  and  declared  that  H.  Wells  Buser, 
one  of  the  complainants  and  plaintiffs,  "  icas  a  party  to  and  aided  to 
secure  the  regulation  that  the  annual  sessions  of  the  National  Council 
should  be  held  in  such  places  as  the  majority  of  the  members  of  the  session 
should  appoint,  as  provided  in  Article  III  (page  40),  of  the  by-laws  of 
said  association  in  force  prior  to  June,  1899;  and  in  accordance  with  which 
Minneapolis  was  lawfully  and  regularly  chosen  as  the  place  of  meeting 
in  June,  1899." 

8.  Paragraph  eight  recited  the  facts  already  a  part  of  record,  relative 
to  meeting  of  the  State  Council  in  the  city  of  Scranton;  that  the  State 
body  did  reject  a  motion  to  pay  the  National  Council  per  capita  tax  of 
15  cents  or  to  order  a  levy  for  same;  and  that  it  was  not  agreed  upon  in 
said  State  Council  to  fix  any  amount  of  per  capita  tax,  and  before  such 
action  could  be  taken  the  National  Councilor  suspended  the  State  Council 
and  it  Avas  adjourned  without  date  and  there  had  been  no  session  since. 

The  respondents  admitted  the  statements  in  this  item  of  the  bill, 
but  averred  that  after  the  failure  of  passing  the  resolution  to  pay  the 
National  Council  tax,  a  motion  to  reconsider  the  vote  thereon  was  taken 
and  failed,  "  ichich  action  by  the  said  State  Council  was  final  and  con- 
clusive and  determinate  of  the  refusal  of  said  State  Council  to  fix  or  levy 
said  per  capita  tax;  wherefore  it  is  denied  that  before  any  action  was 
taken  by  the  said  State  Council  with  regard  to  the  raising  of  the  per 
capita  tax,  the  National  Councilor  suspended  the  charter  of  the  State 
Council ;  and  they  aver  that  the  charter  of  said  State  Council  was  sus- 
pended by  the  National  Councilor  after  the  said  State  Council  had  refused, 
by  vote,  to  reconsider  the  motion  to  pay  said  per  capita  tax." 

9.  This  item  of  the  bill  referred  to  the  vested  powers  of  the  National 
Council  relative  to  granting  charters,  etc.,  and  that  when  a  State  Council 
has  been  chartered  it  shall  have  full  authority  over  the  Subordinate  Coun- 
cils within  its  jurisdiction. 

This  provision  under  the  constitution  prior  to  the  session  of  1899, 
was  admitted  by  the  respondents,  but  averred  that  said  provision  had  been 
superseded  in  part  and  supplanted  by  the  Constitution  and  National  Laws 
adopted  at  Minneapolis  in  which  the  following  powers  are  vested  in  the 
National  Council :  "  To  grant  charters  to  State  Councils,  and  to  provide 
by  law  for  the  issue,  revocation,  suspension,  restoration  and  reissue  of 
such  charters." 

10.  This  paragraph  recited  a  section  of  the  laws  of  the  National 
Council  as  follows:  "A  law  shall  not  be  binding  on  a  State  or  Subordinate 
Council  under  the  jurisdiction  of  the  National  Council  or  a  Subordinate 
Council  under  the  jurisdiction  of  a  State  Council  until  such  State  or 
Subordinate  Council  has  received  an  official  copy  of  such  law,  signed  by 
the  proper  officer  and  the  seal  of  the  superior  body  attached,  or  such  other 
manner  designated  as  official  by  the  proper  authorities." 

The  respondents  admitted  that  there  was  such  a  law  prior  to  June, 
1899,  but  averred  that  there  is  no  such  law  nor  regulation  of  the  Order 
now  in  existence,  nor  was  there  at  the  time  the  plaintiffs  formulated 
their  bill. 

11.  Under  this  item  the  complainant  averred  that  at  no  time  had  the 
State  Council  since  the  Minneapolis  session  received  an  official  copy  of 
the  proceedings  and  laws  of  said  session. 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  145 

This  statement  the  respondents  denied  emphatically,  averring  that 
such  proceedings  and  laws  had  been  printed  and  distributed  and  that  a 
copy  had  been  exhibited  at  the  Scranton  session;  that  the  procedure  of  said 
session  was  in  accordance  with  said  laws  as  well  as  nominations  of  National 
Representatives  to  the  National  Body  were  made  as  provided  by  the  new 
laws  in  the  early  part  of  the  session,  and  not  at  the  end  of  the  session  as 
under  the  old  laws;  and  moreover  a  motitfn  had  been  made  to  lay  over  the 
consideration  of  the  new  laws  until  the  per  capita  tax  should  be  consid- 
ered, all  of  which  showed,  the  respondents  say,  that  there  was  a  complete 
knowledge  of  the  National  Laws  by  the  said  State  and  Subordinate  Councils. 

12.  This  section  of  the  bill  complains  "  that  at  no  time  since  the 
meeting  in  annual  session  in  Minneapolis,  in  the  year  1899,  as  aforesaid, 
has  the  State  Council  aforesaid,  nor  the  plaintiff  in  any  wise  ratified, 
adopted,  approved  or  accepted  the  acts  and  proceedings  of  the  said  National 
Council  as  the  acts  and  proceedings  of  the  said  State  Council  nor  the  acts 
and  proceedings  of  the  plaintiff." 

This  count  in  the  bill  the  respondents  denied,  averring  "  that  from 
the  adoption  of  said  Constitution  and  National  Laws  at  Minneapolis, 
June,  1899,  they  became  operative  and  binding  on  the  State  Council  of 
Pennsylvania  and  on  the  plaintiff,  and  required  no  formal  action,  ratifica- 
tion, adoption  or  acceptance  by  either  the  State  Council  or  plaintiff,  and 
that  they  are  binding  upon  them  as  the  Supreme  Law  of  said  Order." 

13.  The  thirteenth  count  in  the  bill  was  a  copy  of  the  decree  of  the 
Judiciary  relative  to  the  collection  of  the  National  Council  per  capita 
tax,  and  the  penalty  in  the  event  of  failure  or  refusal  to  so  do. 

This  count  was  admitted  by  the  respondents. 

14.  The  complaint  in  this  count  was,  that  the  Secretary  of  the  State 
Council,  in  conformity  with  the  order  of  the  Judiciary,  had  sent  statement 
of  per  capita  tax  due  from  the  Councils,  in  which  was  included  the  semi- 
annual tax  for  National  Council  purposes. 

This  count  was  also  admitted  by  the  respondents. 

15.  This  paragraph  gave  in  full  the  decree  of  the  Judiciary,  com- 
plaining that  an  attempt  was  being  made  to  carry  out  its  provisions,  and 
in  the  failure  of  the  payment  of  said  National  Council  tax,  the  charter  of 
said  State  Council  would  be  revoked. 

The  respondents  admitted  the  allegation. 

16.  This  count  of  the  bill  read:  "That  the  complainant  does  not 
object  to  the  payment  of  and  does  intend  to  pay  the  per  capita  tax  due  the 
State  Council,  to  wit,  5  cents,  and  the  per  capita  tax  due  to  the  Orphans' 
Home,  to  wit,  5  cents,  but  avers  that  the  National  Judiciary  does  not  have 
any  legal  existence,  having  been  first  formed  and  created  at  the  annual 
session  of  the  National  Council  held  in  Minneapolis,  in  Minnesota,  on  June 
20th,  etc.,  1S99,  outside  of  the  Commonwealth  of  Pennsylvania,  and  that 
its  order  therefore  is  illegal  and  not  binding  upon  the  State  Council,  its 
officers  or  complainant." 

In  answer  to  this  complaint,  the  respondents  replied,  to  wit:  "They 
are  not  informed,  and  they  neither  admit  or  deny  that  the  complainant 
does  not  object  to  the  payment  of  and  it  has  intended  to  pay  the  per  capita 
tax  due  the  State  Council,  to  wit,  five  cents,  and  the  per  capita  tax 
due  to  the  Orphans'  Home,  to  wit,  five  cents;  and  they  demand  proof  of 
the  same.  But  they  deny  that  the  National  Judiciary  docs  not  have  any 
legal   existence,   and   aver   that   it   has   legal    existence   and   was   lawful Iv 


146  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

formed,  and  that  its  order  is  legal  and  binding  upon  the  State  Council,  its 
officers  and  complainant." 

17.  This  count  claimed  that  the  Secretary  of  the  State  Council  had 
no  authority  to  "  make  the  order  or  demand  the  per  capita  tax  due  the 
National  Council,"  for  the  reason  that  the  order  of  the  Judiciary  was 
illegal  and  that  the  State  Council  at  Scranton  had  not  agreed  to  its 
payment. 

The  allegations  in  this  item  of  bill  was  denied  by  the  respondents, 
they  claiming  that  the  order  of  the  Judiciary  was  legal,  and  that  the 
notices  sent  by  the  State  Council  Secretary  was  done  in  accordance  with 
his  duty  as  an  officer  of  said  State  Council. 

18.  The  complainant  averred  that  they  had  not  in  any  way  ratified, 
accepted  or  adopted  the  proceedings,  laws,  etc.,  of  the  Minneapolis  session, 
nor  recognized  the  legal  existence  of  the  National  Judiciary. 

This  was  also  denied  by  the  respondents,  averring  that  Derry  Council, 
not  having  withdrawn  from  the  Order,  had  ratified,  accepted  and  adopted 
said  laws  and  proceedings,  and  at  the  same  time  had  recognized  the  legal 
existence  of  the  National  Judiciary. 

19.  This  count  averred  that  the  complainant  had  been  informed  that 
one  of  the  respondents,  the  State  Council  of  Pennsylvania,  through  its 
proper  officers,  were  negotiating  a  loan  to  pay  said  per  capita  tax,  and  in 
the  event  of  which  the  complainant  would  be  compelled  to  assist  in  the 
payment  of  same. 

This  allegation  was  denied  by  the  respondents. 

20.  The  plaintiff  in  this  count  averred,  that  it  feared  that  the  penalty 
for  refusing  to  pay  per  capita  tax  would  be  imposed  upon  it  unjustly. 

In  their  answer,  the  respondents  averred  that  they  had  no  knowledge 
of  the  allegation  as  claimed  in  plaintiff's  bill;  that  they  are  advised  that 
same  is  not  relevant  in  the  present  proceedings  and  afford  no  ground  for 
equitable  relief  to  plaintiff,  and  that  they  demand  proof  of  same. 

21.  This  item  of  plaintiff's  bill,  gave  a  copy  of  the  minutes  of  Derry 
Council,  at  a  meeting  held,  reciting  the  action  of  the  National  Judiciary, 
as  herebefore  cited,  claiming  same  illegal,  etc.,  and  a  copy  of  the  resolution 
of  said  Council  authorizing  the  proceedings  for  action  in  the  Dauphin 
County  Court  to  restrain  the  State  and  National  Councils  from  carrying 
out  the  decree  of  said  Judiciary. 

The  same  answer  as  in  the  20th  count,  was  given  by  the  respondents. 

22.  The  complainant  further  averred  that  it  had  no  adequate  remedy, 
therefore  prayed  for  equitable  relief  as  follows: 

1.  That  the  regular  constituted  officers  of  the  State  Council  of 
Pennsylvania  (naming  them),  "be  restricted  from  levying  and  collecting 
from  your  complainant  the  said  per  capita  tax  for  the  National  Council, 
to  wit,  7y3  cents." 

2.  That  the  Board  of  Officers,  other  officers,  and  Finance  Committee 
of  the  said  State  Council,  "  be  restrained  from  borrowing  money  on  the 
credit  of  the  State  Council  to  pay  said  per  capita  tax  to  the  said  National 
Council. 

3.  "  That  the  acts  and  proceedings  of  the  National  Council  in  its 
annual  session  held  at  Minneapolis,  on  June  20-22,  1899,  and  the  code  of 
laws  adopted  thereat,  be  declared  illegal,  invalid  and  null  and  void. 

4.  "  That  the  order  of  the  National  Judiciary  to  the  State  Council 
Secretary,  the  State  Councilor,  the  State  Council  Finance  Committee  and 


UNITED  AMERICAN   MECHANICS  147 

the    State   Council    Treasurer   of    the    State    Council    of    Pennsylvania,    be 
declared  illegal,  invalid  and  null  and  void. 

5.  "That  the  order  and  decree  of  the  National  Judiciary  revoking 
the  State  Council  charter  of  Pennsylvania,  on  failure  to  pay  said  per 
capita  tax  by  the  10th  day  of  January,  A.D.,  1900,  shall  be  declared  illegal, 
invalid  and  null  and  void. 

6.  "  That  all  of  the  other  orders  and  decrees  and  proceedings  of  the 
National  Judiciary  be  declared  illegal,  invalid  and  null   and  void. 

7.  "That  the  said  National  Council  shall  be  restrained  from  holding 
its  annual  sessions  and  transacting  and  conducting  its  business  outside 
the  County  of  Philadelphia,  contrary  to  the  provisions  of  its  said  charter. 

8.  "  General  relief." 

The  respondents  denied  that  the  plaintiff  had  no  adequate  relief  and 
averred  that  they  have  proper  remedy  at  law,  and  further  averred  that  the 
plaintiff  disclosed  in  the  bill  of  complaint  no  subject  whatever  for  equit- 
able relief,  and  disclaimed  the  necessity  of  intervention  in  a  Court  of 
Equity. 

DECISION  OF  JUDGE  WEISS 

Notwithstanding  the  weakness  of  the  argument  of  the  plaintiff, 
in  the  bill  of  complaint,  and  the  stronger  demurrer  filed  against 
same,  the  Court  sustained  Derry  Council  in  its  contention  that  the 
laws  enacted  at  Minneapolis  session  were  illegal,  and  granted  a 
permanent  injunction  restraining  the  State  Council  of  Pennsylvania 
from  levying  and  collecting  the  National  Council  per  capita  tax 
from  the  plaintiff  or  otherwise  interfering  with  the  Council,  dis- 
ciplinary or  otherwise. 

Without  entering  into  a  detailed  quotation  of  the  decision,  it 
is  simply  necessary  to  state  that  the  decision  of  Judge  Weiss  was 
based  upon  the  fact,  that  the  National  Council  having  been  incor- 
porated under  the  laws  of  Pennsylvania,  and  the  place  where  its  cor- 
porate business  could  properly  be  transacted,  being  Philadelphia, 
that  the  meeting  at  Minneapolis  and  the  business  there  transacted 
ivas  illegal  because  held  outside  the  State  of  Pennsylvania,  hence 
in  the  opinion  of  the  Court,  it  was  manifestly  intended  by  the  cor- 
porators of  the  National  Body  that  the  general  meeting  of  the  Body 
should  be  held  within  the  boundary  of  the  State  and  probably  at 
the  place  (Philadelphia)  designated  in  the  certificate  of  corporation. 
On  this  phase  of  the  controversy,  the  Judge  said  : 

"  To  characterize  the  Constitution  and  code  of  laws  of  the  National 
Council  by  no  higher  title  than  by-laws  for  which  they  may  have  been 
intended  as  a  substitute,  it  would  seem  to  follow  that  changes  in  the 
governing  charter  by  which  the  franchises  of  a  corporation  are  operated 
and  directed  must  be  made  by  the  corporation  within  the  confines  of  the 
incorporating  state.  Especially  oupht  this  view  to  obtain  when  it  is  con- 
sidered that  at  Minneapolis  all  constitutions,  laws,  decisions  and  rulings 
theretofore  existing  and  made  were  hj  the  National  Council  annulled  and 


148  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

a  new,  though  perhaps  better  system  of  ordinances  or  principles  for  the 
government  of  the  Order  inaugurated  or  created. 

"  The  view  we  have  taken  of  the  case  renders  it  unnecessary  to  con- 
sider the  other  questions  raised  by  the  bill  and  answer,  and  it  was  only  upon 
full  consideration  that  a  conclusion  was  reached  respecting  the  invalidity 
of  the  proceedings  and  enactments  of  the  National  Council  of  Minneapolis. 
The  right  to  levy  the  tax  contemplated  by  the  National  Council  when  sitting 
in  the  proper  jurisdiction  is  another,  and,  it  may  be  a  different  question." 

In  discussing  the  proceedings  and  acts  of  the  Minneapolis 
session  where  great  changes  were  made  in  the  Constitution  and 
Laws,  many  superseding  those  in  former  code,  especially  the  article 
as  to  prescribing  the  sources  of  raising  the  revenue  for  the  National 
Council,  the  Court  claimed  that  it  was  not  necessary  to  ascertain 
whether  it  had  the  power  to  do  so,  and  added : 

"  What  concerns  the  view  we  take  of  the  case  is  not  so  much  the 
right  to  do  what  was  done,  as  the  acts  which  were  done.  We  are  not  inter- 
preting the  provisions  of  the  section  of  the  article,  nor  those  of  the  chapter 
in  question.  Our  conclusion  is  that  the  act  related  to  a  change  in  the 
fundamental  law  and  was  a  corporate  act." 

Hence  the  burden  of  the  Court's  opinion  was  that  a  corporation 
created  by  or  under  the  laws  of  the  state  cannot  meet  in  another 
state  and  create  or  recreate  an  organic  and  fundamental  law  by 
which  its  corporate  existence  is  governed  and  perpetuated.  And, 
therefore,  it  was  his  opinion  that  the  enactments  at  Minneapolis 
were  corporate  acts  strictly  called. 

SESSION   OF   THE   NATIONAL    COUNCIL   OF    1900 

While  under  the  caption  "  History  of  the  National  Council," 
the  procedure  of  this  session  will  more  properly  find  its  place,  still 
in  order  to  keep  the  thread  of  the  controversy  chronologically  intact, 
it  is  necessary  in  this  connection  to  refer  to  this  session,  being 
equally  important,  in  its  bearing  on  the  entire  struggle,  as  the 
Minneapolis  session. 

Judge  Weiss  having  granted  the  injunction  restraining  the 
State  Council  of  Pennsylvania  from  levying  and  collecting  the  Na- 
tional Council  per  capita  tax,  because  in  the  opinion  of  the  Court 
the  Minneapolis  session  of  the  National  Council  was  not  legal, 
having  been  held  without  the  State  of  Pennsylvania,  it  was  made 
necessary  to  change  the  place  of  meeting  of  the  National  Body  from 
Detroit,  where  it  had  been  fixed  by  vote  of  the  body  at  Minneapolis, 
to  Philadelphia.  In  view  of  the  situation,  the  National  Councilor 
issued  the  following  proclamation: 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  149 

"  PROCLAMATION. 

"  Baltimore,  Md.,  March  28,  1900. 

"  To  the  State  Councils,  Subordinate  Councils  and  Members  of  the  Junior 

Order   United  American   Mechanics   of    the    United   States   of  North 

America. — Greeting  : 

"  Dear  Sirs  and  Brothers. — 

"  Whereas,  Controversies  have  existed  within  the  Order  since  the 
Minneapolis  session  of  the  National  Council,  questioning  the  right  of  the 
National  Council  to  enforce  its  laws  and  to  levy  and  collect  a  reasonable 
per  capita  tax  for  its  maintenance  and  support;  and, 

"  Whereas,  Deny  Council,  No.  40,  of  Hummelstown,  Pa.,  brought 
suit  in  the  Dauphin  County  Court  of  Pennsylvania  to  enjoin  the  collection 
of  said  tax  from  said  Derry  Council ;  and, 

"  Whereas,  Said  court  ruled  that  the  levy  of  said  tax  was  illegal  by 
reason  of  said  session  of  the  National  Council  having  been  held  beyond 
the  boundaries  of  the  State  of  Pennsylvania,  and  upon  that  single  point 
restrained  the  collection  of  the  said  tax  from  said  Council ;  and, 

"  Whereas,  An  appeal  from  said  decree  has  been  perfected  in  the 
Supreme  Court  of  Pennsylvania,  pending  which  all  the  issues  involved 
in  said  suit  remain  undetermined,  leaving  unimpeded  the  legitimate  work 
of  the  organization  under  the  laws  passed  at  the  annual  session  of  the 
National  Council  at  Minneapolis,  June,  1899: 

"  Therefore  be  it  known,  That  the  next  place  of  meeting  of  the 
National  Council  is  hereby  changed  from  Detroit,  Mich.,  to  Philadelphia, 
Pa.,  and  that  said  session  is  hereby  called  to  convene  on  the  nineteenth 
day  of  June,  1900. 

"  Yours  fraternally,   in  V.,  L.  and  P., 

"  Charles  Pieimer, 
[seal.]  "National  Councilor." 

Early  in  the  year  the  National  Councilor  had  been  requested 
by  certain  of  the  dissatisfied  element  of  the  National  Council  to 
call  an  extra  session  of  the  National  Body  to  consider  the  grievances 
they  had  to  present.  This  the  National  Councilor  declined  to  do, 
but  assured  them  of  his  willingness  to  lay  before  the  regular  session 
of  the  National  Body  such  grievances  as  they  wished  brought  to  the 
attention  of  its  members.  In  connection  with  this  offer,  in  a  spirit 
of  the  most  kindly  conciliation,  lie  invited  them  to  attend  the 
National  Council  at  Philadelphia,  and  in  person,  present  their  griev- 
ances, although  none  of  the  dissenting  members  of  the  insurgent 
states  were  entitled  to  admission  to  the  body;  and  in  his  report  to 
the  body,  earnestly  urged  that  they  be  granted  admission,  if  they 
presented  themselves  at  the  seat  of  the  National  Council. 

Apropos  to  this  generous  spirit  of  the  National  Councilor,  the 
Committee  on  Credentials,  consisting  of  Brothers  Dr.  R.  At  mar 
Smith,  J.  A.  Tarpley  and  Rev.  M.  D.  Lichliter,  submitted  the  fol- 
lowing supplementary  report : 


150  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

"  Your  Committee  on  Credentials  beg  leave  to  report  that  the  follow- 
ing names  of  Representatives  to  the  National  Council  are  from  the  State 
Councils  which,  according  to  our  laws,  are  not  in  good  standing,  but  aa 
they  claim  to  have  grievances  and  wish  to  lay  their  claims  before  the 
National  Council,  the  Supreme  Head  of  the  Order,  we  beg  leave  to  report 
that  we  recommend  their  admission  to  the  National  Council,  realizing  at 
the  same  time  that  their  admission  is  irregular,  yet  in  the  spirit  of  con- 
ciliation, we  recommend  their  admission." 

With  the  exception  of  a  few  from  New  York,  and  they  by  the 
way  were  loyal,  none  of  the  dissenting  members  put  in  appearance, 
but  they  did  send  a  protest  against  the  holding  of  the  session  at 
all,  claiming  that  its  call  was  illegal  and  without  warrant  of  law. 
Amazing  inconsistency !  Having  by  their  own  action,  through  the 
Courts,  declared  that  the  holding  of  the  National  Council  outside 
the  State  of  Pennsylvania  was  illegal,  and  then  when  the  National 
Councilor  did  what  it  was  alleged  came  under  the  corporate  act, 
call  the  National  Council  to  meet  within  the  State  of  Pennsylvania, 
and  to  be  on  the  safe  side,  if  the  opinion  of  the  Court  was  correct, 
in  the  City  of  Philadelphia,  these  same  disturbers,  with  the  intent 
to  destroy  what  they  had  built  up,  protested  against  the  meeting  of 
the  body. 

The  following  general  protest  was  sent  to  the  National  Coun- 
cil, signed  by  all  of  the  disaffected  members,  formerly  members 
of  the  body: 

"  Philadelphia,  Pa.,  June  19,  1900. 

"  To    the   Officers   and  Members   of   the   National    Council,   Jr.  0.  U.  A.  M., 
V.  8.  A. 

"  Dear  Sirs  and  Brothers. — ■ 

"  Whereas,  This  session  of  the  National  Council  of  the  Junior  Order 
United  American  Mechanics,  is  in  our  opinion,  an  illegal  one  in  that  the 
call  for  the  same  is  without  warrant  in  law;  therefore,  be  it 

"  Resolved,  That  all  and  every  one  of  the  States  represented  in  the 
present  fight  against  the  grievances  existing  in  and  emanating  from  the 
said  National  Council  do  hereby  protest  against  the  holding  of  the  said 
session  in  the  City  of  Philadelphia,  in  the  State  of  Pennsylvania,  on  June 
19,  1900,  or  any  other  date  subsequent  thereto. 
"  Yours  fraternally, 
"  Benj.  A.  Fairranks,  H.  F.  Hummer, 

H.  C.  Dennis,  Frank  K.  Muta, 

Wilson  Husk,  William  Giffard, 

F.  H.  Haight,  F.  A.  Long, 

W.  B.  LaRue,  Alrert  J.  Crane, 

W.  B.  Stephens, 
National  Representatives  of  New  Jersey." 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  151 

"  William  H.  Miers,  Frank  H.  Lewis, 

Emmor  Applegarth,  Albert  J.  Smith, 

Robert  Carson,  C.  T.  Fisler, 

John  Tichenor,  Fergus  A.  Dennis, 

F.  G.  Sterling,  L.  L-  Hansell, 

Joseph  L.  Moore,  John  C.  Hayes, 
James  G.  Hayes, 

Past  State  Councilors  of  New  Jersey." 

"  William  H.  Meseroll,  H.  A.    Kibbe, 

William   P.  Hayes, 
Past  National  Councilors  of  New  Jersey." 

"  F.  E.  Parker, 
Past  State  Councilor  of  New  York." 

"  W.  V.  Edkins,  Albert  F.   Lang, 

Gustav  Bacharach,  Joseph  S.  Rice, 

Charles  T.  Preston,  Joseph  E.  Menges, 

T.  H.  Baird  Patterson,  A.  E.  Pickering, 

Wilmer  Crow, 
National  Representatives  of  Pennsylvania." 

"  H.  J.  Deily,  William  T.  Kerk. 

Robert  W.  Crane,  H.  Wells  Buser, 

C.  N.  Raymond, 

Past  State  Councilors  of  Pennsylvania." 

"  Evan  G.  Badger,  W.  R.  Stroh, 

Past  National  Councilors  of  Pennsylvania." 

"E.  C.  Garrison,  A.  L.  Bradley, 

W.  D.  Hill, 
National  Representatives  of  Virginia." 

"  E.  T.  Keeton,  Davis  Bottom, 

Thomas  B.  Ivey, 
Past  State  Councilors  of  Virginia." 

"  C.  W.  Tyler, 
Past  National  Councilor  of  Virginia." 

"  Thomas  S.  Sergeon,  J-  E.  Bromwell, 

C.  M.  Bigelow,  William  L.   Boyden, 

National  Representatives  of  District  of  Columbia." 

"  J.  Harry  Cunningham,  John  D.  Schofield,  Jr., 

Frank  S.  Neikirk, 
Past  State  Councilors  of  District  of  Columbia." 

Along  with  the  protests  also  came  the  list  of  grievances,  and 
as  a  sample  we  insert  one  in  this  connection : 


152  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

"  Philadelphia,  Pa.,  June  19,  1900. 

"  To    the   Officers  and   Members   of   the    National   Council,   Jr.  0.  U.  A.  SI., 

0.  S.  A. 

"  At  a  meeting  of  '  The  Past  Councilors'  and  Active  Workers'  Asso- 
ciation,' of  the  Junior  Order  United  American  Mechancs,  of  the  eastern 
district  of  Pennsylvania,  held  Tuesday,  June  12,  1900,  the  following 
preamble  and  resolution  was  adopted: 

"  Whereas,  The  action  of  the  National  Council  of  the  Junior  Order 
United  American  Mechanics  for  some  years  past  has  resulted  in  the  enact- 
ment, from  time  to  time,  of  laws,  burdens  on  various  State  and  Subordinate 
Councils  of  the  Order,  resulting  in  a  code  of  laws  being  adopted  at  a 
session  of  the  National  Council  held  at  Minneapolis,  Minn.,  June,  1899, 
so  inequitable  and  so  un-American  that  the  majority  of  the  Representa- 
tives to  the  State  Council  of  Pennsylvania,  in  annual  session  assembled, 
protesting  against  the  ratification  of  said  laws  deemed  it  their  duty  to 
refrain  from  voting  a  per  capita  tax  for  the  uses  of  the  said  National 
Council,  resulting  by  arbitrary  action  of  the  National  Councilor,  in  the 
suspension  of  the  said  State  Council  of  Pennsylvania  from  performing  its 
usual  functions,  which  action  has  resulted  in  the  serious  impairment. of 
the  Order  in  the  State  of  Pennsylvania;  and, 

"  Whereas,  It  has  become  apparent  that  if  the  Order  is  to  regain  the 
high  standard  and  lofty  position  it  had  attained  through  years  of  unsel- 
fish labor  for  the  upbuilding  of  American  principles  that  radical  changes 
must  be  made  in  the  laws  of  the  Organization;  therefore,  be  it 

"  Resolved,  That  this  Association  renewing  its  pledges  of  '  Love  of 
Liberty '  and  '  Regard  for  our  Order,'  and  as  forcibly  protesting  against 
the  '  Enslavement  of  mankind '  by  unjust  rule  and  power,  respectfully 
petition  the  National  Council  to  redress  our  grievances,  and  to  so  amend 
•the  laws  as  to  conform  to  'Equity  and  Justice,'  to  wit: 

"  First — Bo  enact,  That  all  laws  adopted  at  the  Minneapolis  session 
and  all  acts  growing  out  of  same,  shall  be  absolutely  abolished. 

"  Second — So  enact,  That  the  laws  in  force  prior  to  June,  1899,  shall 
be  so  amended  as  to  conform  to  the  demands  of  present  conditions,  among 
others — So  enact,  That  all  States  shall  have  just  and  equitable  represen- 
tation in  the  National  Council,  based  on  actual  membership  and  per  capita 
taxation. 

"  Third — So  enact,  That  none  but  duly  elected  and  accredited  Repre- 
sentatives can  at  any  time  serve  on  any  committee  of  the  National  Council. 

"  Fourth — So  enact,  That  the  positions  of  National  Secretary  and 
State  Secretary  shall  become  entirely  separate  and  distinct,  and  at  no 
time  shall  these  offices  be  filled  by  one  and  the  same  person  at  the  same  time. 

"  Fifth — So  enact,  As  to  abolish  the  positions  of  National  Organizer 
and  Special  Organizer. 

"  Sixth — So  enact,  As  to  abolish  salary  to  Secretary  of  National 
Legislative  Committee. 

"  Seventh — So  enact,  As  to  abolish  all  appropriations  to  any  and  all 
periodicals  and  publications. 

"  Eighth — So  enact,  That  at  all  times  the  per  capita  tax  shall  be  as 
low,  as  is  equitable,  to  an  economical  administration  of  the  affairs  of 
the  Order. 

"  Ninth — So  enact,  That  the  National  Council  shall  at  all  times  be 
purely  a  representative  body  and  of  limited  powers. 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  153 

"  Tenth — So  enact,  As  to  abolish  all  unnecessary  committees  of  the 
National  Council. 

"  Eleventh — Favorable  action  on  all  of  above  seems,  to  this  body,  to 
be  absolutely  necessary  if  the  betterment  of  condition  of  the  Order  is 
deemed,  on  your  part,  as  desirable. 

"  There  are  other  matters  of  importance,  which  we  trust  will  receive 
your  consideration,  to  specify  we  would  suggest  that  all  charges  pending 
against  individual  members  of  the  Order,  growing  out  of  the  existing 
differences  should  at  once  be  withdrawn,  as  another  instance,  we  would 
respectfully  suggest  that  care  should  be  used  in  construction  of  Subor- 
dinate Councils  password,  in  order  that  same  should  not  be  misconstrued 
as  intended  to  be,  to  say  the  least,  suggestive. 

"  Yours  in  V.,  L.  and  P., 

"  Edward  Wilson,  "  President." 

As  to  the  business  proper  of  this  session,  that  appears  else- 
where; suffice  it  to  say,  that  the  writer  attended  the  session  and 
was  deeply  impressed  with  the  spirit  of  conciliation  and  concession 
manifested  in  the  body.  Everybody  bore  "  olive  branches,"  and 
the  National  Council  unalterably  committed  itself  to  reconciliation 
and  peace.  Every  protest  that  was  read  was  given  due  and  honest 
consideration  and  every  demand  was  granted,  excepting  those  that 
were  manifestly  unreasonable  and  impracticable,  and  as  far  as  the 
dignity  and  honor  of  the  National  Council  would  allow,  everything 
that  could  be  done  was  accomplished.  Yet,  as  the  sequel  shows, 
all  the  remedial  legislation  and  generous  extension  of  the  "  olive 
branch  "  to  the  offended  brethren  went  for  naught. 

THE   SECESSION   IN   PENNSYLVANIA 

As  stated  above,  Judge  Weiss  in  the  opinion  filed  with  his 
decree,  affirmed  the  averment  of  Derry  Council  that  the  Minne- 
apolis session  of  the  National  Body  was  illegal  because  held  outside 
the  State  of  Pennsylvania,  but  at  the  same  time  clearly  intimated 
that  the  only  course  for  the  National  Council  to  pursue  was  to  meet 
in  Philadelphia  and  ratify  former  legislation.  This  had  been  done. 
As  referred  to  above,  the  National  Council  followed  the  decision 
of  the  Dauphin  county  court,  met  in  Philadelphia,  ratified  all  for- 
mer legislation,  especially  that  enacted  at  Minneapolis,  and  no  mat- 
ter what  would  be  the  final  decision  in  the  Supreme  Court,  to  which 
tribunal  an  appeal  from  Judge  Weiss'  decision  had  been  taken,  the 
legality  of  the  Philadelphia  session  could  not  be  questioned. 

With  a  sense  of  shame  and  humiliation  we  approach  one  of  the 
most  disgraceful  scenes  witnessed  during  the  conspiracy,  exhibiting 
some  of  the  lowest  and  most  disreputable  tactics  possible,  a  fitting 
culmination  to  an  unfortunate  controversy,  the  insurgent's  special 


154  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

session  of  the  State  Council  of  Pennsylvania  at  Lancaster.  The 
call  for  a  special  session  of  the  State  Council  had  been  made  by 
fifty  councils  and  the  summons  had  been  borne  in  person  to  the 
State  Councilor  by  P.  N.  Councilor  Evan  G.  Badger,  one  of  the 
leaders  of  the  insurgent  forces.  The  demand  was  honored  and 
June  26,  1900,  was  the  time  set  for  the  special  or  adjourned  ses- 
sion. The  Credential  Committee  was  authorized  to  accept  all  cre- 
dentials, if  properly  made  out,  and  give  the  Eepresentatives  the 
password  irrespective  of  whether  the  council  had  paid  the  per 
capita  tax  or  not. 

Now  comes  one  of  the  dishonorable  acts  on  the  part  of  the 
insurgents.  A  deputy  sheriff  of  Dauphin  county,  at  the  suggestion 
of  the  insurgent  leaders,  put  in  appearance  and  met  the  State 
Council  officers  and  proceeded  to  serve  upon  each  a  writ  ordering 
them  to  appear  at  court  in  Dauphin  county  at  10  a.m.  the  next  day 
to  show  cause  why  they  should  not  be  held  in  contempt  of  court. 
It  was  apparent  at  first  glance  that  it  was  a  disreputable  trick  to 
get  the  State  Council  officers  away  from  the  City  of  Lancaster  on 
the  day  and  at  the  very  hour  that  had  been  set  for  the  special 
session,  in  order  to  capture  the  State  Body  and  conduct  the  business 
at  their  "  own  sweet  will."  By  this  despicable  procedure  the  loyal 
State  officers  were  placed  between  "  two  horns  of  a  dilemma." 
Loyalty  to  the  National  Council  demanded  of  them  the  enforcement 
of  the  Supreme  law,  and  failure  to  appear  at  the  Dauphin  county 
court  would  subject  them  to  contempt  of  court,  and  possibly,  place 
them  behind  prison  bars.  Legal  advice  was  sought  and  it  was  de- 
cided to  postpone  the  special  session  in  order  to  appear  at  court, 
and  the  following  notice  was  posted  upon  the  door  of  the  hall  where 
the  meeting  was  to  have  taken  place: 

"  On  June  25,  at  the  instance  of  Derry  Council,  No.  40,  Jr.  0.  U.  A.  M., 
by  its  trustees,  H.  Wells  Buser,  George  Spidle  and  William  Carmany, 
process  was  issued  from  the  court  of  Dauphin  county,  summoning  the 
State  Officers  and  the  State  Secretary  to  appear  in  their  proper  persons 
before  the  said  court  in  Harrisburg,  on  Tuesday,  June  26,  1900,  at  10  a.m. 

"  Therefore,  we,  the  Board  of  Officers,  find  it  necessary  and  do  hereby 
postpone  the  special  session  of  the  State  Council  Jr.  O.  U.  A.  M.,  called 
for  June  26,  1900,  until  September  17,  1900,  at  Philadelphia,  at  10  a.m." 

The  notice  was  signed  by  George  B.  Bowers,  State  Councilor; 
Charles  S.  Crall,  State  Vice-Councilor;  M.  P.  Dickeson,  Junior 
Past  State  Councilor,  and  Edw.  S.  Deemer,  State  Council  Secretary. 

There  were  at  least  two  hundred  Eepresentatives  in  attendance 
from  Councils  that  had  not  honored  the  demand  of  the  State  Coun- 
cils officers  by  payment  of  the  National  Council  per  capita  tax 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  155 

wearing  badges  with  the  word  "  Insurgent "  printed  in  large  letters 
thereon,  which  distinction  the}'  seemed  proud  to  own.  At  the  time 
set  for  the  meeting  of  the  State  Body,  a  motley  crowd  gathered  be- 
fore the  hall  where  the  meeting  had  been  called,  and  seeing  the 
notice  on  the  door,  James  W.  McCleary,  of  the  insurgent  body,  read 
in  a  very  loud  voice  said  notice,  declaring  that  their  faction  had 
nothing  to  do  in  citing  the  Board  of  Officers  to  appear  at  Harris- 
burg.  This  statement,  of  course,  no  loyalist  credited.  A  "  curb- 
stone "  convention  was  organized  with  the  selection  of  D.  G-.  Evans 
as  its  presiding  officer,  whereupon  the  insurgent  body  adjourned  to 
their  previously  arranged  place  of  meeting  where  the  session  was 
continued  and  concluded. 

Among  the  first  enactments  of  the  rump  body  was  the  prefer- 
ring of  charges  against  the  regular  State  Council  officers  for 
"  Violating  the  trust  of  the  members  of  this  State  in  misrepresent- 
ing the  State  Council  and  committing  it  to  long  and  expensive  liti- 
gation in  collusion  with  the  National  officers,  in  an  effort  to  intimi- 
date and  coerce  the  Subordinate  Councils  in  Pennsylvania."  Yet, 
as  every  intelligent  member  knows,  it  was  the  insurgents  that  cited 
the  State  Council  before  the  Courts,  and  were  and  have  been  since, 
the  cause  of  the  great  expense  entailed  upon  the  Councils  of  the 
Order.  It  is  unnecessary  to  state  that  the  State  officers  were  not 
disturbed  by  this  citation  as  they  gave  no  attention  to  it. 

An  amusing  "  stage  play  "  took  place  directly  after  the  organ- 
ization of  the  "  rump  convention  "  which  indicated  that  every  move 
made  by  the  insurgents  was  "  cut  and  dried  "  before  the  meeting, 
when,  with  a  show  of  great  importance,  there  was  presented  to  the 
body  a  charier  under  which  they  were  to  transact  business.  This 
charter,  the  gullible  Representatives  were  informed,  was  a  certified 
copy  of  the  original  charter  taken  from  the  records  at  Harrisburg; 
and  strange  to  say  many  of  the  Representatives  thought  they  were 
doing  business  legally,  when,  as  any  one  knows,  for  $2.50  a  certi- 
fied copy  of  any  charter  ever  issued  can  be  procured.  This  was 
but  a  sample  of  many  things  done  in  the  attempt  to  delude  their 
followers. 

These  sticklers  for  economy  presented  an  amendment  to  the 
law  to  pay  all  Representatives  four  cents  a  mile  and  $2.00  a  day, 
which  it  was  decided  must  lay  over  until  the  next  "  rump  conven- 
tion." The  amendment  only  meant  25  cents  additional  per  capita 
tax  to  meet  an  estimated  cost  of  $18,000  annually.  The  following 
resolution  almost  unanimously  adopted  was  a  fitting  climax  to  the 
proceedings. 


156  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

.  .  .  "  Be  it  hereby  Resolved,  That  the  State  Council  of  Pennsyl- 
vania, Jr.  0.  U.  A.  M.,  severs  all  relation,  connection  and  affiliation  of 
whatsoever  nature  or  hind  now  or  heretofore  existing  by  and  between  it 
and  the  National  Council,  Jr.  0.  U.  A.  H.,  of  the  United  States  of  America, 
to  take  effect  immediately  upon  the  passage  of  this  resolution  and  that 
the  State  Council  Secretary  be  instructed  to  notify  the  said  National 
Council  of  said  action." 

Thus  the  second  act  in  the  tragedy  of  the  "  Crossing  of  the 
Centuries  "  took  place ;  one  more  act  yet  to  come,  and  then  the 
"  curtain  falls/'  so  far  as  Pennsylvania  is  concerned,  and  the  organ- 
ization that  kept  legislators  upon  the  anxious  seat,  that  brought 
Governors  face  to  face  with  patriotic  sentiment  and  aroused  a 
sluggish  Congress  to  action,  was  rent  in  twain  and  became  a  by- 
word in  the  family  of  secret  fraternities. 

Having  severed  their  connection  with  the  National  Council, 
as  they  supposed,  by  their  resolution  of  secession,  and  acting  under 
the  laws  of  the  State  Council  they  claimed  to  govern,  having  elected 
and  installed  their  State  officers,  they  proceeded  to  "  rule  "  and 
"  govern "  the  same.  Notwithstanding  their  action  in  severing 
all  connection  with  the  National  Body,  yet  they  did  a  despicable 
thing  by  sending  broadcast  the  National  Council  password  indis- 
criminately, regardless  whether  Councils  had  paid  their  per  capita 
tax  or  not;  and  worse  still,  the  password  was  stuck  between  the 
leaves  of  the  proceedings  of  their  "  rump  convention  "  and  mailed 
as  third  class  matter. 

In  due  time  the  hearing  before  the  Dauphin  county  court  of 
the  State  officers  for  contempt  was  held  and  the  rule  dismissed, 
but  the  costs  were  placed  upon  the  State  Council.  In  an  official 
communication  to  the  Subordinate  Councils  of  the  state,  following 
the  Lancaster  fiasco,  the  loyal  State  officers  had,  in  part,  this  to 
say: 

"  Disunion  and  disorder  has  been  their  password  and  guiding  star. 
The  first  act  directed  by  them  at  that  gathering  was  a  resolution  of  seces- 
sion. The  motion  that  passed,  at  least  the  entire  subsequent  proceedings 
became  as  of  an  outside,  alien  and  independent  body,  and  the  property, 
objects,  franchises,  paraphernalia,  assets,  and  name  of  the  Order  reverted 
to  those  who  keep  in  line  with  the  true  intent  and  purposes  of  the  charter 
and  objects  of  the  Order,  and  the  powers  and  decrees  of  the  courts  of  the 
State  will  be  invoked,  if  necessary,  to  enforce  those  rights  in  the  interest 
of  the  Order. 

"  The  mere  will  of  a  majority  could  no  more  change  the  original 
purposes  than  if  that  same  majority  had  divided  the  funds  of  the  Order 
among  themselves.  Majorities  must  ever  respect  the  fundamental  law 
which  brings  into  being  the  Order  itself;  and  when  they  depart  from  that, 
they  cease  to  represent  the  Order,  and  be  binding  upon  it.  The  same  men 
who  boast  of  the  powers  of  the  State  Council,  deny  that  power  in  the 
National  Council,  thus  proving  the  falsity  of  their  argument  and  faith." 


CHAPTER    XI 

THE    CONFLICT    AT    THE    CROSSING   OF 
THE    CENTURIES    (Continued) 

Pennsylvania   ( Concluded ) 

IT  may  appear  to  the  members  of  the  Order  without  the  juris- 
diction of  Pennsylvania,  that  too  much  space  is  being  given 
this  subject  so  far  as  the  above  named  state  is  concerned.  This 
apparent  criticism,  however,  dissolves  when  it  is  considered  that  the 
arena  in  the  great  struggle  was  Pennsylvania.  Here  the  prelim- 
inary steps  were  taken  in  actual  rebellion ;  here  first  the  courts  were 
resorted  to  in  the  attempt  to  disrupt  and  destroy. 

Then  again,  more  prominence  is  given  Pennsylvania  in  the 
strife  from  the  fact  that  here  in  the  Supreme  Court  of  the  Com- 
monwealth was  decided  the  life  and  perpetuity  of  the  Order  itself, 
not  only  for  Pennsylvania,  but  for  the  entire  galaxy  of  Common- 
wealths. Here  was  the  battlefield  where  the  insurrection  reached 
"high-water  mark,"  from  thence  to  go  down  to  ignominious 
defeat. 

THE   FINAL  PARTING  OF  THE   WAYS 

September  17,  1900,  found  the  State  Council  in  special  ses- 
sion in  the  City  of  Philadelphia.  The  unfinished  business  of  the 
Scranton  session  was  disposed  of,  officers  installed  and  the  ad' 
journed  session  came  to  a  close  in  a  day.  The  seceding  body  of  the 
State  Council  was  not  present  at  this  session,  as  they  claimed  that 
all  the  business  of  said  session  had  been  transacted  at  their  "  rump 
convention "  at  Lancaster.  They  filed  their  usual  protests,  how- 
ever, addressing  the  State  officers  as  "  assuming  to  act,"  etc.,  de- 
claring the  special  call  as  illegal  and  as  an  "usurpation  of  the 
rights,  powers,  privileges  and  franchises  of  the  State  Council  of 
Pennsylvania,"  and  closing  with  the  threat  that  "whoever  take- 
part  therein  does  so  at  his  peril." 

At  the  opening  of  the  regular  session  of  the  State  Council, 
the  day  following,  at  same  place,  the  two  elements  of  the  State 
Council  came  together  with  a  clash.  No  sooner  had  the  State 
Councilor  assumed  his  station  and  called  the  State  Council  to  order, 
that  S.  D.  Woods,  the  insurgent  State  Vice-Councilor,  advanced 
to  the  platform  and  made  the  following  demand : 

i57 


158  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

"  I  demand  my  right  and  privilege  to  perform  my  duty  as  State 
Vice-Councilor  of  the  State  of  Pennsylvania,  .Junior  0.  U.  A.  M.,  and  in 
the  absence  of  the  State  Councilor  to  open  the  session  of  the  State  Council 
of  Pennsylvania,  and  preside  over  the  same." 

Still  under  the  decree  of  the  injunction  of  the  Dauphin 
county  court,  the  Supreme  Court  not  having  rendered  its  decision, 
and  everything  remaining  statu  quo,  the  Kepresentatives  of  both 
loyal  and  insurgent  Councils  were  entitled  to  admission  to  the  State 
Council. 

The  State  Councilor  refused  the  demand  of  Woods  and  pro- 
ceeded to  open  the  session  in  regular  form.  The  insurgents  being 
in  the  majority,  were  prepared  to  push  their  demands  to  the  last 
ditch  and  acted  accordingly.  The  minutes  of  the  Scranton  session 
were  approved,  but  the  minutes  of  the  special  meeting  of  the  day 
previous  were  not  approved ;  whereupon,  on  motion  of  Jas.  W. 
McCreary,  the  minutes  of  the  Lancaster  "  rump  session " 
were  read  and  adopted,  including  the  resolution  of  secession  by 
the  insurgent  majority.  This  high-handed  proceeding  was  the 
third  and  final  act  in  the  drama,  and  the  parting  of  the  ways  be- 
came a  fact  by  the  reading  of  the  following  request  by  Brother 
Perry  A.  Gibson,  of  the  loyal  body : 

"  According  to  the  papers  and  records  offered,  filed  and  adopted  at 
the  State  Council  session,  held  at  Odd  Fellows'  Temple  in  the  City  of 
Philadelphia  on  this  September  18,  1900,  makes  it  manifest  that  two 
State  Councils  of  the  Junior  0.  U.  A.  M.  do  now  exist  in  this  State,  and 
as  but  one  legal  and  loyal  State  Council  can  exist,  therefore  all  those 
members  holding  allegiance  to  the  National  Council,  and  to  save  harm 
to  the  proper  rights,  name  and  franchises  of  the  State  and  National 
Council  of  the  Junior  0.  U.  A.  M.,  do  now  request  all  those  who  do  not 
so  claim  to  withdraw  therefrom,  otherwise  those  claiming  do  hereby 
adjourn  to  another  place  in  this  building  for  the  transaction  of  such 
business  as  may  be  offered,  and  to  finish  the  business  of  the  State  Council." 

The  request  made  for  the  insurgent  element  to  retire  was  re- 
ceived with  jeers  and  cries  of  derision  unworthy  of  men ;  whereupon 
the  State  Councilor  requested  that  the  loyal  body  retire  to  another 
room,  which  was  obeyed,  and  silently,  yet  confidently,  knowing  that 
they  Avere  in  the  right,  the  loyal  minority  passed  out  of  the  hall  to 
the  other  room  in  the  same  building  and  concluded  the  business  of 
the  session  without  further  interruption. 

Both  bodies  transacted  their  business  simultaneously  and  each 
claimed  to  be  the  true  State  Council.  As  an  evidence  that  there 
was  a  desire  for  reconciliation  even  at  this  juncture  of  the  struggle 
upon  the  part  of  the  loyalists,   a  committee  on  arbitration  was 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  159 

appointed  to  confer  with  a  similar  committee  from  the  seceding 
body,  the  joint  committee  to  arrange  a  subsequent  meeting  to  con- 
sider peace  proposals,  or  arrange  an  equitable  adjustment  of  the 
controversy. 

ARBITRATION    SCORNED 

Following  in  their  order  the  various  steps  in  the  great  con- 
troversy, the  meeting  of  the  Arbitration  Committee  of  both  bodies 
of  Pennsylvania  comes  next.  This  joint  meeting  took  place  Sep- 
tember 29,  1900,  and  was  composed  of  ten  persons  from  each  body. 
As  was  the  case  in  every  subsequent  effort  at  arbitration  in  either 
State  or  National  Council,  this  meeting  proved  a  failure,  if  not 
farcical.  As  had  been  arranged,  each  committee  had  its  spokesman  ; 
upon  the  part  of  the  loyalists,  Alex.  M.  DeHaven,  Esq.,  was  selected, 
while  the  insurgent  committee  named  James  M.  Crawford,  Esq. 
These  two  entered  into  a  colloquy,  which,  upon  the  part  of  Brother 
DeHaven,  was  eminently  fair,  honorable  and  conciliatory ;  but  upon 
the  part  of  Crawford  was  entirely  the  opposite. 

In  the  effort  to  arrive  at  some  amicable  adjustment  of  the 
difficulty,  Brother  DeHaven  assumed  that  neither  side  should  waive 
its  right  as  to  which  was  the  legal  body,  but  that  in  the  consider- 
ation of  a  compromise,  the  joint  committee  should  determine  which 
of  the  officers  elected  by  both  bodies  shall  continue  as  the  result  of 
such  compromise,  provided  such  adjustment  could  be  made.  To 
this  suggestion  the  representatives  of  the  insurgent  faction  emphati- 
cally disclaimed  any  compromise  as  they  would  demand  that  the 
officers  of  their  body  shall  be  the  officers  of  the  State  Council,  and 
upon  this  point  they  would  insist.  And  further,  when  that  point 
was  settled,  they  would  insist  that  they  be  given  physical  possession 
of  all  property  belonging  to  the  so-named  loyal  State  Council.  In 
short,  they  demanded  an  unconditional  surrender  of  all  offices, 
property  and  funds  of  the  loyal  State  Council. 

Brother  DeHaven  suggested  that  they  discuss  some  other  ques- 
tions connected  with  the  controversy,  but  Crawford  would  not  agree, 
saying: 

"  Unless  you  agree  to  recognize  our  body  as  the  State  Council  of 
Pennsylvania,  and  agree  to  recognize  our  officers  as  the  legally  elected 
officers  of  the  State  Council  of  Pennsylvania,  toe  will  refuse  to  consider 
any  other  question." 

Brother  DeHaven  then  made  to  the  other  side  the  most  fair  and 
equitable  proposal  that  man  could  make  to  man,  that  to  settle  the 
difference  between  the  two  bodies,  and  therefore  stop  litigation,  they 


160  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

would  agree,  as  the  representatives  of  the  so-called  loyal  faction, 
to  divide  equally  between  the  two  sides  the  offices  of  the  State 
Council. 

This  proposition  was  flatly  and  emphatically  refused,  and  the 
efforts  at  arbitration  had  come  to  an  end. 

THE    STATE   COUNCIL   OF   PENNSYLVANIA   SUSTAINED   BY   THE 
NATIONAL   JUDICIARY 

The  demoralization  that  took  place  in  the  state  in  consequence 
of  two  existing  State  Councils  and  two  sets  of  State  officers,  can 
better  be  imagined  than  described.  Man}7,  of  the  Councils,  having 
taken  a  neutral  position  in  the  controversy,  were  in  a  dilemma 
and  knew  not  which  authority  to  recognize ;  and,  indeed,  some  that 
were  loyal  gave  up  hope  of  an  adjustment  of  the  difficulties  and 
lost  heart.  In  the  meantime  the  insurgents,  by  press  and  tongue, 
hurled  the  vilest  vituperations  upon  both  the  State  and  National 
officers,  sending  broadcast  erroneous  and  grossly  misleading  publi- 
cations and  circulars,  and  making  on  the  floor  of  the  Subordinate 
Councils  the  most  violent  and  incendiary  speeches. 

The  Supreme  Court  of  the  state  having  reversed  the  lower 
tribunal,  thereby  declaring  the  Minneapolis  session  and  its  enact- 
ments, Constitution  and  Laws  legal,  which  will  be  noted  later,  the 
officers  of  the  State  Council  preferred  charges  before  the  National 
Judiciary  against  the  alleged  officers  of  the  disloyal  body,  assuming 
to  be  doing  business  under  the  charter  of  the  organization,  and 
against  certain  other  members  of  said  disloyal  body  for  insub- 
ordination, etc.  A  hearing  was  had  on  the  charges  before  the 
Judiciary,  in  the  City  of  Philadelphia,  December  17,  1900.  The 
plaintiffs,  in  presenting  the  case,  simply  gave  a  statement  of  facts 
relative  to  the  entire  trouble  from  the  Scranton  session  in  1899, 
including  the  special  session  alleged  to  have  been  held  at  Lancaster 
in  June  of  1900,  where  the  resolution  of  secession  was  passed,  to 
the  final  break  at  the  Philadelphia  session  in  September  same  year, 
where  two  bodies  of  the  State  Council  were  put  in  operation. 

The  National  Judiciary  discovered  in  the  case  at  court  two 
distinct  questions:  1.  The  title  to  the  offices  of  and  the  legality  of 
the  two  contending  bodies,  each  claiming  to  be  the  State  Council 
of  Pennsylvania.  2.  The  guilt  or  innocence  of  a  number  of  the 
defendants  as  per  the  following  Charge  (No.  2)  with  specifications 
attached : 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  161 

CHARGES 

1.  "That  the  said  defendants,  jointly  and  severally,  have  disputed 
and  contested  the  authority  of  the  National  Council  and  its  officers,  con- 
stitution and  laws,  by  resorting  to  the  civil  courts  of  the  land  for  the 
redressing  of  alleged  grievances  growing  out  of  membership  in  the 
Order,  without  exhausting  the  remedies  in  the  tribunals  of  the  Order, 
and  have,  by  publication  and.  circulars  inimical  to  the  welfare  and  per- 
petuity thereof,  endeavored  to  disrupt  the  Order  and  to  bring  it  into 
ridicule  and  contempt. 

2.  "  That  the  said  defendants  have,  on  divers  occasions,  commencing 
in  the  year  1899,  and  thence  hitherto  and  up  to  the  present  time,  in 
conjunction  with  other  persons,  violated  their  obligations  to  and  in  the 
Order,  and  have  been  guilty  of  offenses  against  the  Order  as  follows: 

SPECIFICATIONS 

"(a)  By  neglecting  and  refusing  to  obey  the  Supreme  Law  of  the 
Order,  the  constitution,  and  the  law  of  the  State  Council ; 

"(b)  By  endeavoring  to  disrupt  the  Order  by  the  passage  of  a 
resolution  of  secession  at  the  so-called  session  held  at  Lancaster  on  June 
26,  1900; 

"(c)  By  refusing  to  recognize  and  obey  the  said  proclamation  of 
Charles  F.  Reeves,  the  National  Councilor,  under  date  of  October  15, 
1900,  a  copy  of  which  is  hereunto  attached  and  marked  '  Exhibit  B,'  as 
aforesaid ; 

"(d)  By  the  publication  and  spreading  of  various  newspapers,  peri- 
odicals and  circulars  among  the  members  of  the  Order,  in  the  attempt 
to  bring  discredit  upon  the  Order,  and  to  bring  the  National  Council 
thereof  into  disrepute,  a  copy  of  one  of  the  said  circulars  is  hereunto 
attached,  and  marked  '  Exhibit  C ;  ' 

"(e)  The  said  Pike,  Woods,  Heckman,  Mench  and  Badger  by  holding 
themselves  out  to  be  the  officers  of  the  State  Council  of  Pennsylvania. 

"(f)  By  making  certain  incendiary  addresses  and  remarks  in  the 
various  gatherings  and  also  in  the  Subordinate  Councils  of  the  state, 
particularly  in  the  City  of  Scranton,  on  or  about  September  18  and  19, 
1899,  and  the  City  of  Lancaster,  on  or  about  June  25  and  26,  1900,  and 
in  Philadelphia,  on  or  about  September  17,  18  and  19,  1900;  and  at  divers 
other  places  within  the  State  of  Pennsylvania. 

"  That  the  said  defendants,  particularly  the  said  Charles  N.  Ray- 
mond, James  W.  McCleary,  William  T.  Kerr,  Edward  Wilson,  James  M. 
Crawford,  C.  A.  Westerman,  William  Gundaker,  John  King,  S.  R.  Kepner. 
W.  A.  Reese,  Henry  Markus,  H.  Wells  Buser,  Wilmer  Crow  and  Harry  B. 
Finch,  have  attempted  the  nullification  of  the  authority  of  the  National 
Council  and  its  officers  to  properly  manage  and  control  the  said  Order, 
and  have  brought  insubordination  and  rebellion  within  the  same,  and  have 
incited  Councils  and  members  of  the  Order  to  commit  the  same  and  similar 
offenses." 

Relative  to  the  status  of  the  two  contending  bodies,  the  Court 
rendered  its  opinion  and  issued  its  decree  on  the  19th  following  the 
hearing,  declaring  the  body  commonly  known  as  the  "  loyal  organ- 
ization "  as  the  legal  State  Council  and  its  officers  as  duly  elected 


162  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

and  installed  and  legally  authorized  to  administer  the  laws  of  said 
body,  and  decreed  that  the  officers  of  the  insurgent  body  be  "  en- 
joined and  forbidden  from  assuming  or  attempting  to  exercise  the 
functions,  discharge  the  duties  or  enjoy  the  prerogatives  of  or  per- 
taining to  the  said  offices." 

PENNSYLVANIA  PURGED 

When  the  second  charge  was  taken  up  there  was  a  determined 
resistance  upon  the  part  of  the  defendants.  The  question  of  juris- 
diction was  raised  at  the  opening  of  the  case,  the  defendants  aver- 
ring that  the  State  Judiciary  not  the  National  should  hear  the  case. 
This  objection  was  met  by  the  Court  in  its  opinions,  holding  that 
at  the  time  the  suit  was  ordered  there  was  no  State  Judiciary; 
and  if  it  had  been  organized,  it  could  not  have  tried  the  question 
of  its  own  status.  The  Court  also  declared  that  the  case  being 
one  that  involved  violations  of  the  Supreme  Law  of  the  Order,  that 
it  conferred  upon  the  National  Judiciary  the  discretion  of  taking 
original  jurisdiction. 

The  contention  of  the  counsel  for  the  defendants  was  based 
on  a  clause  in  the  National  Constitution :  "  The  National  Judiciary 
shall  have  original  and  appellate  but  not  exclusive  jurisdiction," 
etc.  The  Court,  however,  made  it  clear  that  the  National  Judiciary 
was  the  proper  tribunal,  and  the  trial  proceeded. 

Charge  1.  The  opinion  of  the  Court  relative  to  this  allega- 
tion was,  that  at  the  time  the  suit  of  Derry  Council  was  brought,  the 
only  instance  where  the  means  within  the  Order  were  not  exhausted, 
the  law  forbade  a  member  from  resorting  to  the  civil  courts  to  seek 
redress  for  alleged  grievances;  but  no  provision  of  the  law  existed 
at  the  time  making  it  an  offense  for  a  body  to  so  do,  hence  the 
charge  was  dismissed. 

Charge  2.  Specification  (a)  being  too  broad  in  its  scope  and 
uncertain  in  its  character,  was  dismissed. 

Specification  (b)  was  considered  a  more  serious  question  with 
the  Court.  Some  of  the  defendants  admitted  signing  the  resolu- 
tion of  secession;  others  offered  no  objection  to  the  genuineness  of 
the  printed  signatures,  while  two  of  the  accused  declined  to  admit 
the  authenticity  of  the  signatures  because  of  the  absence  of  the 
original  copy.  A  demand  was  made  by  the  plaintiffs  upon  the 
alleged  Secretary  of  the  insurgent  body  for  the  document,  which 
was  declined.  There  was  no  doubt  of  the  guilt  of  ten  of  the  de- 
fendants on  this  count  since  they  admitted  the  fact;  but  the  two 
who  declined  to  admit,  in  the  absence  of  the  original  copy,  the 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  163 

authenticity  of  their  signatures,  there  was  a  question  for  considera- 
tion. The  Court,  however,  was  ahle  to  arrive  at  a  conclusion,  which 
opinion  not  only  affected  this  but  other  specifications  in  the  bill  of 
complaint.     The  opinion  of  the  Court  on  this  point  was  as  follows : 

"  We  conclude,  therefore,  that  defendants  Wilson  and  Westerman 
were,  by  existing  circumstances,  put  to  denial  of  signature  and  proof  of 
same.  Failing  to  meet  the  issue,  they  must  be  held  to  have  signed  the 
instrument.  We  have  no  hesitation  in  declaring  the  proper  rule  in  the 
Order's  law  in  this  and  similar  cases  to  be  that  the  admission  in  evidence 
of  a  properly  authenticated  official  or  an  alleged  official  printed  document, 
carries  with  it  the  printed  signatures  thereto,  and  puts  one  who  would 
deny  the  genuineness  thereof,  to  the  proof. 

"  The  reasoning  and  rule  thus  applied  to  the  resolution  of  secession 
is  likewise  applicable  to  the  printed  circulars,  proclamations  and  other 
documents  in  evidence  in  this  case." 

Relative  to  the  resolution  of  secession  itself,  the  Court  had  this 
to  say: 

"  We  now  pass  to  the  consideration  of  the  meaning,  character,  and 
effect  upon  the  defendants  signing  it,  of  the  resolution  itself.  The  signing 
and  introduction  of  this  resolution  was  an  act  done  with  an  obvious  pur- 
pose. Those  defendants  who  signed  and  introduced  the  resolution,  pre- 
sumptively gave  heed  to  its  every  word,  line  and  phrase;  considered  its 
purpose,  weighed  the  result.  We  must  believe  that  the  signers  intended 
to  accomplish  just  what  the  resolution  purported  to  do.  Of  this  purpose 
the  language  of  the  resolution  itself  leaves  no  doubt.  The  act,  gauged 
by  the  intention  behind  it,  cannot  be  construed  into  obedience  of  supreme 
law;  cannot  be  construed  into  anything  but  an  intended  refusal  to  obey, 
not  only  one  of  the  supreme  laws,  but  every  supreme  law;  cannot  be  con- 
strued into  anything  else  than  an  act  of  insubordination." 

The  contention  of  the  attorneys  of  the  defendants  relative  to 
this  act  of  rebellion,  indicates  not  only  bad  taste  and  lack  of  pro- 
fessional dignity,  but  that  they  and  their  clients  were  heartily 
ashamed  of  the  despicable  procedure  at  Lancaster.  We  simply  note 
the  feAv  points  of  their  defense :  It  was  urged  by  one  of  the  counsel 
that  the  session  at  Lancaster  was  a  "special  session "  called  for 
special  objects,  and  that  the  one  relating  to  the  resolution  of  seces- 
sion was  not  one  of  the  objects  in  the  call,  hence  the  resolution  was 
"  illegal  and  nugatory."  The  weakness  of  such  an  argument  is 
apparent  to  one  not  even  a  lawyer. 

Another  of  the  counsel  for  defendants  contended :  "  Nor  was 
it  an  expression  of  hostility  to  the  National  Council.  It  was  simply 
a  protest  against  the  illegal  act  of  the  National  Council,  etc."  To 
characterize  a  resolution  of  rebellion  as  a  protest  was  certainly  a 
"  joke "  the  learned  gentleman  was  trying  to  "  crack "  at  the 
expense  of  the  Court. 


164  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

The  next  argument  (?)  in  the  contention  of  another  of  the 
counsel,  even  more  than  the  others,  was  pitiable  if  not  humorous. 
The  Court  was  moved  to  say :  "  It  remains  to  still  another  of  the 
counsel  for  defendants  in  his  argument  in  their  behalf,  to  out- 
Herod  Herod."It  was  this  outburst  of  legal  ability  that  moved  even 
the  solemn  and  dignified  Court  to  turn  away  with  a  smile: 

"  There  is  no  law  preventing  a  man  from  introducing  a  resolution 
of  withdrawal  from  the  National  Council.  The  charge  contained  in 
paragraph  (b)  goes  to  the  good  faith  of  him  or  them  who  introduce  such 
resolution.  Any  man,  actuated  by  a  desire  to  do  that  which  is  for  the  good 
of  the  Order,  who  introduces  a  resolution  like  that  referred  to,  does  so 
in  good  faith,  and  cannot  be  charged  with  an  attempt  to  disrupt  the 
Order.  '  Disrupting '  the  Order  implies  bad  faith  or  sinister  motives,  and 
the  burden  of  proof  is  upon  complainants  to  show  that  Edward  Wilson 
was  prompted  in  being  one  of  the  signers  to  the  resolution  by  such  bad 
faith  or  sinister  motives." 

It  is  not  strange  that  the  Court  was  constrained  to  depart 
from  its  usual  decorum  on  the  presentation  of  such  a  plea,  and 
say: 

"  It  is  at  all  times  our  intention  to  clothe  with  dignity,  and  treat 
with  courtesy,  arguments  of  counsel.  In  this  case  it  is  not  easy  to  do 
so.  That  the  question  of  good  faith  with  respect  to  the  signing  and 
introduction  of  a  resolution,  the  very  essence  of  which  is  to  destroy  every 
tie  that  knits  together  the  component  parts  of  an  organism,  which,  being 
joined  together,  constitute  '  The  Order,'  should  be  raised  by  counsel  as  a 
matter  of  proper  defense,  cannot  but  create  a  doubt  in  our  mind  as  to 
the  good  faith  of  him  raising  it." 

As  for  six  of  the  defendants,  this  specification  was  dismissed. 

Specification  (c)  was  passed  by  the  Court  with  a  brief  opinion, 
holding  that  "  unquestionably  "  the  "  proclamation  of  the  National 
Councilor  was  founded  upon  and  proclaimed  correct  views  as  to 
the  true  status  of  the  contending  bodies."  However,  the  specifica- 
tion was  dismissed,  the  Court  basing  its  opinion  upon  the  fact  that 
there  being  an  apparent  willingness  on  the  part  of  the  rival  body 
set  up  to  adjudicate  the  rival  claims,  to  adjudge  them  guilty  would 
be  "repugnant  to  the  scheme  of  government  of  our  Order." 

Specification  (d)  was  not  contested  to  a  very  great  extent  by 
the  defendants,  but  in  a  lengthy  and  most  careful  opinion,  the 
Court  presented  the  facts  and  exposed  the  culpability  of  the  men 
who,  out  of  malice  prepense,  endeavored  to  disrupt  the  Order.  The 
provision  of  the  law  relied  upon  by  the  complainants  for  the  con- 
viction of  the  defendants,  is  as  follows : 

"  Any  member  of  the  Order  who  shall  .  .  .  publicly  attack  or 
scandalize   the   National    Council,    the   National    Judiciary,    ...    or    the 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  165 

members  of  any  of  these  bodies,  shall  be  guilty  of  an  offense  against  the 
Order,  and  upon  a  trial  and  conviction,  may  be  reprimanded,  suspended 
indefinitely,  or  be  expelled  from  the  Order." 

It  may  be  interesting  to  the  Order  at  this  day  to  have  a  sample 
of  the  scurrillous  stuff  that  was  published  by  the  insurgent 
"  sheets  "  upon  which,  in  part,  was  based  the  specification.  Here 
are  a  few: 

"  This  activity  on  the  part  of  our  Councils  and  members  is  a  most 
hopeful  sign  for  the  '  324,'  who  are  contending  for  justice  and  fair  treat 
ment  against  the  arrogant,  despotic  high-handed  work  of  the  National 
Council. 

"  The  proceedings  at  Minneapolis  ( the  National  Council ) ,  were 
simply  the  end  of  a  long  train  of  abuses  and  usurpations,  having  for  their 
object  the  reduction  of  the  Eastern  States  under  absolute  despotism,  and 
the  foisting  of  an  office  holding  oligarchy  upon  our  Order. 

"  It  makes  little  difference  whether  the  National  Council  restores  or 
revokes  its  paper  charter;  we  can  live  without  that  body  and  save  money. 
.  .  .  Let  us  stand  resolutely  opposed  to  the  tyrannies,  infamies  and  out- 
rages of  the  National  Council." 

In  another  article  occurs  the  following  characterization  of  the 
N  ational  Judiciary  in  session,  printed  in  glaring  headlines : 

"  A  gigantic  farce.  A  burlesque  of  justice.  A  comedy  on  legal 
proceedings.  The  National  Council  Judiciary  goes  through  the  form  of 
hearing  the  case  of  Charles  Keimer,  National  Councilor,  vs.  the  State 
Council  of  Pennsylvania." 

In  an  editorial  the  following  occurs : 

"  And  when  this  fact  dawned  upon  the  national  administration  they 
immediately  set  out  to  stifle  and  choke  to  death  the  will  of  the  assembled 
representatives,  and  hatched  up  the  conspiracy  that  ended  in  the  farcical 
presentation  of  charges  of  insubordination." 

Another  assault  was  made  upon  the  National  Judiciary  in  the 
following  terms : 

"  Probably  our  view  of  this  method  of  determining  disputed  ques- 
tions, ...  or  alleged  violation  of  law,  is  somewhat  jaundiced,  but  if 
so,  it  is  no  doubt  due  to  an  exhibition  given  by  the  National  Judiciary  in 
Philadelphia  when  they  affected  to  try  the  State  Council  of  Pennsylvania 
on  charges  preferred  by  the  National  Council.  We  pray  there  may  never 
be  such  another  exhibition  in  our  Order  as  occurred  there,  and  we  don't 
desire  to  be  mean  or  sarcastic  either,  when  we  assert  that  for  an  all-'round 
exhibition  of  cant,  hypocrisy,  dignified  jugglery  and  farcical  results  this 
alleged  court  takes  the  prize." 

A  fear  that  we  shall  be  charged  with  being  prolix,  compels 
us  to  desist  giving  a  resume  of  the  exhaustive  opinion  of  the 
National   Judiciary    rendered    upon    this    count   of    the   charges. 


166  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

But  suffice  it  to  say,  it  was  given  in  terse  and  unmistakable  terms 
denouncing  the  odious  methods  employed  to  scandalize  the  National 
Council  and  its  officers.  The  absurdities  of  their  claims  was  shown 
and  the  characterization  of  the  "  ways  and  means  committee  "  was 
the  climax  of  an  opinion  that  scarcely  finds  a  parallel  in  the  courts 
of  law.    It  was  as  follows: 

"  This  committee,  in  its  personnel,  were  not  only  representatives  of 
those  in  rebellion,  but  in  a  marked  degree  were  leaders  in  a  movement  to 
coerce,  cripple  or  destroy  the  National  Council,  and  thus  disrupt  the  Order. 
There  is  no  defense  that  can  be  advanced  in  their  behalf,  and  at  the  trial 
none  was  seriously  attempted.  Conceding  the  existence  of  grievances  of 
the  most  grievous  sort,  the  absurd,  short-sighted,  malicious  and  destructive 
method  adopted  to  right  them,  deprived  the  effort  of  any  virtue  that  it 
might  otherwise  have  possessed,  and  put  those  making  it  beyond  the  pale 
of  consideration." 

After  dismissing  the  remainder  of  the  specifications,  the  Court 
summed  up  its  findings  and  issued  its  decree  with  penalties  affixed 
declaring  that  "  Defendants  Wilmer  Crow,  Evan  G.  Badger,  James 
M.  Crawford,  S.  B.  Mench,  William  T.  Kerr,  C.  N.  Eaymond  and 
James  W.  McCleary  shall  be  expelled  from  the  Order.  ...  It 
is  further  ordered  and  decreed  that  Defendants  Edward  Wilson, 
C.  A.  Westerman,  William  Gundaker,  John  King,  S.  R.  Kepner, 
W.  A.  Reese  and  Henry  Markus  shall  be,  by  the  State  Councilor  of 
Pennsylvania,  or  by  his  duly  accredited  deputy,  reprimanded  at  a 
regular  meeting  of  the  Council  of  which  respectively,  they  may 
be  members,  etc." 

THE    MINNEAPOLIS    SESSION    SUSTAINED    BY    THE 
SUPREME   COURT 

It  is  presumed  that  nothing  in  the  whole  line  of  procedure 
during  the  controversy  in  the  Order  came  with  such  surprising  and 
depressing  effect  upon  the  loyalists,  and  at  the  same  time  brought 
shouts  of  ecstacies  from  the  insurrectionists,  as  the  decision  of 
Judge  Weiss,  noted  elsewhere,  in  suit  of  Derry  Council, No. 40  (Pa.), 
versus  the  National  Council  and  the  State  Council  of  Pennsylvania, 
by  which  the  respondents  were  restrained  by  a  permanent  injunc- 
tion from  carrying  out  the  provisions  of  the  National  Body  as 
enacted  at  Minneapolis  in  June  of  1899.  Counsel  for  the  National 
and  State  Councils  having  appealed  from  the  decision  of  the  lower 
court  to  the  highest  tribunal  in  the  State  of  Pennsylvania,  that 
Court  of  last  resort,  on  the  8th  day  of  October,  1900,  reversed 
the  decree  of  Judge  Weiss,  dismissing  the  bill  in  equity  and  placing 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  167 

all  costs  upon  the  original  plaintiffs — nominally  Derry  Council — 
but  really  the  insurgents  of  the  different  states,  who  had  to  pay  the 
bill.  It  was  a  sweeping  victory  for  the  Order  and  its  announce- 
ment sent  a  thrill  of  delight  and  joy  throughout  every  jurisdiction 
controlled  by  the  Supreme  Body.  '  It  being  an  important  docu- 
ment, the  salient  features  of  the  decision  should  find  a  place  here. 

The  injunction  was  awarded  solely  on  the  ground  that  the 
action  of  the  Minneapolis  session  in  levying  the  per  capita  tax 
upon  the  State  Council  was  null  and  void  because,  in  the  judg- 
ment of  the  lower  court,  it  was  a  corporate  act  by  the  body  which 
had  been  incorporated  in  the  State  of  Pennsylvania,  hence  the  said 
body  had  no  power  to  do  a  corporate  act  beyond  the  limits  of  the 
Commonwealth  that  had  created  it. 

The  Supreme  Court  admitted  the  general  proposition  of  the 
lower  court  that  a  corporation  can  have  no  legal  existence  beyond 
the  bounds  of  the  sovereignty  that  gave  it  life,  but  took  exceptions 
to  the  opinion  of  the  said  lower  tribunal,  that  the  National  Council 
was  such  a  corporate  body  as  should  be  subject  to  the  general  rule 
relating  to  place  of  the  existence  of  a  corporation  and  the  limits 
within  which  all  strictly  corporate  acts  must  be  performed.  Re- 
ferring to  the  incorporation  of  the  National  Council  in  the  Court 
of  Common  Pleas  No.  3,  of  Philadelphia,  Pa.,  on  April  10,  1893, 
under  the  provisions  of  the  act  of  April  21,  1874,  as  being  a  cor- 
poration designed  by  the  statutes  as  "  not  for  profit,"  and  the  pur- 
poses of  the  Order  as  an  incorporated  society  as  named  in  the 
Objects  (naming  them)  the  Supreme  Justice  who  wrote  the  opin- 
ion, says : 

"  It  exists  as  a  great  family  to  help  and  protect  its  members.  It 
is  of  a  social  and  not  of  a  business  character.  It  has  no  capital  stock, 
and  the  making  of  money  is  not  its  object.  Its  aims  and  membership, 
as  declared  by  its  charter,  are  national,  confined  to  no  state  or  locality. 
A  majority  of  its  members  and  Councils  are  non-residents  of  Pennsyl- 
vania. Must  such  an  Order,  such  an  incorporated  body,  as  diffusive  as 
the  limits  of  the  nation,  exist  and  act  within  the  borders  of  the  sovereignty 
that  created  it;  or  should  it,  a  purely  beneficial  organization  with  its 
broad  aims  and  objects  and  its  brotherhood  extending  from  ocean  to  ocean, 
be  permitted,  from  time  to  time  to  act  at  such  places  beyond  this  com- 
monwealth as  may  be  selected  for  the  manifest  convenience  and  welfare 
of  its  members?  If  the  reason  for  the  general  rule  requiring  a  corporation 
to  perform  its  corporate  acts  within  the  state  or  sovereignty  that  gave 
it  life,  extend  to  this  Order,  it  was  properly  enforced  by  the  court  below; 
but,  if  they  do  not  apply,  the  rule  itself  should  not,  Cessante  ratione 
legis  cessat  ipso  lex.  These  reasons  must  be,  as  in  any  ultra  vires  act 
by  a  corporation: 


168  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

'  1.  The  interest  of  the  public  that  the  corporation  shall  not  trans- 
cend the  powers  granted. 

'  2.  The  interests  of  the  stockholders  that  the  capital  shall  not  be 
subjected  to  the  risk  of  enterprises  not  contemplated  by  the  charter  and 
therefore  not  authorized  by  the  stockholders  in  subscribing  for  the  stock. 

'  3.  The  obligation  of  every  one  entering  into  a  contract  with  the 
corporation  to  take  notice  of  the  legal  limits  of  its  powers.'  " 

The  contention  of  Judge  Weiss  in  the  lower  court  that  a  cor- 
porate body  must  transact  its  corporate  business  within  the  juris- 
diction which  created  it,  was  given  a  different  coloring  in  the  decis- 
ion of  the  higher  court.  After  citing  a  case  the  Court  continued 
quoting  from  said  opinion: 

"  The  reason  of  the  rule  '  does  not  lie  in  the  imaginative  notion  that 
a  corporation  must  dwell  in  the  place  of  its  creation  and  cannot  migrate 
to  another  sovereignty,  but  rather  in  the  hardship  and  fraud  it  might 
entail  on  shareholders  to  permit  corporate  meetings  to  be  held  outside 
the  state.  Accordingly  there  seems  to  be  no  reason  for  holding  invalid 
acts  done  at  corporate  meetings  assembled  without  the  state  if  all  the 
shareholders  acquiesce  in  the  holding  of  such  meetings.' " 

Continuing  upon  the  point  at  issue,  the  Court  further  stated: 

"  In  levying  the  tax  it  can  not  be  pretended  that  this  Order  tran- 
scended any  corporate  powers  granted;  and  the  public  which  cannot 
fairly  be  said  to  have  any  interest  in  the  powers  possessed  by  this  family 
Order,  most  certainly  had  none  as  to  where  they  were  exercised.  It 
could  make  no  manner  of  difference  to  the  public  whether  the  tax  was 
levied  in  Philadelphia  or  Minneapolis.  The  public  were  not  affected.  The 
Order  did  not  deal  with  them  but  only  with  its  own  members,  its  own 
private  family.  It  had  no  stockholders  to  be  subjected  to  risks,  hardships 
or  fraud,  and  it  did  not  undertake  to  enter  into  any  contract.  Its  rela- 
tions with  this  complaining  Council  (Derry)  had  already  been  estab- 
lished and  presumably  existed  for  years.  The  levying  of  the  tax  was 
simply  providing  a  revenue  for  the  continued  existence  of  the  organization 
of  which  these  complainants  were  component  parts.  No  reason  there- 
fore exists  for  the  application  to  the  case  before  us  of  the  release  to  cor- 
porate acts  beyond  the  limits  of  the  state  creating  the  body  and  the 
appellant  justly  asks  us  to  except  them  from  it.  Any  other  view  would 
impel  us  to  the  conclusion  that  all  religious,  literary,  patriotic  or  bene- 
ficial societies  of  a  national  character,  scope  or  origin,  which  have  been 
incorporated  by  the  court,  by  acts  of  the  general  assembly,  or  since  1874, 
under  the  general  corporation  laws  of  Pennsylvania,  were  incapable  of 
holding  their  meetings,  transacting  their  business  and  adopting  rules  and 
laws  at  places  outside  the  state." 

Here  follows  a  long  list  of  denominations  having  been  incor- 
porated in  Pennsylvania,  yet  hold,  at  their  pleasure,  meetings  of 
their  supreme  bodies  outside  the  state.     The  Court  then  added: 

"  They  have  without  question  by  any  one,  changed  their  places  of 
meeting  and  acted  in  their  corporate  capacity  from  year  to  year  without 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  169 

regard  to  state  lines  or  to  the  precise  place  of  their  incorporation.  It 
would  be  a  ruthless  exercise  of  judicial  power  as  well  as  a  stretch  of 
judicial  authority  to  declare  all  of  their  acts  and  proceedings  beyond  our 
borders  null  and  void,  at  the  instance  of  some  complaining  or  aggrieved 
member  or  congregation  who  excepts  to  a  new  mode  of  paying  dues, 
because  adopted  outside  the  state.  In  levying  the  tax  at  Minneapolis  no 
law  of  Minnesota  was  violated  and  no  statute  of  our  own  commonwealth 
was  contravened.  Neither  state  is  complaining,  no  power  of  the  cor- 
poration was  transcended  and  for  the  reasons  given,  Derry  Council  cannol 
complain  that  the  National  Council  beyond  our  borders  did  what  it  certainly 
could  have  done  within  them,  for  the  continuance  of  its  existence." 

Following  these  somewhat  general  principles  in  the  opinion, 
the  Court  took  up  the  Constitution,  Laws,  etc.,  as  enacted  at  Min- 
neapolis, in  order,  by  a  closer  scrutiny,  to  ascertain  whether  the 
National  Council  had  transcended  its  powers  as  a  corporate  body 
meeting  without  the  jurisdiction  creating  it.  After  a  careful 
analysis  of  the  powers  conferred  upon  the  National  Council  by  its 
Constitution  and  Laws,  and  its  right  and  power  to  levy  a  per  capita 
tax  upon  the  membership  of  the  Order  to  be  collected  through  the 
constituted  authorities  of  the  organization — the  State  Council 
Secretaries  of  the  several  jurisdictions — the  Court  continues : 

"  In  the  case  under  consideration  it  seems  clear  that  a  majority  of 
Pennsylvania  State  Council  refused  to  levy  this  tax  and  by  their  refusal 
became  insubordinate  to  the  supreme  authority  of  the  Order  and  resisted 
the  enforcement  of  the  Supreme  Laws  .  .  .  Under  the  broad  terms  quoted 
from  the  Constitution  and  laws  of  the  Order  it  does  not  appear  that  the 
National  Council  is  powerless  to  enforce  its  decrees  when  the  State 
Council  revolts  against  its  authority.  The  members  of  the  Order  hold 
a  relation  to  the  National  Council  and  after  it  is  given  power  to  levy 
per  capita  tax  and  general  authority  to  provide  for  its  maintenance  it 
cannot  be  said  to  exercise  such  authority  only  at  the  will  of  the  State 
Councils.  Neither  the  rate  of  taxation  nor  the  aggregate  amount  of  tax 
levied  is  determined  by  the  State  Council." 

THE    STATE   COUNCIL   OF   PENNSYLVANIA   SUSTAINED   IN    THE 
CIVIL   COURT 

Following  the  decision  of  the  National  Judiciary,  the  officers 
of  the  "  insurgent "  State  Council  cited  the  officers  of  the  "  loyal " 
State  Council  into  the  Courts  of  Philadelphia,  on  a  Quo  Warranto 
Proceeding,  averring  that  said  officers  of  the  so-called  loyal  State 
Council  were  illegally  exercising  or  attempting  to  exercise  the 
offices,  franchises,  rights,  duties,  powers  and  prerogatives  of  the 
respective  officers  of  the  corporate  body  of  the  state,  and  asked  the 
Court  to  restrain  them  from  so  doing. 

Answer  to  the  allegations  were  made  by  the  officers  of  the 


170  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

loyal  State  Council  in  due  time,  and  which  were  denied  by  the 
plaintiffs,  to  which  the  respondents  made  a  rejoinder,  whereupon 
an  examiner  was  appointed  and  the  case  was  subsequently  argued, 
and,  after  embarrassing  delays,  Judge  Audenried  rendered  his  opin- 
ion denying  the  allegations  and  prayer  of  the  relators,  and  declar- 
ing the  so-called  loyal  State  Council  of  Pennsylvania  the  legal 
State  body,  and  its  officers  the  legal  representatives  of  the  Order, 
duly  elected  and  installed.  The  opinion  was  rendered  May  10, 
1904. 

It  is  not  the  purpose  of  the  author  to  publish  the  voluminous 
proceedings  before  the  court  or  to  give  the  opinion  of  the  learned 
Judge  in  his  able  decision,  but  simply  to  give  a  few  excerpts  there- 
from. It  is  not  to  be  understood  as  being  in  the  spirit  of  criticism 
of  the  counsel  on  either  side,  quoting  Judge  Audenried,  when  we 
state  that  the  delay  in  the  final  adjudication  of  the  case  was  largely 
due  to  the  mass  of  irrelevant  and  immaterial  questions  raised.  The 
Judge  upon  this  point,  said : 

"  The  pleadings  in  the  cause  are  voluminous.  Both  sides  seem  to 
have  been  at  pains  to  multiply  issues  of  fact  rather  than  to  reach  that 
true  end  of  all  pleadings,  the  affirmance  by  one  party  and  the  denial  by 
the  other  of  a  single  proposition.  .  .  .  We  may  note  in  passing,  that  many 
of  them  (requests  of  counsel  on  both  sides  for  findings  of  law  and  fact) 
relate  to  matters,  in  our  judgment,  seem  to  be  more  interesting  to  the 
warring  factions  of  the  Junior  Order  of  United  American  Mechanics  than 
relevant  to  the  question  raised  by  these  proceedings." 

After  a  restatement  of  facts  of  the  organization,  institution 
and  incorporation  of  the  State  Council  of  Pennsylvania  and  the  Na- 
tional Council,  the  purpose  of  their  respective  organizations,  and 
the  meeting  of  the  State  Council  at  Philadelphia  of  1900  and  the 
effort  to  adopt,  as  well  as  adopting  the  resolution  of  secession  at  the 
Lancaster  rump  special  session,  Judge  Audenried  says : 

"  The  meeting  of  these  delegates  ( at  Lancaster )  was  not  a  meeting 
of  the  State  Council.  The  delegates  attended  it  in  their  individual  and 
not  in  their  representative  capacity.  Their  proceedings  were  not  the 
acts  of  the  State  Council,  and  the  minutes  thereof  had  no  place  upon 
the  record  of  that  body.  Under  this  perfectly  correct  view  of  the  matter, 
the  State  Councilor  ruled  that  the  motion  to  approve  and  adopt  those 
minutes  was  out  of  order,  but  an  appeal  from  his  decision  was  taken  and 
was  sustained  by  the  delegates. 

"  This  action  of  the  majority  present  at  the  meeting  was  undoubtedly 
unconstitutional  and  revolutionary.  The  enthusiasm  shown  by  them  on 
the  vote  sustaining  the  appeal,  and  the  threats  and  menaces  then  indulged 
in  made  it  quite  clear  that  it  was  idle  to  expect  an  adherence  to  the  ordi- 
nary principles  of  logic  and  justice.  We  do  not  say  that  the  forms  of 
parliamentary  usage  were  departed   from  by   the  majority  on  this  occa- 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  171 

sion,  but  these  forms  were  perverted  to  carry  out  an  attempt  at  an  act 
suicidal  and  logically  inconceivable, — secession  from  the  National  Council. 
One  organic  part  of  a  body  politic  was  to  sever  its  relations  with  another." 

The  strongest  point  in  this  masterly  opinion,  and  one  that,  in 
its  scope,  is  far-reaching,  was  the  recognition  of  the  National 
Judiciary  as  the  Court  of  last  resort  in  the  Order;  that,  as  a 
tribunal  to  adjudicate  matters  and  grievances  within  the  organiza- 
tion, it  has  greater  power  and  possesses  higher  authority  than  the 
Court  of  Law,  and  it  was  on  this  principle  that  the  Court  based 
its  opinion.  Fully  satisfied,  from  the  evidence  submitted,  that  the 
Judiciary  Department  of  the  Order  was  legally  and  properly  con- 
stituted, the  Court  goes  on  to  say: 

"  The  law  conclusively  presumes  that  every  member  of  such  a  society 
as  that  with  which  we  are  concerned  in  the  present  case  knows  the  obliga- 
tions resulting  from  its  charter,  its  by-laws  and  its  rules.  They  express 
the  terms  of  his  contract  of  membership.  If  by  its  rules  a  society,  whether 
incorporated  or  unincorporated,  has  appointed  a  certain  judicatory  for 
the  decision  of  controversies  between  its  members  in  relation  to  its  officers, 
or  in  respect  to  the  right  of  membership,  its  judgment  is  to  be  regarded 
as  conclusive.  If  courts  of  justice  should  substitute,  in  the  place  of  such 
a  tribunal,  their  own  judgment,  this  would  be  to  make  a  new  contract  for 
the  parties  different  from  the  one  they  made  for  themselves.  Where  the 
contract  of  membership  provides  that  a  certain  judicatory  shall  declare 
what  is  just  in  controversies  between  the  members  of  the  association 
involving  society  rights  the  courts  cannot  interfere.  They  do  not  sit  to 
hear  appeals  from  umpires,  or  referees  so  constituted.  They  will  not 
inquire  into  what  has  passed  in  rem  judicata  in  the  regular  course  of  pro- 
ceedings before  the  latter,  provided  that  they  have  exercised  their  powers 
fairly  and  in  good  faith.  This  proposition  is  established  by  numerous 
decisions,  and  while  most  of  them  relate  to  questions  of  motion  or  expul- 
sion from  membership,  they  lay  the  principle  down  very  broadly,  and  the 
reasons  on  which  it  is  based  cover  also  such  questions  as  are  now  before 
us." 

Acting  under  and  by  this  principle,  the  only  question  at  issue, 
in  the  judgment  of  the  eminent  jurist,  was,  whether,  in  the  case 
before  the  National  Judiciary  at  Philadelphia  where  the  commonly 
called  "  loyal "  body  was  declared  the  true  State  Council,  every- 
thing was  regularly  and  judicatorily  established,  and  whether  the 
opinion  in  said  case  was  made  in  good  faith. 

Reviewing  the  entire  proceedings  by  which  the  National  Judi- 
ciary was  established  as  well  as  the  case  above  referred  to,  the 
Court  further  says : 

"  If  these  proceedings  were  regular  and  if  the  National  Judiciary 
was  lawfully  established  for  the  determination  of  such  questions  as  those 
which  have  arisen  between  the  parties  to  this  case,  it  is  plain  that  under 


172  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

the  general  principles  to  which  we  have  referred  above,  the  decision  by 
that  body  must  be  recognized  by  this  Court  and  followed  in  the  deter- 
mination of  the  case  before  us." 

It  is  worthy  to  note,  in  this  connection,  the  opinion  of  the 
Cou»t  relative  to  the  establishment  of  the  Judiciary,  a  feature  of 
the  Order  so  bitterly  criticized  at  the  time.  The  Judge  has  this 
to  say: 

"  Strictly  speaking,  we  are  not  concerned  at  present  with  any  part 
of  the  new  or  amended  constitution  save  that  portion  dealing  with  the 
establishment  of  the  National  Judiciary;  but  we  may  say  that  a  careful 
examination  of  the  whole  instrument  has  convinced  us  that  the  changes 
made  in  the  constitution  as  it  stood  prior  to  1899,  are  only  not  unreason- 
able, but  on  the  whole,  very  beneficial.  The  crude  and  clumsy  work  of 
lay  hands  has  given  place  to  a  carefully  conceived  and  xoell  expressed  code 
prepared  by  a  skilful  draughtsman." 

"  The  provisions  of  Article  IX,  by  which  was  established  a  tribunal 
for  the  settlement  of  questions  arising  within  the  Order  are  especially 
to  be  commended.  They  amount  to  nothing  more  than  a  reasonable  and 
excellent  amplification  of  the  provisions  of  the  old  constitution,  by  which 
the  National  Council  was  charged  with  the  responsibility  of  settling  such 
matters  but  was  left  no  guide  as  to  how  or  by  what  process  that  end  was 
to  be  accomplished.     The  Article  in  question  supplies  that  information." 

The  Court  was  frank  enough  to  express  its  opinion  relative  to 
the  whimsicalities  that,  to  a  too  great  degree,  characterized  the 
membership  of  the  Order,  especially  for  a  decade  or  more.  The 
comment  was  made  in  the  discussion  of  the  Judiciary  Branch  of 
the  Order: 

"  It  will  be  observed  that  this  Article  establishes  a  tribunal,  defines 
its  jurisdiction,  fixes  its  procedure  and  practice,  and  in  all  respects  fairly 
and  fully  meets  what  would  seem  to  be  the  needs  of  an  association  of 
nearly  200,000  members  scattered  over  the  whole  of  the  United  States, 
and,  if  we  may  judge  from  the  evidence  before  us,  inclined  rather  to 
internecine  strife  over  technicalities  and  the  struggle  for  office  than  the 
carrying  out  of  the  purposes  of  their  organization" 

The  opinion  of  the  Court  was  surprisingly  brief  when  it  is 
considered  that  besides  the  mass  of  exhibits  in  the  shape  of  consti- 
tutions, annual  reports,  minutes,  etc.,  the  report  of  the  Examiner 
consisted  of  more  than  700  pages  of  testimony.  The  wheat  was 
sifted  from  the  chaff,  however,  of  this  voluminous  mass  by  counsel 
on  both  sides  submitting  to  the  Court  requests  for  findings  of  law 
and  fact.  The  relators  asked  for  32  findings  on  questions  of  fact, 
while  the  defendants  asked  for  53.  On  points  of  law,  the  relators 
demanded  17  findings,  while  the  defendants  demanded  28. 

Outside  of  the  main  ruling,  which  directed  that  judgment  be 
entered  in  favor  of  the  defendants  and  against  the  relators  based 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  173 

on  the  validity  and  powers  of  the  Judiciary  Branch  of  the  Order, 
two  rulings  if  not  three,  as  to  questions  of  fact  and  law,  are  of 
interest.  The  first  had  reference  to  the  power  or  rights  and  privi- 
leges of  the  "  caucus."  The  twenty-ninth  request  of  the  relators 
for  the  finding  of  fact  reads: 

"  That  a  meeting  or  a  caucus  was  held  by  certain  members  of  the 
National  Council  at  some  time  or  place  in  the  City  of  Minneapolis  during 
the  session  of  the.  National  Council,  at  which  meeting  or  caucus  the  chair- 
man of  the  meeting  who  prepared  the  code  of  laws  changed  and  modified 
the  said  report  in  many  material  aspects  before  the  same  was  ever  pre- 
sented to  the  National  Council." 

The  finding  of  the  Court  on  this  question  was  as  follows: 

"  We  refuse  to  find  as  herein  requested.  A  caucus  of  certain  mem- 
bers of  the  National  Council  was  held  in  June,  1899,  prior  to  the  Minne- 
apolis meeting  of  that  body,  at  which  the  proposed  amendments  were 
discussed,  and  it  was  there  agreed  that  at  the  meeting  of  the  Council  the 
members  of  the  caucus  loould  endeavor  to  secure  the  modification  of 
certain  of  the  amendments  to  the  constitution  that  were  to  be  reported. 

"  In  this  we  see  nothing  irregular  or  improper." 

The  statement  made  in  this  question  of  fact  is  erroneous.  No 
such  caucus  was  held  before  or  during  the  meeting  of  the  National 
Body.  The  twelfth  request  of  the  relators  as  to  finding  of  law 
reads : 

"  That  the  National  Council  was  without  power  to  change  the  Objects 
of  the  Order  without  a  vote  of  the  individual  membership  of  the  Order.'' 

This  proposition  was  affirmed  by  the  Court. 

In  the  main  ruling,  the  Court  had  this  to  say  : 

"  It  has  been  suggested  that  the  attempt  of  the  National  Council 
without  authority,  to  alter  the  '  Objects  of  the  Order '  as  expressed  in 
the  constitution,  and  the  appropriation  of  the  society's  money  to  the 
carrying  on  of  a  life  insurance  business,  puts  that  body  in  a  '  state  of 
insurrection  against  the  Order  '  and  deprives  it  of  its  powers  of  govern- 
ment. To  our  mind,  however,  this  argument  is  without  logical  bearing 
on  the  question  involved  in  the  case  before  us.  If  the  National  Council 
lacks,  as  we  think  it  does  lack,  the  power  to  change  the  '  Objects  of  the 
Order,'  its  attempt  to  do  so  amounts  to  nothing,  except  it  be  regarded 
as  a  preliminary  step  to  its  submission  of  the  question  of  making  such  a 
change  to  a  vote  of  the  membership  at  large.  It  certainly  had  no  effect 
to  disband  the  National  Council,  to  eliminate  it  from  its  place  in  the 
organization  or  to  abrogate  its  powers  of  government." 

One  of  the  requests  of  the  respondents  for  finding  of  fact, 
referred  to  the  adoption  of  the  new  laws  at  Minneapolis  as  in  ac- 
cordance with  the  constitution  and  practices  of  the  Order,  "and 


174  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

that  the  said  laws  are  a  material  improvement  and  advantage  over 
the  old  laws,  etc." 

The  ruling  of  the  Court  was : 

"  We  iind  the  facts  to  be  as  herein  stated,  except  as  to  the  change 
made  in  the  '  Objects  of  the  Order.'  That  change  was  not  made  in  accord- 
ance with  the  constitution  and  practice  of  the  Order,  but  was  irregular 
and  wholly  void,  unless  it  be  ratified  by  a  majority  vote  of  the  members 
at-large." 

The  third  point  was  relative  to  the  famous  resolution  of  seces- 
sion passed  at  Lancaster  by  the  so-called  "  insurgents."  In  sev- 
eral requests  bearing  upon  this  point  or  findings  of  facts  as  well 
as  of  law,  the  respondents  endeavored  to  impress  upon  the  honor- 
able Court  the  fact  that  this  act  of  secession  was  a  complete  sever- 
ance from  the  National  Council,  thereby  placing  those  having 
connection  with  it  without  the  Order,  and  at  the  same  time  it 
amounted  to  insubordination,  in  fact  came  near  a  conspiracy,  and 
that  their  purpose  and  intent  was  the  disruption  of  the  Order. 

These  several  requests  the  Court  refused  to  affirm,  stating  that 
"  we  do  not  regard  the  Lancaster  resolution  as  effective  to  sever  the 
connection  of  anybody  with  the  Order." 

In  another  place  in  the  ruling  on  this  same  point,  raised  in 
different  form,  the  Court  reaffirmed  its  opinion  as  to  the  authority 
of  the  Judiciary  as  the  Court  of  last  resort : 

"  Before  the  relators  can  be  read  out  of  the  Order  or  declared  to 
be  disqualified  for  office,  they  must  be  tried  and  convicted  on  charges  reg- 
ularly preferred  against  them  under  the  laws  of  the  Order  in  the  Order's 
lawfully  established  tribunal." 

Much  criticism  was  aroused  in  some  of  the  states  over  the  ex- 
pense this  case  entailed  on  the  National  Body,  the  claim  being  ad- 
vanced that  it  was  merely  local  in  character.  We  are  pleased  to 
quote  Brother  Deemer  on  this  point: 

"  The  report  of  the  Board  of  Officers  will  give  you  the  decision  in  the 
Pennsylvania  Quo  Warranto  case.  It  is  useless  for  me  to  occupy  your 
time  or  use  printer's  ink  in  commenting  upon  this  case.  Its  importance 
must  be  recognized  by  all.  There  is,  however,  one  phase  of  the  matter 
to  which  I  wish  to  call  attention.  Members  of  other  states  have  alluded 
to  this  case  as  a  local  one,  and  one  in  which  the  Order  at  large  had  no 
interest,  and  it  has  been  objected  that  the  National  Council  should  pay 
the  expenses  of  the  litigation.  I  would  ask  whether  there  is  any  more 
reason  why  it  should  be  responsible  for  the  expenses  in  New  York,  New 
Jersey,  Virginia  and  the  District  of  Columbia  than  for  Pennsylvania. 
The  truth  is  that  the  causes  which  led  to  this  insurrection  were  foreign 
to  any  grievances  existing  in  these  states.     In  the  State  of  Pennsylvania 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  175 

a  loyalist  was  elected  to  the  position  of  State  Vice-Councilor  at  the  same 
time  that  the  State  Council  refused  to  pay  the  per  capita  tax  to  this  body. 

"  The  truth  is  that  these  states  became  the  battle-ground  just  as 
truly  as  did  Massachusetts  with  its  battle  of  Bunker  Hill,  or  Virginia 
with  its  Yorktown,  or  Pennsylvania  with  its  Gettysburg. 

"  There  was  no  local  trouble  in  Pennsylvania,  and  had  the  officers 
identified  themselves  with  the  insurgents,  and  repudiated  this  National 
Council,  there  would  have  been  no  trouble  in  that  state  unless  brought 
by  this  body,  and  it  should  be  remembered  that  the  case  just  decided  in 
the  City  of  Philadelphia  was  not  a  local  one,  but  one  affecting  this 
National  Council  and  worth  more  to  us  than  all  that  it  has  cost." 

CONCLUDING    OBSERVATIONS    RELATIVE    TO    PENNSYLVANIA 

We  can  only  refer  briefly  to  a  few  additional  observations  con- 
cerning Pennsylvania,  as  to  the  unfortunate  controversy  that  stirred 
the  state  from  end  to  end.  The  bitterness  of  the  strife  can  scarcely 
be  realized  only  by  those  who  were  in  the  "  thick  of  the  fight." 
The  bonds  of  brotherhood  were  ruthlessly  sundered,  in  many  in- 
stances, between  those  who  previously  were  fast  friends,  because  of 
the  contention,  and  intimate  and  fraternal  associations  were  forever 
broken.  Following  the  decree  by  which  the  Order  was  purged  of 
the  "  ring-leaders "  in  the  strife,  there  seemed  to  be  manifested 
a  more  violent  determination  upon  the  part  of  the  malcontents  to 
widen  the  breach  and  disrupt  as  far  as  possible  the  grand  old 
organization. 

The  Councils  to  which  the  persons,  who  were  ordered  expelled, 
belonged,  having  refused  to  carry  out  the  decree  of  the  Judiciary 
and  expel  same,  the  State  Councilor  suspended  the  charters  of 
said  Councils  and  preferred  charges  against  them  before  the  State 
Judiciary,  on  July  27,  1901.  Charges  were  also  preferred  against 
more  than  100  Councils  for  failing  to  honor  the  demand  to  pay  the 
National  Council  per  capita  tax.  In  due  time  all  the  above  cited 
cases  were  regularly  tried  and,  with  two  exceptions,  those  councils 
which  refused  to  carry  out  the  decree  of  the  Judiciary  to  expel 
the  members  thereof  found  guilty  of  insubordination,  had  their 
charters  forfeited,  as  well  as  113  Councils  for  failing  to  meet  their 
obligations  to  the  National  Body. 

The  delay  resulting  from  the  long-drawn  out  litigation,  espe- 
cially the  case  in  the  Philadelphia  court  as  to  the  true  State  Coun- 
cil, intensified  the  unrest  and  doubt  even  among  those  who  were 
loyal,  and  gave  to  those  who  were  disloyal  time  and  opportunity  to 
still  continue  their  campaign  of  villification  and  misrepresentation. 
In  the  meantime  the  insurgent  element  organized  a  new  body,  hav- 
ing no  supreme  head  or  national  authority,  and  called  themselves 


176  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

''  Independent  Order  of  Americans,"  which,  at  this  writing,  April, 
1907,  is  still  the  same  headless  organization,  drifting  like  a  rudder- 
less ship,#purposeless  and  alone,  without  pilot  or  engineer. 

As  with  the  National  Council,  so  with  the  State  Council  of 
Pennsylvania,  every  effort  toward  arbitration  and  conciliation  has 
been  made  by  the  loyalists,  willing  to  arbitrate  and  adjust  the 
salient  points  in  dispute,  even  going  out  of  the  way  to  be  more  than 
fair,  but  to  no  purpose.  The  National  Council,  acting  in  harmony 
with  the  conciliatory  proposals  of  the  loyal  State  Councils,  made, 
not  only  to  the  Pennsylvania  insurgents,  but  to  all  others  in  every 
state  where  rebellion  was  rife,  the  most  liberal  and  generous  offer, 
only  to  be  despised  and  trampled,  as  it  were,  under  unhallowed  feet. 
The  proposition  of  the  Supreme  Body  was,  that  by  the  payment 
of  the  National  Council  per  capita  tax  and  the  National  Orphans' 
Home  tax,  which  were  due  at  the  time  of  the  suspension  of  the 
respective  State  and  Subordinate  Councils'  charters,  the  said 
Councils  would  he  restored  to  membership.  What  more  generous 
and  equitable  proposition  could  have  been  made?  It  gave  to  the 
disloyal  element  freedom  from  the  penalties  for  their  treasonable 
course  as  well  as  punishment  therefor,  and  conferred  upon  them 
all  the  rights  and  privileges  of  membership  in  the  Order  they  had 
so  persistently  tried  to  destroy.  However,  but  a  small  number  of 
Councils  in  the  various  states  accepted  the  proposition.  Let  no 
one  say  that  the  loyalists  have  not  been  conciliatory  and  fair 
all  through  the  controversy.  To  say  that  they  have  not,  in  the 
face  of  all  that  was  done,  is  presuming  upon  the  truth  and  at 
variance  with  facts. 

For  four  long  years,  nearly,  the  State  Council  of  Pennsylvania 
waited  outside  the  bar  of  the  Civil  Courts  to  know  its  destiny. 
Hope  would  rise  then  fall  as  to  promise  of  speedy  determination, 
yet  the  faith  of  the  faithful  never  wavered,  though  the  "lane  was 
long,"  that  vindication  would  come;  and  it  did  come,  blessed  be 
God,  in  the  triumphant  decision  of  Judge  Audenried,  May  10,  1904. 
What  a  thrill  went  through  the  great  heart  of  the  brotherhood  not 
only  in  Pennsylvania,  but  throughout  the  union  of  states  from  the 
Lakes  to  the  Gulf,  and  from  the  rough  surges  of  the  Atlantic  to  the 
calmer  waters  of  the  Pacific.  Hope  almost  dead  in  many  a  heart 
sprang  up  bright-eyed,  and  with  purer  patriotism  and  a  nobler 
purpose  the  loyalists  pushed  to  the  front  holding  out  the  cordial 
hand,  answering  to  the  throbs  of  a  warmer  heart,  inviting  back  into 
the  fold  those  who  had  stood  aloof  until  the  status  of  the  contend- 
ing State  Councils  was  decided.     As  the  result  of  this  decision, 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  177 

scores  of  neutral  Councils  returned,  or  rather  acknowledged  the 
loyal  Body,  and  thousands  of  members  were  again  enrolled  upon 
the  records  of  the  Order.  Tiring  of  their  company,  insurgent 
Councils  returned  to  the  fellowship  of  the  Junior  brotherhood,  and 
more  are  coming  as  we  write  these  cheering  lines.  So  marked 
was  the  effect  of  the  decision,  that  by  December  31,  1904,  record- 
ing to  the  report  of  the  State  Council  Secretary,  fifty-seven  Councils 
had  been  reinstated,  bringing  to  the  State  Body  6,714  members, 
making  a  net  increase  for  the  year  of  10,227  members. 

SUITS  Or  STATE  COUNCIL  OF  PENNSYLVANIA  VS.  DUQUESNE  COUNCIL, 
NO.    110,   AND   JAMES   G.    BLAINE   COUNCIL,  NO.    766 

The  latest  phase  of  litigation  affecting  Pennsylvania  was 
decided,  so  far  as  the  lower  Courts  are  concerned,  November  23, 
1906,  by  Judge  Over,  in  the  Pittsburg  Orphans'  Court,  and  August 
27,  1907,  by  Judge  Audenried,  in  Common  Pleas  Court,  No.  4, 
Philadelphia.  The  State  Council  of  Pennsylvania  brought  action 
against  Duquesne  Council,  No.  110,  and  James  G.  Blaine  Council, 
No.  766,  connected  with  the  Order  of  Independent  Americans,  to 
secure  possesion  of  the  funds  of  said  Councils,  they  being  test 
cases.  Judge  Over  dismissed  the  suit,  his  opinion,  in  part,  being 
as  follows: 

"  The  purpose  of  the  fund  was  to  relieve  members  of  Duquesne 
Council,  who  were  in  distress  by  reason  of  sickness,  or  their  families  by 
reason  of  a  member's  death.  The  State  organization  has  no  fund  of  this 
character,  nor  any  law  providing  for  the  distribution  of  the  fund,  and 
it  does  not  appear  that  it  could  execute  this  purpose  if  the  fund  were 
paid  to  it.  If,  then,  the  fund  be  paid  to  the  plaintiff,  it  holds  it  as  trustee 
for  unknown  beneficiaries;  it  cannot  ascertain  them;  the  purposes  of  the 
trust  could  not  be  fulfilled,  and  it  would  hold  the  fund  in  perpetuity. 
On  the  other  hand,  the  defendants,  acting  in  good  faith,  paid  out  the  trust 
fund  in  dispute  to  the  persons  and  for  the  purposes  for  which  it  was 
contributed.  Surely,  in  view  of  these  facts,  a  Court  of  Equity  would  not 
enforce  a  forfeiture  of  the  trust  fund,  and  thus  defeat  the  purposes  of 
the  trust. 

"  The  funds  of  said  Council  are  a  sick  and  funeral  benefit  fund, 
accumulated  by  voluntary  contributions  of  the  members  thereof,  and  to 
which  only  members  of  said  Council  have  contributed  or  can  contribute  and 
of  which  only  members  of  their  designated  beneficiaries  are,  or  can  be,  bene- 
ficiaries, and  are  held  by  trustees  elected  by  the  contributors  thereof. 
And  the  fund  is,  under  the  laws  of  the  said  Order,  left  to  the  control 
and  discretionary  management  and  disposition  of  said  defendant  Council. 

"  The  plaintiff  has  not  shown  or  named  any  beneficiary  of  the  trust 
alleged   in   plaintiff's   bill,   or   any  beneficiary  of  the   said   trust   fund   in 


178  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

hands  of  defendant  Council,  except  the  members  of  defendant  Council, 
plaintiff  has  not  shown  any  diversion  of  said  trust  fund  or  any  threatened 
diversion  of  the  same." 

Judge  Audenried,  however,  in  a  very  able  decision,  rendered 
as  per  date  above  noted,  takes  an  entire  opposite  view  of  the  con- 
troversy from  Judge  Over,  and  decided  in  favor  of  the  plaintiff, 
the  State  Council  of  Pennsylvania.  The  text  of  the  opinion,  how- 
ever, is  too  long  to  quote,  but  a  few  excerpts  follow  to  indicate  the 
trend. 

The  question  of  the  property  in  contention,  in  the  opinion  of 
the  Court,  resolved  itself  into  two  classes:  First,  money,  para- 
phernalia and  other  property  in  the  hands  of  said  Council  and  its 
authorized  custodians  at  the  time  the  charter  of  the  Council  was 
revoked,  January  6,  1903.  Second,  money  and  other  property 
received  by  said  Council  subsequent  to  the  revocation  of  its  charter. 
In  answer  to  the  first  question,  the  Court  was  clear  and  explicit 
in  its  opinion  claiming  that  all  money  and  property  belonged  to 
the  State  Council  at  the  time  the  charter  was  revoked.  After  citing 
at  length  the  provisions  of  the  Constitution  and  the  By-laws  of  the 
Order  relative  to  the  collection  of  money  by  Councils  and  the  pur- 
poses for  which  it  is  collected,  etc.,  the  eminent  jurist  said : 

"  The  reasonable  construction  of  these  various  provisions  is  that  the 
contributions  received  from  the  members  by  way  of  dues  constitute  a 
fund  impressed  with  a  trust  that  it  shall  not  be  used  by  the  subordinate 
Council  by  which  it  has  been  received,  except:  first,  to  pay  the  per  capita 
taxes  assessed  by  the  National  Council  against  the  Subordinate  Council; 
second,  to  pay  the  per  capita  taxes  assessed  by  the  State  Council  against 
the  Subordinate  Council;  third,  to  pay  benefits  to  sick  and  disabled  mem- 
bers in  good  standing  in  the  Order;  and  fourth,  to  pay  funeral  benefits 
on  the  death  of  members  in  good  standing.  Any  surplus  may  be  applied 
\o  such  other  purposes  as  the  Subordinate  Council  may  deem  judicious, 
but  after  the  revocation  of  the  warrant  or  charter  of  a  Subordinate  Coun- 
cil this  power  ceases.  A  Council  exists  only  by  virtue  of  a  warrant  or 
charter  issued  in  accordance  with  the  National  Laws.  After  the  revo- 
cation of  the  warrant  under  which  a  Council  was  formed,  so  far  as 
concerns  the  Order,  its  members  and  its  powers,  it  is  as  if  there  were 
no  such  body,  and,  of  course,  those  who  formerly  composed  it  may  no 
longer  act  together  in  the  quasi  corporate  capacity  theretofore  accorded 
to  them.  There  can  therefore,  in  such  a  case,  no  longer  be  a  purpose 
'  deemed  judicious  '  by  the  Council. 

"  Our  conclusion  upon  this  branch  of  our  inquiry  is  that  the  money, 
paraphernalia  and  property  of  every  kind  in  the  hands  of  the  James  G. 
Blaine  Council,  No.  766,  or  in  the  hands  of  the  officers  or  trustees  for  its 
purposes  and  under  its  control,  at  the  time  of  the  revocation  of  its  warrant 
on  January  6,  1903,  constituted  a  Trust  Fund  for  the  purpose  of  paying 
the  taxes  assessed  on  said  Council  prior  to  that  date  by  the  National 
Council  and  by  the  State  Council  and  for  the  further  purpose  of  paying, 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  179 

in  accordance  with  Sections  2  and  3  of  Article  10,  of  the  Subordinate 
Council  Constitution,  sick  benefits  to  members  of  the  Junior  Order  United 
American  Mechanics  formerly  associated  together  under  the  name  of  the 
James  G.  Blaine  Council,  No.  766,  and  continuing  to  be  of  good  standing 
in  the  Order,  and  funeral  benefits,  on  the  death  of  such  members,  to  their 
representatives. 

"  The  next  question  arising  is,  why  should  not  the  money,  para- 
phernalia and  other  property  in  the  hands  of  James  G.  Blaine  Council, 
No.  766,  or  its  officers  or  trustees,  remain  where  they  were  on  January 
6,  1903?  The  answer  to  this  question  is  found  in  the  proposition  that, 
so  far  as  concerns  the  Junior  Order  United  American  Mechanics,  that 
Council  no  longer  is  in  existence.  The  laws  of  the  Order  contemplates 
the  existence  of  a  Subordinate  Council  as  a  necessary  condition  to  the 
continuance  of  its  right  to  hold  property  of  any  kind  for  any  purpose." 

The  next  point  considered  by  the  Court  was  the  question 
whether  James  G.  Blaine  Council  was  no  longer  existent.  It  was 
contended  by  the  defendant  that  the  adjudication  of  the  State 
Judiciary  that  revoked  the  charter  of  said  Council  was  invalid  and 
of  no  effect,  and  prayed  the  Court  to  so  declare.  The  basis  of  the 
defendant's  plea  was  threefold,  viz. :  1.  The  State  Judiciary  was 
not  a  legally  established  tribunal.  2.  The  proceedings  in  the  case 
were  defective  and  irregular.  3.  The  tax  that  the  Council  refused 
to  pay  was  unlawful. 

The  first  objection  raised  by  the  defendant  was  a  thread-bare 
plea,  claiming  that  the  laws  enacted  at  Minneapolis  had  no  binding 
force  because  the  National  Council  amended  the  National  Constitu- 
tion by  changing  the  so-called  "  Objects  of  the  Order,"  thereby 
exceeding  its  powers,  hence  the  tribunal  known  as  the  State  Judi- 
ciary did  not  exist  because  the  National  Council  exceeded  its  powers 
in  the  re-statement  of  the  Objects  of  the  Order  in  somewhat  differ- 
ent words,  adding  thereto  a  new  Object  by  the  establishment  of  an 
Insurance  Branch.  The  plaintiff,  however,  conceded  the  point  that 
the  National  Council  did  exceed  its  powers  and  that  so  far  as  the 
change  of  the  Objects  were  concerned  it  was  nugatory  and  inopera- 
tive (subsequently  the  change  of  the  Objects  was  submitted  to 
the  membership  and  thereby  made  operative).  With  this  conces- 
sion the  Court  concurred,  hitherto  having  so  decided;  but  in  as 
clear  opinion  as  ever  was  rendered  during  the  entire  controversy  in 
the  Order,  the  Court  showed  the  utter  fallacy  of  the  objection : 

"  It  by  no  means  follows  from  these  facts,  however,  that  the  attempt 
of  the  National  Council  to  change  the  objects  or  purposes  for  which 
the  Order  had  been  established,  operated  to  destroy  the  Order's  frame  of 
government  and  to  disband  its  membership.  In  our  judgment  no  greater 
effect  can  possibly  be  ascribed  to  this  effort  of  the  National  Council  than 
would   be  ascribed  to  a  piece  of  unconstitutional   legislation   in   which   a 


180  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

State  Legislature  might  indulge.  The  enactment  of  an  unconstitutional 
law  amounts  to  nothing.  It  is  as  if  no  legislative  action  had  been  taken. 
The  General  Assembly  might,  if  it  pleased,  pass  a  bill  declaring  that  it 
thereby  amended  the  Constitution,  but  no  result  would  follow.  The  Con- 
stitution would  remain  just  as  it  was  adopted  by  the  people.  The  existing 
laws  of  the  Commonwealth  would  continue  to  be  enforced  by  its  executive 
officers.  The  courts  of  the  Commonwealth  would  sit  as  required  by  law. 
The  General  Assembly  would  continue  its  work,  and  the  members  of  that 
body  who  had  voted  for  the  bill  that  violated  the  Constitution  would 
not  be  disturbed  in  their  places  until  their  terms  ended  and,  perhaps,  not 
even  then.  Nobody  would  for  one  moment  think  that  the  bonds  of  govern- 
ment were  broken,  that  the.  Commonwealth  had  collapsed,  that  the  town- 
ships or  counties  of  the  state  were  left  to  wander  about  in  space  at  their 
own  volition,  or  that  the  reign  of  law  had  ended.  Why  a  contrary  rule 
should  apply  to  the  case  of  the  Junior  Order  United  American  Mechanics 
it  is  impossible  to  conceive.  The  alteration  of  the  '  Objects  of  the  Order  ' 
was  a  thing  too  high  for  the  National  Council  to  effect.  It  could  not 
be  accomplished  except  by  the  consent  of  the  majority  of  the  members 
of  the  Order.  Until  their  acquiescence  was  obtained,  the  tampering  of 
the  National  Council  with  that  part  of  the  fundamental  compact  did  not 
change  it.  In  other  respects,  however,  the  National  Council  could  and 
did  alter  the  Constitution.  Where  this  was  the  case,  their  enactments 
were  operative  and  effective.  Where  the  former  laws  of  the  Order  were 
not  inconsistent  with  these  changes,  those  laws  continued  in  operation, 
and  with  them  any  new  laws  constitutionally  enacted  by  either  the 
National  Council  or  the  State  Council.  Insofar,  therefore,  as  the  State 
Judiciary  depends  for  its  existence  on  the  proposition  that  the  laws  of 
the  Order  were  abrogated  and  annulled  and  the  Order  disbanded  by  the 
attempted  alteration  of  its  '  Objects '  by  the  National  Council,  its  status, 
rights  and  powers  cannot  be  successfully  questioned." 

The  Court  treated  the  other  two  objections  in  like  manner, 
denying  the  argument  presented  by  the  counsel  for  the  defendant, 
and  decided  that  the  punishment  inflicted  on  the  said  Council  by 
the  State  Judiciary  was  legally  imposed,  that  it  was  a  proper 
punishment  under  the  existing  laws  of  the  Order,  therefore  James 
G.  Blaine  Council  ceased  to  exist,  so  far  as  any  rights  in  the 
Jr.  0.  IT.  A.  M.  was  concerned,  on  January  6,  1903.  The  Court 
further  declared  that  the  money  in  the  hands  of  said  Council  when 
its  charter  was  revoked  was  simply  a  trust  fund,  and  that  the 
effect  of  the  revocation  of  the  warrant  of  the  Council  on  said  prop- 
erty was  merely  to  substitute  the  State  Council  of  Pennsylvania  in 
its  place  as  succeeding  trustee  of  the  fund.  All  property,  para- 
phernalia, etc.,  at  the  same  time  reverted  to  the  State  Council. 

Judge  Audenried,  however,  decided  that  all  money  and  property 
acquired  by  the  said  Council  after  the  revocation  of  its  charter 
did  not  belong  to  the  State  Council  of  Pennsylvania,  as  the  said 
Council  did  not  exist  subsequent  to  the  revocation,  and  so  far  as 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  181 

the  State  Council  was  concerned,  it  was  a  disbanded  council  and  the 
plaintiff  had  no  right  to  its  property  secured  after  its  charter  had 
been  revoked.     The  jurist  then  concluded  his  opinion : 

"  The  contributors  of  this  money  had  manifestly  no  end  in  view 
but  their  own  private  purposes  when  they  paid  it  to  the  defendant  cor- 
poration. The  money  they  paid  is  held  for  them  by  the  defendant  upon 
whatever  trust  was  agreed  upon  between  it  and  them;  and  with  that 
money  the  plaintiff  has  no  concern  either  as  beneficial  owner  or  as  suc- 
ceeding trustee." 

WILMER  CROW  VS.  CAPITAL  CITY  COUNCIL 

Wilmer  Crow,  who  was  expelled  from  Capital  City  Council 
by  order  of  the  National  Judiciary,  resisted  the  decree  by  petition- 
ing the  Court  of  Common  Pleas  of  Dauphin  County,  Pa.,  for  a 
mandamus  upon  the  aforesaid  Council  to  restore  him  to  member- 
ship. The  cause  was  heard  before  the  Court  without  a  jury,  which 
resulted  in  a  judgment  for  the  plaintiff  and  that  a  peremptory  writ 
of  mandamus  be  issued,  from  which  judgment  the  defendant 
Council,  through  its  counsel,  A.  D.  Wilkin,  Esq.,  took  an  appeal 
to  the  Superior  Court  of  the  state.  The  case  was  heard  before 
that  tribunal,  and  in  an  opinion  by  Judge  Orlady,  the  lower  Court 
was  reversed  and  the  writ  of  mandamus  lifted. 

After  citing  the  causes  that  brought  about  the  expulsion  of 
the  said  Crow,  he  having  violated  the  Supreme  Laws  of  the  Order, 
and  failing  to  appear  before  the  National  Judiciary,  and  when 
found  guilty  not  taking  advantage  of  the  provisions  of  the  laws 
of  the  Order  in  asking  a  rehearing,  the  Court  not  only  affirmed 
the  right  of  the  Order  to  exercise  strict  disciplinary  authority  over 
its  members,  but  the  power  of  the  Order's  Court  of  last  resort, 
the  National  Judiciary,  to  decide  all  controversies  between  mem- 
bers of  the  grand  or  subordinate  Councils.  The  learned  jurist 
then  adds: 

"  The  decision  of  such  courts  of  last  resort  must  be  accepted  and 
obeyed  as  representing  what  is  best  for  the  organization.  In  interpreting 
the  rules  and  regulations  prescribed  by  their  laws,  the  civil  courts  are 
always  inclined  to  sustain  them,  and  mere  informality  in  the  proceedings 
for  removal  will  not  justify  interference  by  mandamus  when  it  is  evident 
that  there  was  just  grounds  for  expulsion  and  that  the  accused  has  been 
acting  in  hostility  to  the  organization." 

In  substance  the  Court  held  that  Crow  had  been  accorded  a 
full  and  fair  hearing,  the  proceedings  of  the  National  Judiciary 
being  regular  and  conducted  in  "  good  faith,"  and  the  proper  find- 
ings and  judgment  had  been  entered  therefore  denying  that  there 
was  any  ground  for  a  mandamus. 


CHAPTER   XII 

THE    CONFLICT    AT    THE    CROSSING    OF 
THE   CENTURIES    (Concluded) 

New  Jersey  Withdraws  from  the  National  Council 

y  WENTY-TWO  members  of  the  National  Council,  composing 
1  the  delegation  from  New  Jersey,  answered  to  roll-call  at 
Minneapolis  June  20,  1899.  With  one  exception,  Brother  W.  J. 
Smythe,  the  delegation  was  generally  a  unit  in  their  opposition 
to  the  measures  adopted  at  the  session,  and  the  preliminary  sug- 
gestion of  revolt  came  from  a  member  of  the  delegation.  Follow- 
ing the  adoption  of  the  new  laws,  two  statutes  were  adopted,  one 
relative  to  certain  amendments  concerning  the  National  Orphans' 
Home  and  the  other  as  to  loaning  $5,000  to  the  Board  of  Control 
of  the  Beneficiary  Degree.  The  records  show  that  New  Jersey 
"  sulked  in  the  camp  "  as  to  the  first  bill,  but  two,  Rollinson  and 
Smythe,  voting  aye,  while  the  remainder  of  the  delegation  refused 
to  vote  at  all.  On  bill  No.  2,  Smythe  voted  aye,  while  10  of  the 
balance  of  the  delegation  voted  nay. 

Filled  with  bitter  resentment  towards  the  administration  and 
wholly  disliking  the  legislation  enacted,  the  brothers  from  New 
Jersey  left  the  session  with  the  determination  to  rebel  against  the 
mandates  of  the  National  Council.  Before  leaving,  however,  a 
caucus  of  the  malcontents  was  held,  where  plans  were  formulated 
looking  towards  resistance  to  the  National  Council,  and  a  meeting 
was  arranged  to  be  held  in  the  City  of  Trenton,  New  Jersey,  to 
promulgate  their  treasonable  designs.  To  such  an  extent  were 
the  purposes  of  the  dissatisfied  members  of  the  National  Body  a 
settled  fact,  that  in  the  corridor  of  the  hotel,  one  of  the  New  Jersey 
Past  State  Councilors  confided  to  the  writer,  or  rather  uttered  the 
threat,  that  they  would  put  the  National  Council  "  out  of  business  " 
by  having  Pennsylvania,  New  Jersey,  New  York,  Virginia  and  the 
District  of  Columbia  withdraw  their  support  from  the  National 
Body. 

Following  the  meeting  held  in  Trenton,  some  time  subsequent 
to  the  National  session  at  Minneapolis,  circulars,  incendiary  in 
their  character,  signed  by  Pike,  of  Pennsylvania;  Miers,  of  New 
Jersey;  Keeton,  of  Virginia;  Boyden,  of  the  District  of  Columbia, 
and  Parker,  of  New  York,  were  sent  broadcast  throughout  the  dis- 
182 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  183 

affected  states  villifying  the  National  Council  and  asking  the 
Councils  to  instruct  their  Representatives  to  the  State  Council  to 
vote  against  the  payment  of  any  further  National  Council  tax,  and 
to  refuse  to  recognize  or  accept  the  new  laws.  About  the  same 
time  there  came  forth  a  nondescript  "  sheet,"  with  no  name  of 
either  publisher  or  editor  printed  thereon,  known  as  the  "  New 
Jersey  Junior  American  Mechanic — Pennsylvania  Edition,"  which 
paper  added  much  to  the  spread  of  rebellious  sentiments  by  the 
publication  of  the  basest  fabrications  and  bitterest  innuendoes.  To 
what  extent  the  members  of  New  Jersey  were  responsible  for  the 
existence  of  the  paper  and  the  gross  misrepresentations  it  con- 
tained, we  are  unable  to  state,  but  it  brought  woe  to  certain  mem- 
bers from  Pennsylvania  who,  because  of  their  part  in  the  publica- 
tion of  articles  in  same,  were  expelled  from  the  Order. 

The  State  Council  of  New  Jersey  met  in  annual  session,  the 
thirty-first,  at  Trenton,  October  25,  1899,  at  which  time  the  State 
Body  carried  out  the  same  procedure  that  characterized  the  action 
of  the  State  Council  of  Pennsylvania  the  month  previous,  by 
adopting  the  following  recommendations  as  submitted  by  the  Board 
of  Officers: 

1.  "  That  this  State  Council  refuse  to  accept  or  recognize  in  any 
manner  the  laws  adopted  by  the  National  Council  at  Minneapolis  session 
or  any  other  acts  of  said  session. 

2.  "  That  the  Board  of  Officers  be  instructed  to  refuse  to  pay  any 
per  capita  tax  whatever  to  the  National  Council  until  it  has  rescinded  its 
illegally  adopted  and  objectionable  laws.  Furthermore,  that  we  demand 
fair  and  full  representation  in  the  National  Council  according  to  our 
membership  and  taxation. 

3.  "  That  the  Board  of  Officers  be  instructed  to  engage  legal  counsel, 
if  in  their  judgment  it  is  deemed  best  for  the  protection  of  our  interests 
in  the  Order,  and  to  authorize  the  taking  of  such  legal  proceedings  as  may 
be  necessary  for  the  protection  of  the  State  Council,  each  Subordinate 
Council  and  any  member  thereof,  against  any  interference  whatever  by 
the  National  Council  or  its  officers." 

Previous  to  the  meeting  of  the  State  Council,  National  Coun- 
cilor Charles  Reimer  instructed  the  Deputy  National  Councilor 
for  New  Jersey,  Albert  Robinson,  of  Allentown,  N.  J.,  to  refuse 
to  install  the  officers  of  said  State  Council  in  the  event  of  any  in- 
subordinate act  on  the  part  of  the  State  Council  by  refusal  or 
failure  to  comply  with  the  Supreme  Law.  The  same  instructions 
had  been  given  the  Deputies  for  Pennsylvania  and  Virginia,  and 
were  complied  with;  but  very  unexpectedly,  the  Deputy  for  New 
Jersey  resigned  his  office,  and,  as  the  National  Councilor  puts  it, 
"  and  at  such  a  time  as  to  lead  me  to  believe  that  he  did  so  for 


184  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

the  purpose  of  preventing  the  National  Council  from  being  repre- 
sented at  the  session  of  the  State  Council  which  was  held  on  the 
25th  of  October." 

On  the  receipt  of  the  resignation  of  the  Deputy,  which  was 
on  the  morning  of  the  day  the  State  Council  of  New  Jersey  con- 
vened, the  National  Councilor  appointed  Past  State  Councilor 
J.  T.  Bitter,  of  Maryland,  in  his  place;  but  as  he  could  not  attend 
until  the  next  day,  October  26,  the  Deputy,  upon  his  arrival  at 
Trenton,  learned  that  the  State  Council  had  adjourned  sine  die 
the  night  before,  having  been  in  session  but  a  single  day.  One 
section  of  the  letter  in  which  was  contained  the  resignation  of  Kob- 
inson,  is  significant: 

"  I  regret  the  conditions  which  make  this  step  necessary.  It  is  one 
thing  to  urge  upon  the  members  of  the  State  Council  the  policy  of  sub- 
mitting temporarily  to  unfair  laws  that  deprive  us  of  our  rightful  repre- 
sentation; it  is  another  to  be  a  party  to  inflicting  penalties  upon  those 
who,  feeling  that  '  taxation  without  representation  is  tyranny,'  propose  to 
withhold  taxation  until  their  wrongs  are  righted." 

Having  committed  an  act  of  insubordination,  the  National 
Councilor  preferred  charges  against  the  State  Council  of  New 
Jersey,  and  mailed  same  in  registered  letter  to  William  H.  Miers, 
State  Council  Secretary,  but  that  officer  refused  to  receive  the 
letter,  whereupon  the  National  Councilor  appointed  Brother  Robert 
Ogle,  Special  Deputy  National  Councilor,  and  instructed  him  to 
deliver  said  letter,  with  the  copy  of  charges,  in  person  to  the  State 
Council  Secretary,  which  he  did. 

Prior  to  the  sitting  of  the  National  Judiciary  to  hear  the  case, 
another  session  of  the  State  Council  of  New  Jersey  was  held,  Octo- 
ber 24,  1900,  in  the  City  of  Trenton,  at  which  time  the  State  Coun- 
cil added  to  the  charge  of  insubordination  and  rebellion  that  of 
attempting  to  accomplish  rebellion,  as  per  the  following  recom- 
mendations submitted  by  the  "  Committee  on  National  Council " : 

"  First.  That  all  relations  alleged  to  exist  between  the  State  Council 
of  New  Jersey,  Jr.  0.  U.  A.  M.,  and  the  National  Council  be  and  the  same 
are  hereby  terminated. 

"  Second.  That  the  laws  known  as  the  General  Laws  and  the  National 
Constitution,  now  in  our  books  of  laws,  or  in  any  way  emanating  from 
the  National  Council,  be  and  the  same  are  hereby  declared  null  and  void  and 
stricken  out;  furthermore,  all  clauses  or  words  in  the  State  Council  Con- 
stitution, State  Council  By-Laws,  Rules  of  Order,  Subordinate  Council 
Constitution,  Subordinate  Council  By-Laws,  that  in  any  way  or  manner 
refer  to  said  General  Laws,  National  Constitution  or  National  Council,  be 
and  the  same  are  hereby  declared  null  and  void  and  stricken  out  of  said 
laws. 


UNITED  AMERICAN   MECHANICS  185 

"Third.  That  all  clau.se>  or  words  in  the  Ritual  or  Private  Work 
of  the  Order,  that  in  any  manner  or  way  refer  to  the  National  Council, 
be  and  the  same  are  hereby  stricken  out  of  said  Ritual  or  Private  Work, 
and  no  longer  to  be  used  in  the  work  of  said  Order. 

"  Fourth.  That  the  incoming  Board  of  Otlicers  be  instructed  to  engage 
legal  counsel,  if  in  their  judgment  it  be  deemed  best  for  the  protection 
of  our  interests  in  the  Order,  and  to  authorize  the  taking  of  such  legal 
proceedings  as  may  be  necessary  for  the  protection  of  this  State  Council, 
each  and  every  Subordinate  Council,  and  every  member  thereof,  against 
any  interference  whatever  by  the  National  CouncW,  or  its  officers  or  agents. 

"Fifth.  That  the  incoming  Board  of  Ofiicers  have  full  power  to 
secure  such  legislation  at  the  next  session  of  the  Legislature  of  New  Jersey 
as  may  be  necessary  for  the  better  protection  of  the  Order  in  this  State, 
if  such  may  be  required. 

"  Sixth.  That  the  incoming  Board  of  Officers  be  and  the  same  are 
hereby  instructed  to  prepare  a  set  of  laws  for  the  government  of  the  Order 
in  this  State,  strictly  in  accordance  with  our  Charter  from  the  Legislature 
of  New  Jersey  and  the  Statute  Laws  of  this  State,  with  the  assistance  of 
their  attorneys,  that  there  may  be  no  mistake  or  laws  proposed  or  adopted 
that  are  in  conflict  with  provisions  of  our  Charter  or  Laws  of  New  Jersey. 

"  That  they  have  the  same  printed,  and  a  copy  sent  to  each  member 
of  this  body  and  two  copies  to  each  Council ;  and  if  in  their  judgment 
it  is  deemed  best,  to  call  a  special  session  to  act  on  these.  Provided,  That 
the  laws  shall  be  sent  out  as  above  thirty  days  before  the  special  or 
annual  session. 

"  Seventh.  That  the  incoming  Board  of  Officers  be  authorized  to 
enter  into  a  compact  with  the  Boards  of  Officers  of  New  York,  Pennsyl- 
vania, Virginia  and  District  of  Columbia,  for  the  protection  and  advance- 
ment of  the  Order,  and  such  other  States  as  are  willing  to  join  with  us 
and  States  named  above." 

STATE  COUNCIL  CHARTER  OF  NEW  JERSEY  REVOKED 

The  service  of  an  amended  petition  to  include  the  action  of 
the  State  Council  of  1900,  having  been  duly  made  upon  the  defen- 
dant, a  special  sitting  of  the  National  Judiciary  was  held  at  the 
City  of  Trenton,  December  8,  1900,  to  consider  the  charges. 
Brother  A.  D.  Wilkin  appeared  for  the  petitioners,  but  the  de- 
fendant State  Officers  of  New  Jersey  treated  the  Court  with  con- 
tempt by  not  making  an  appearance.  The  hearing  took  place  based 
on  the  actions  of  the  two  sessions  of  the  State  Council,  as  above 
quoted,  and  the  printed  proceedings  of  same. 

The  contention  of  the  State  Council  was,  that  the  act  of  in- 
corporation obtained  by  it  and  held  by  it  from  the  State  of  New 
Jersey,  conferred  the  power  upon  those  in  whose  possession  it 
might  be,  of  abrogating  at  will  the  contract  existing  between  it 
and  the  National  Council,  thereby  cutting  the  tie  that  bound  the 
two,  absolving  the  members  of  the  said  State  Council  and  all  it 
represented. 


186  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

This  position  of  the  State  Council,  in  the  opinion  of  the 
National  Judiciary  was  considered  untenable.  In  support  of  this 
conclusion,  the  Court  gave  a  resume  of  the  historical  status  of  the 
Order,  showing  that  from  the  organization  of  Washington  Council, 
No.  1,  of  Pennsylvania,  in  1853,  to  the  institution  of  the  National 
Council  in  1869,  each  in  turn,  including  the  State  Council  of  Penn- 
sylvania, was  Supreme,  the  latter  organization  being  composed  of 
three  State  Councils,  viz. :  Pennsylvania,  Delaware  and  New  Jer- 
sey, and  in  the  organization  of  the  National  Council,  the  Court 
held  that  each  of  the  State  Councils  surrendered  to  the  National 
Body  all  of  the  powers  possessed  by  them  in  whatsoever  kind  or 
description,  and  then  received  back  from  the  Supreme  Body  such 
prerogatives  and  powers  as  it  then  and  thereafter  possessed. 

To  show  that  there  is  no  reservation  of  power  in  a  State 
Council,  but  a  grant  of  power  to  it  by  the  National  Council  when 
organized,  a  clause  in  the  charter  granted  to  a  State  Council  was 
cited,  which  is  as  follows : 

"  By  virtue  of  a  charter  granted  by  the  National  Council,  of  the 

United  States  of  North  America,  it  is  the  Legislative  head  of  the  Order  in 

with  power  to  make  its  own  constitution  and  laws  and  those  of 

subordinate  Councils  under  its  jurisdiction,  provided  they  conform  to  the 

laws  of  the  National  Council." 

Continuing  their  opinion,  the  National  Judiciary  contended 
that 

"  It  is  an  universally  accepted  dictum  of  the  Courts  of  our  land, 
that  they  will  not  interfere  in  the  internal  affairs  of  associations,  similar 
in  character  and  purpose  to  our  own,  unless  in  some  way  civil  law  be 
offended  or  the  rights  of  members,  under  civil  or  association  law  be  violated. 

"  If  the  Courts  of  our  land  hold  the  ground  upon  which  we  lawfully 
stand  to  be  sacred  from  them,  then  there  seems  to  be  no  good  reason 
why  Legislatures  should  be  permitted  to  lawfully  trespass  upon  it.  If, 
however,  it  be  lawful  for  Legislatures  to  do  what  the  Courts  hold  to  be 
an  impropriety  or  an  impossibility  for  them  to  do,  then  there  remains 
one  safeguard,  which  even  Legislatures  cannot  override — the  obligations 
of  a  contract— rendered  inviolable,  as  these  are  by  the  highest  organic  law." 

Judgment  having  been  found  in  favor  of  the  petitioner,  the 
Court  ordered  that  the  properly  authorized  officers  of  said  State 
Council  pay  all  per  capita  tax  due  the  National  Council  by  the  15th 
of  January,  1901 ;  and,  further,  that  the  said  State  Council  on  or 
before  same  date,  shall  reassemble  in  special  session,  and  rescind 
all  and  every  action  taken  by  it  to  erect  the  State  Council  of  New 
Jersey  into  a  body  independent  of  and  superior  to  the  National 
Council  of  the  Order,  the  body  which  created  it;  and  that  after 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  187 

rescinding  such  actions  as  referred  to  and  making  provision  to  pay 
the  per  capita  tax,  no  other  business  shall  be  enacted  at  said  special 
session.  It  was  further  ordered,  that  in  the  event  of  the  State 
Council  failing  to  obey  the  decree  of  said  Judiciary,  its  charter 
shall  be  revoked.  This  opinion  was  rendered  December  13,  1900. 
The  decree,  however,  was  not  obeyed,  and  on  January  17,  1901, 
the  National  Councilor  proclaimed  that  the  charter  of  said  State 
Council  was  revoked. 

DECISION   OF   COURT   OF   CHANCERY 

The  next  move  in  the  "  checker-board  "  of  litigation  apper- 
taining to  New  Jersey,  was  in  the  Court  of  Chancery,  in  which 
tribunal  the  National  Council  was  represented  by  Hon.  Barton  B. 
Hutchinson  and  Charles  L.  Corbin,  Esqs.  The  bill  was  filed  April 
17,  1901,  before  Vice-Chancellor  Pitney,  who  advised  an  order  re- 
quiring the  defendant  State  Council  to  show  cause,  on  May  6, 
why  an  injunction  should  not  be  issued  according  to  the  prayer 
of  the  complainant,  restraining  the  officers  of  said  defendant  State 
Council  from  making  any  payment  or  disposition  of  the  monies 
collected  in  1899,  to  any  person  or  persons  but  the  complainant. 
The  cause,  however,  was  removed  to  the  United  States  Court,  and 
the  rule  was  not  brought  to  a  hearing.  After  some  delay,  the 
cause  was  remanded  to  the  Court  of  Chancery,  and  by  an  order 
dated  January  2,  1902,  the  cause  was  referred  to  Vice-Chancellor 
Pitney.  The  defendants  made  a  motion  that  so  much  of  the  order 
that  restrained  them  from  paying  the  monies  to  any  other  than  the 
National  Council,  be  set  aside,  and  on  tins  motion  a  hearing 
was  had  before  the  Chancellor,  the  Vice-Chancellor  being  otherwise 
engaged.  However,  before  the  decision  as  to  setting  aside  the  order 
was  rendered,  a  full  hearing  was  had  on  the  entire  case  before  the 
full  court.  Subsequently  the  Chancellor  rendered  his  decision 
relative  to  the  motion,  which  was  denied. 

The  case  proper  was  hotly  contested  and  Vice-Chancellor  Pit- 
ney, on  January  23,  1903,  rendered  the  decision,  which  was  against 
the  National  Council,  Justice  Dixon,  however,  dissenting.  A  brief 
reference  to  the  cause  and  the  points  of  the  decision  are  given 
below : 

It  was  alleged  by  the  complainant  that  the  defendant  State 
Council  had,  in  1899,  levied  and  collected  the  usual  National  Coun- 
cil per  capita  tax,  but  had  withheld  same,  therefore  having  in  trust 
certain  amount  of  money  due  the  National  Council.  The  defen- 
dant denied  that  it  had  levied  a  tax  for  that  purpose.     However  it 


188  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

admitted  that  it  had  levied  a  per  capita  tax  in  October,  1899,  but 
that  it  had  thrown  off  its  allegiance  to,  and  dissolved  its  connection 
with  the  National  Council  before  it  levied  any  tax  on  the  members 
of  the  Subordinate  Councils  of  the  state.  It  was  shown  by  the 
complainant  that  the  defendant  State  Council  had,  in  1898,  levied 
a  per  capita  tax  of  40  cents,  25  cents  of  which  had  been  paid  to  the 
National  Council,  and  this  was  admitted  by  the  defendant.  It  was 
also  shown  from  the  proceedings  of  the  State  Council  of  New  Jer- 
sey for  1899  that  it  had  levied  the  same  amount,  as  per  the  fol- 
lowing resolution: 

"  State  Council  Secretary  Miers  moved  that  the  per  capita  tax  for 
the  ensuing  year  be  the  same  as  last  year — forty  cents  per  member,  payable 
semi-annually;  one-half  in  January,  1900,  and  the  balance  in  July,  1900; 
which  was  agreed  to." 

From  this  the  plaintiff  in  the  case  claimed  that  the  amount 
being  the  same  as  levied  the  previous  year,  especially  when  worded 
"  the  same  as  last  year,  40  cents  per  member,"  had  the  effect  of 
embodying  in  it  the  same  details  that  were  embodied  in  the  resolu- 
tion adopted  in  1898  and  that  the  monies  collected  in  1899  were 
impressed  with  the  same  trust  as  those  levied  in  1898.  This  was, 
therefore,  the  main  question  at  issue,  whether  the  monies  collected 
as  per  levy  in  1899,  were  impressed  with  a  trust  in  favor  of  the 
National  Council. 

The  defendant  averred  that  considering  the  whole  situation, 
the  rebellious  attitude  and  the  rebellious  resolutions  passed  by  the 
State  Council,  the  assumption  that  the  National  Council  expenses 
would  be  much  larger  so  that  the  40  cents  levied  would  not  have 
met  the  demand,  etc.,  was  presumption  enough  that  the  tax  levied 
was  not  for  the  purpose  and  with  the  view  of  paying  the  usual 
National  Council  tax. 

In  rendering  the  decision  of  the  Court  the  Vice- Chancellor, 
in  every  point,  favored  the  contention  of  the  defendant.  On  the 
main  point,  the  Court  had  this  to  say : 

"  In  considering  this  question  it  must  be  borne  in  mind  that  the 
relation  between  the  parties  is  purely  a  voluntary  one.  The  constitution 
of  the  National  Council  provides  for  the  collection  of  a  tax  in  the  manner 
hereinbefore  stated;  but  it  is  hardly  necessary  to  remark  that  it  has  no 
power  to  enforce  it.  .  .  .  Any  member  may  withdraw  at  any  time. 
The  adhesive  power  which  holds  these  several  bodies  together  is  the  sup- 
posed benefit  (referring  to  the  membership  in  the  Subordinate  Councils  and 
their  relation  to  the  State  Council)  first  to  the  individual  members  by 
reason  of  their  membership;  then  the  Subordinate  Council  by  reason  of  its 
connection  with  the  State  Council;  and  then  the  State  Council  by  reason 
of  the  benefit  supposed  to  be  derived  by  its  connection  with  the  National 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  189 

Council.  The  relation,  indeed,  between  them  is  quasi  contractual;  but  1 
can  find  no  warrant  anywhere  in  the  case,  nor  in  the  law  applicable  thereto, 
for  the  notion  that  the  National  Council  could  bring  an  action  at  law 
against  any  State  Council  and  recover  damages  for  its  refusal  to  collect 
any  tax  which  the  National  Council  mag  impose.  Whatever  right  of  that 
sort  exists  is  unenforceable  by  legal  action;  and  hence  the  complainant 
was  compelled  to  put  its  case  upon  the  ground  of  a  trust  for  money  had 
and  received." 

The  Court,  after  stating  thai  a  State  Council  in  assessing  and 

collecting  the  per  capita  tax  for  the  expressed  purpose  of  meeting 

the  demands  of  the  National  Council  becomes  an  agent  or  trustee 

for  said  National  Body,  continues: 

"It  is  not  enough  to  warrant  a  recovery  that  the  State  Council  has 
collected  moneys  by  tax,  for  the  simple  reason  that  it  has  occasion  to  use 
money  for  its  own  purposes.  And  the  mere  fact  that  it  has  money  in  the 
treasury,  from  whatever  source,  does  not  create  a  liability,  either  at  law 
or  in  equity,  to  pay  it  over  to  the  National  Council.  It  must,  as  I  have 
said,  be  levied  and  collected  expressly  for  the  purpose  of  meeting  that 
tax." 

The  Court,  in  conclusion,  claimed  that  the  National  Council 
had  failed  to  make  out  its  case  establishing  the  fact  that  the  money 
collected  by  the  State  Council  was  a  trust;  neither  did  it  make  it 
clear  that  the  money  collected  in  1899  was  intended  to  include  and 
did  include  the  National  per  capita  tax,  hence  dismissed  the  bill. 

The  National  Council  appealed  the  case  to  the  Court  of  Errors 
and  Appeals,  which  tribunal,  on  January  23,  1904,  rendered  its 
decision,  simply  affirming  the  decision  of  the  Court  of  Chancery. 

THE  STATE  COUNCIL  OF  NEW  YORK  INSUBORDINATE 

The  same  insubordinate  spirit  that  existed  in  the  other  states 
heretofore  referred  to,  was  manifested  in  the  State  of  New  York, 
but  in  a  somewhat  different  manner.  New  York  furnished  a  few 
very  rabid  leaders  in  the  beginning  of  the  strife,  and  they  were 
conspicuously  active  as  well  as  prominent  in  their  endeavors  to 
disrupt  the  Order ;  but  to-day  they  are  inconspicuous,  forgotten  and 
"unsung."  Other  members,  however,  of  both  the  National  and 
State  Councils,  although  they  had  for  years  been  working  and  vot- 
ing with  the  anti-administration  people,  and  at  the  same  time  were 
not  in  sympathy  with  the  action  of  the  Minneapolis  session,  were 
not  disposed  to  rule  and  vote  themselves  out  of  the  Order  by  any 
insubordinate  act,  but  in  the  sessions  of  their  State  Council,  follow- 
ing the  break  of  1899,  stood  resolutely  for  regularity  and  obedience 
to  the  mandates  of  the  National  Body,  believing,  with  all  true 


190  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

Juniors,  that  the  place  to  settle  grievances  was  within  the  Order, 
and  that  if  the  Minneapolis  session  had  erred,  the  proper  place  to 
rectify  the  wrongs  was  in  a  special  or  regular  meeting  of  the  same 
body.  Among  those  who  were  loyal  might  be  named,  Brothers 
W.  C.  Anderson,  Charles  A.  Jaggar,  Ira  W.  Jinkins,  of  the  National 
Council,  and  Brothers  0.  L.  Forrester,  Jas.  W.  Cheshire  and  Jas. 
C.  Brower,  of  the  State  Body. 

The  first  act  of  disobedience  to  the  mandates  of  the  National 
Council  was  shown  at  the  State  Council  meeting,  held  in  the  City  of 
Lockport,  N.  Y.,  September  4,  1899,  at  which  session  the  following 
resolution  was  unanimously  adopted : 

"  That  the  question  of  paying  the  per  capita  tax  to  the  National 
Council  be  submitted  to  the  members  of  the  Order  in  the  State,  the  various 
Councils  vote  upon  the  same  at  the  last  meeting  in  January,  1900,  the 
official  action  to  be  decided  by  the  majority  vote  of  the  members." 

In  view  of  said  action,  National  Councilor  Brother  Charles  F. 
Reeves  formulated  charges  against  the  State  Council  for  wilfully 
failing  to  comply  with  the  enactment  of  the  National  Council  to 
levy  and  collect  the  National  Council  per  capita  tax  and  pay  same 
over  to  the  National  Secretary.  A  special  sitting  of  the  National 
Judiciary  was  ordered  for  December  8,  1889,  with  Judges  Eddy  and 
Gilcreast  sitting,  Judge  Barry  not  sitting  because  of  being  in  attend- 
ance at  the  State  Council  as  D.  N.  C, — A.  D.  Wilkins,  Esq.,  ap- 
pearing for  the  National  Councilor.  The  defendants  not  appearing, 
the  trial  proceeded  without  them. 

The  National  Judiciary,  in  its  opinion,  relative  to  the  reso- 
lution, as  above  stated,  had  this  to  say  of  this  unusual  proceeding : 

"  For  this  action  of  the  State  Council  of  New  York,  there  was  no 
warrant  in  the  Laws  of  the  Order,  State  or  National,  as  these  laws  existed 
prior  to  the  Minneapolis  session,  or  as  adopted  at  said  session.  When 
once  the  votes  of  the  Councils  of  the  jurisdiction  had  been  received  by 
the  State  Council  Officers,  such  vote  could  be  taken  by  them  as  nothing 
more  than  an  expression  of  opinion  or  desire  on  the  part  of  the  member- 
ship within  the  jurisdiction  of  New  York." 

The  counsel  for  the  National  Council  placed  before  the 
Judicatory  tribunal  the  proceedings  of  the  session  of  the  New 
York  State  Council  held  at  the  City  of  Rome,  September  3,  1900, 
in  which  the  following  recommendation  was  made  by  Brother 
W.  C.  Anderson,  one  of  the  National  Representatives: 

"  I,  therefore,  recommend  that  in  consideration  of  the  duty  we  owe 
the  author  of  our  existence  under  whose  supervision  we  have  passed  through 
years  of  prosperity,  being  privileged  to  aid  in  advancing  our  principles 
into  every  state  in  the  Union,  and  in  the  interest  of  a  united  organization, 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  191 

we  affirm  our  allegiance  to  the  National  Council,  Jr.  O.  U.  A.  M.  of  the 
United  States  of  America,  and  direct  our  Board  of  Officers  to  pay  to  the 
National  Council  the  amount  of  per  capita  tax  due  that  body  for  the 
year  1899,  and  all  other  indebtedness  for  which  the  State  Council  is  or 
may  become  liable." 

This  recommendation  seems  to  have  been  the  minority  report 
of  a  committee  appointed  on  the  subject,  as  Brother  Forrester 
moved  "that  the  minority  report  of  National  Representative 
William  C.  Anderson  be  adopted  and  the  recommendation  be  con- 
curred in."  This  motion  was  ruled  out  of  order  on  the  ground 
that  the  matter  having  been  referred  to  the  membership,  and  by  a 
large  majority  they  had  voted  not  to  pay  the  per  capita  tax,  the 
State  Council  could  not  override  the  action  of  the  Order  at  large 
without  referring  the  question  back  again  to  the  Subordinate 
Councils.  The  point  of  order  was  raised,  that  the  State  Council 
was  a  member  of  the  National  Council,  and  that  the  vote  taken 
did  not  sever  the  relationship  of  the  members  from  the  National 
Council,  which  was  decided  not  well  taken  by  the  presiding  officer. 
From  this  decision,  Brother  Anderson  took  an  appeal  which,  on 
being  discussed,  and  it  being  understood  that  a  vote  thereon  should 
determine  the  question  involved,  the  result  was  that  the  State 
Councilor's  decision  was  sustained  by  a  vote  of  112  to  94,  which 
vote  defeated  the  minority  report,  or  Brother  Anderson's  recom- 
mendation. 

The  Court  took  what  evidence  it  had,  the  printed  proceedings, 
and  based  its  opinion  upon  this  extraordinary  and  unprecedented 
action,  stating  that  while  there  was  no  proof  that  the  State  Council 
had  sought  to  sever  its  relations  with  the  National  Body,  or  to  set 
itself  up  within  the  jurisdiction  of  the  state  as  superior  to  the 
National  Council,  yet  it  was  clear  that  "  they  have  wandered  dan- 
gerously near  that  line."  It  was  clear  to  the  Court  that  the  State 
Body  had  refused  to  pay  the  per  capita  tax. 

After  reciting  the  procedure  of  the  State  Council  in  their 
action  of  referring  the  question  to  the  membership  whether  to  pay 
the  National  Council  tax  or  not,  and  it  appearing  that  the  majority 
of  the  members  had  voted  not  to  pay  same,  therefore  assuming  that 
it  was  impossible  for  tbe  State  Board  of  Officers  to  have  paid  it  even 
had  they  desired,  the  Court  concluded  its  opinion  by  saying : 

"As  suggested  above,  both  the  conclusion  of  the  State  Board  of  Offi- 
cers and  of  the  State  Council,  was  invalid  and  without  foundation,  because 
the  submission  of  the  question  to  the  Councils  being  without  warrant  of 
law  the  result  of  that  submission  must  of  necessity  have  been  without  force 
or  effect." 


192  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

By  order  of  the  Court,  the  State  Council  was  suspended,  pend- 
ing the  payment  of  the  National  Council  per  capita  tax  by  the  18th 
day  of  January,  1901.  In  the  event  of  failure  to  pay  same,  the 
State  Council  charter  was  to  be  revoked;  whereupon,  on  account 
of  not  obeying  the  order,  the  National  Councilor  on  January  21, 
1901,  declared  the  charter  revoked. 

A   NEW  STATE   COUNCIL   OF   NEW  YORK   INSTITUTED 

On  February  12,  190],  a  new  State  Council  of  New  York  was 
instituted,  with  Brother  0.  E.  Forrester  as  State  Councilor  and 
George  W.  Shaefer  as  State  Council  Secretary.  On  March  5,  fol- 
lowing, Lewis  F.  Page,  alleging  that  he  was  the  secretary  of  a  cor- 
poration known  as  the  State  Council  of  the  Junior  Order  of 
United  American  Mechanics  of  the  State  of  New  York,  asked  of  the 
Court  an  injunction,  restraining  the  officers  of  the  new  State 
Council  from  using  the  name  "  Junior  Order  of  United  American 
Mechanics,"  as  well  as  the  terms  "  State  Councilor,"  "  State  Coun- 
cil Secretary,"  etc.  The  question  of  making  the  injunction  per- 
manent was  argued  April  1,  1901,  which  was  denied  by  the  Court, 
the  order  dissolving  the  temporary  injunction  which  had  rested 
upon  the  officers  of  the  new  State  Council,  being  signed  June  27, 
1901. 

On  the  10th  day  of  July  following,  the  National  Councilor, 
Brother  A.  L.  Cray,  in  virtue  of  the  powers  vested  in  him,  de- 
manded from  the  State  Council  officers  of  the  old  State  Council, 
all  papers,  books,  funds,  private  work  and  all  property  of  whatever 
nature,  as  well  as  the  charter,  the  same  to  be  turned  over  to  John 
Bullwinkel,  Esq.,  one  of  the  attorneys  for  the  National  Council  in 
the  case. 

In  this  connection,  it  might  be  stated,  that  the  methods  of 
the  insurgent  leaders,  Singer,  Page,  Parker,  et  al.,  were  equally  as 
unwarranted  as  those  which  characterized  the  insurgent  outfit  in 
Pennsylvania.  They  sent  out  misleading  circulars  to  the  Councils 
in  the  state,  calling  the  new  State  Council  a  "  rump  association," 
directing  that  all  communications  from  said  "  so-called  State 
Council "  be  destroyed  and  all  dispensations,  etc.,  be  sent  to  Page. 

Following  the  dissolving  of  the  injunction,  as  above  referred 
to,  the  State  Councilor  of  the  new  State  Council  went  into  Court 
and  began,  what  is  known  as  a  "  cross  action,"  to  restrain  the 
"  Singer,  Page  and  Parker  Association "  from  using  the  words 
"  Junior  Order  of  United  American  Mechanics,"  or  the  initials, 
"  Jr.  O.  U.  A.  M.",  which,   after  many  delays  was  granted,  tern- 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  193 

porarily,  December  4,  1901,  and  the  two  cases  at  issue  were  placed 
upon  the  court  calendar. 

The  case  of  the  "  insurgent "  State  Council  against  the 
"  loyal "  State  Council  of  New  York,  to  restrain  or  enjoin  the  lat- 
ter body  or  its  officers  from  the  use  of  the  name  of  the  Order,  either 
in  full  or  by  initials,  came  up  for  argument  in  the  Court  of  New 
York  City  before  Judge  Steckler,  November  6,  1902,  and  occupied 
nine  days.  It  was  the  longest  case  in  the  whole  list  of  causes  tried 
during  this  controversy  in  the  various  states,  so  far  as  the  time 
taken  in  its  argument  is  concerned,  and  was  hotly  contested  by  the 
counsel  on  both  sides. 

The  gist  of  the  contention  maintained  by  the  plaintiff  was, 
that  the  revision  of  the  Constitution  and  General  Laws  at  Minne- 
apolis in  1899,  were  inoperative;  first,  that  the  members  of  the 
Order  were  not  properly  notified  of  the  amendments;  and  second, 
that  they  were  not  passed  by  a  two-thirds  majority ;  and  as  the  per 
capita  tax  was  based  on  one  or  more  of  the  amendments,  such  tax 
was  unauthorized,  hence  the  State  Council  of  New  York  could  not 
be  required  to  levy  or  pay  same.  The  plaintiff  further  claimed  in 
its  argument,  that  its  charter  had  not  been  revoked,  from  the  fact 
the  judgment  of  revocation  was  entered  'prematurely ,  having  been 
entered  nine  days  after  the  date  fixed  for  trial,  instead  of  ten  days 
from  date  of  trial  as  provided  by  the  laws  of  the  Order. 

Relative  to  these  points  of  contention,  the  Court  in  its  decision, 
had  this  to  say: 

"  I  do  not  think  that  in  this  action  for  the  specific  relief  which  is 
asked  the  plaintiff  can  avail  itself  of  the  objection  that  the  amendments 
of  the  Constitution  are  inoperative.  It  does  not  appear  that  the  represen- 
tatives of  the  plaintiff  at  the  Minneapolis  convention  objected  to  the 
methods  of  proposing  amendments  or  that  they  claimed  that  the  amend- 
ments were  not  carried  by  a  two-thirds  vote.  Such  objections  if  made  at 
the  time,  if  tenable,  have  been  obviated.  Nor  does  the  fact  that  the  judg- 
ment of  revocation  was  entered  prematurely  aid  the  plaintiff;  for  even  if 
such  premature  entry  was  not  a  mere  irregularity  the  defect  would  not  of 
itself  better  plaintiff's  standing  in  a  court  of  equity." 

After  a  careful  review  of  the  whole  case,  the  relations  the  State 
Council  bears  to  the  National  Council,  as  based  on  the  laws  of  the 
Order,  the  Court  declared  that  the  new  State  Council  was  the  sole 
representative  of  the  National  Council  of  the  Junior  Order  of 
United  American  Mechanics  in  the  State  of  New  York.  The 
Court  further  declared : 

"  That  there  is  no  proof  that  any  person  has  been  deceived  or  mislead 
into  joining  the  defendant  organization;  that  there  is  no  proof  that  the 
plaintiff  has  sustained  any  loss  by  reason  of  the  existence  of  the  defendant. 

J3 


194  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

"  That  the  words  Junior  Order  of  United  American  Mechanics  and  the 
word  and  initials  Junior  0.  U.  A.  M.,  and  the  abbreviation  and  initials 
Jr.  0.  U.  A.  M.  have  been  used  by  the  National  Council,  the  State  Councils 
in  the  various  states  dependent  upon  the  National  Council,  and  by  Sub- 
ordinate Councils  in  the  State  of  New  York,  loyal  to  the  National  Council 
from  1853  to  the  present  time  and  they  still  continue  to  use  the  same. 

"  That  the  plaintiff  is  or  has  been  any  part  of  the  National  Coun- 
cil since  the  revocation  of  its  charter  as  aforesaid;  that  the  defendant 
has  proved  that  it  is  acting  under  the  National  Council  since  the  revoca- 
tion of  said  charter  of  plaintiff,  and  that  as  between  the  plaintiff  and 
defendant  herein,  the  defendant  has  a  prior  right  to  the  use  of  the  title 
New  York  State  Council  Junior  Order  United  American  Mechanics  and  the 
word  and  initials  Junior  O.  U.  A.  M.  and  the  abbreviation  and  initials  Jr. 
0.  U.  A.  M. 

"  That  under  these  circumstances  the  fact  that  the  plaintiff  is  incor- 
porated does  not  entitle  it  to  the  relief  prayed  for  in  the  complaint." 

The  case  of  the  National  Council  versus  the  insurgent  State 
Council  of  New  York  has  not  been  pressed  and,  therefore,  stands 
statu  quo. 

VIRGINIA  LEAVES  THE  NATIONAL  COUNCIL 

The  procedure  leading  up  to  the  culminating  act  of  insub- 
ordination by  the  State  Council  of  Virginia  was  somewhat  different 
than  that  followed  by  the  other  states;  but  in  the  main,  each 
jurisdiction  was  guilt}r  of  one  supreme  act  of  insubordination,  that 
of  refusing  to  lev}r,  collect  or  pay  the  National  Council  per  capita 
tax,  as  per  enactment  of  the  famous  Minneapolis  session.  With 
Virginia,  the  tax  had  been  collected  but  withheld. 

Eelative  to  the  issue  at  controversy  in  Virginia,  the  following 
statement  of  facts  is  appended : 

At  the  session  of  the  State  Council  of  Virginia,  held  at  Cape 
Charles  City,  October  17,  1899,  the  following  resolution  was 
adopted : 

"  That  we  withhold  further  tax  to  the  National  Council,  until  the 
National  Council  shall  legally  adjust  the  grievances,  and  give  us  repre- 
sentation based  upon  membership  and  taxation." 

On  November  15,  following,  the  Executive  Board  of  the  State 
Council  sent  a  copy  of  the  above  resolution  to  the  Subordinate 
Councils  of  the  state,  accompanied  by  a  circular  in  which  were 
the  following  observations : 

"  This  is  considered  a  very  conservative  action,  and  we  believe  does 
not  constitute  an  act  of  insubordination;  we  are  further  of  the  opinion  that 
the  action  of  this  state  will  do  much  towards  the  adjustment  of  the  differ- 
ences existing  in  the  National  Council  and  the  correction  of  the  grievances 
complained  of.     .     .     . 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  195 

"  There  is  no  reason  to  fear  a  disruption  in  the  Order  and  nothing 
is  further  from  the  desires  of  your  Executive  Board,  or  any  member  of  the 
State  Council.  .  .  .  All  that  we  ask  is  justice,  pure  and  simple,  and 
upon  the  assurance  of  this,  your  State  Council  will  then  be — as  it  is  now 
and  always  has  been — a  loyal  branch  of  the  Order." 

In  view  of  the  situation  existing,  National  Councilor  Reimer 
wrote  to  the  Executive  Board  of  the  State  Council  of  Virginia,  in 
which  communication,  among  other  things,  he  said  : 

"  Now  as  to  withholding  payment  of  taxes,  the  per  capita  tax,  col- 
lected by  the  State  Council  of  Virginia,  from  the  Subordinate  Councils, 
is,  among  other  purposes,  to  enable  it  to  maintain  its  standing  and  proper 
relations  with  the  National  Council.  The  State  Council  having  collected 
this  tax  for  the  purposes  named,  has  no  legal  right  to  withhold  that  portion 
legally  belonging  to  the  National  Council,  from  the  National  Council,  and 
the  resolution  adopted  to  do  so  is  illegal  and  its  adoption  unlawful  and 
in  my  opinion,  your  Board  should  at  once  arrange  for  the  lawful  disposi- 
tion of  the  National  Council  per  capita  tax,  which  it  has  already  collected 
from  the  Subordinate  Councils  and  which  was  payable  October  15,  and 
which  was  withheld  without  authority  by  your  Board  on  that  date,  two 
days  before  the  date  of  your  State  Council  Session." 

To  this  communication  of  the  National  Councilor,  there  came 
an  answer,  December  20,  1899,  signed  by  one  Floyd  A.  Hudgins, 
claiming  to  be  the  State  Councilor  of  the  State  Council  of  Virginia 
and  Chairman  of  the  Executive  Board,  which  is  as  follows : 

"  I  beg  to  state  that  this  matter  of  withholding  tax  was  the  action 
of  the  State  Council  in  session  assembled,  and  it  is  my  opinion  that  we 
have  no  right  to  order  the  per  capita  tax  paid,  and  if  we  had  such  a  right, 
we  would  not  exercise  it  against  the  majority  present  at  our  last  session, 
which  was  held  in  the  city  of  Cape  Charles." 

February  1,  1900,  the  National  Councilor  filed  charges  against 
the  State  Council  of  Virginia,  the  purport  of  which  were,  attempted 
nullification  of  the  authority  of  the  National  Council  and  its  offi- 
cers in  its  refusal  to  pay  over  to  the  National  Council  its  tax 
due  and  which  had  been  collected,  and  on  general  principles,  insub- 
ordination and  rebellion. 

A  hearing  before  the  National  Judiciary,  however,  was  not 
pressed,  as  the  National  Councilor  entertained  hopes  that  good 
judgment  would  prevail  among  the  Virginia  brethren  and  that  the}' 
would  see  their  mistake  and  rectify  it  and  maintain  their  allegiance 
with  the  National  Body.  To  such  an  extent  did  this  spirit  of  con- 
ciliation manifest  itself  on  the  part  of  the  National  Councilor, 
Brother  Reimer,  that  on  the  approach  of  the  meeting  of  the  Na- 
tional Council,  under  date  of  June  5,  1900,  he  addressed  the  follow- 


196  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

ing  communication  to  the  State  Council  Secretary  of  Virginia, 
Thomas  B.  Ivey: 

"  The  State  Council  of  Virginia  having  refused  to  pay  the  National 
Council  per  capita  tax  on  the  alleged  ground  that  certain  grievances  had 
been  imposed  upon  it  by  the  National  Council,  permit  me  to  say  that  in 
order  to  insure  the  proper  presentation  of  these  grievances  and  that  they 
may  receive  the  proper  consideration,  the  State  Council  of  Virginia  should 
send  its  representatives  to  the  Philadelphia  session  of  the  National  Council 
to  present  these  grievances  to  that  body  for  consideration  and  action  at 
that  time. 

"  Although,  by  its  refusal  to  pay  the  National  Council  per  capita 
tax,  the  Virginia  State  Council  is  not  entitled  to  representation,  it  is  my 
opinion  that  its  representatives  should,  nevertheless,  be  granted  admission 
and  I  will  urge  that  the  National  Council  grant  them  this  privilege,  and 
I  believe  that  body  will  do  so." 

Brother  Reimer  carried  out  his  promise,  and  in  his  report, 
urged  the  National  Council  to  admit  any  who  might  wish  to  present 
grievances,  and  to  that  end  the  Credential  Committee  in  its  report, 
recommended  that  the  Representatives  from  Virginia  be  admitted. 
None,  however,  presented  themselves;  and  it  is  a  matter  of  record 
in  the  official  proceedings  of  the  State  Council  of  Virginia,  that 
the  Executive  Board,  after  having  considered  the  National  Coun- 
cilor's generous  invitation,  decided  not  to  accept  and  directed  their 
Representatives  to  remain  away  from  the  session. 

At  the  session  of  the  State  Council  in  1900,  held  October  16, 
a  resolution  to  pay  the  National  Council  per  capita  tax  was  tabled. 
In  the  meantime,  without  authority  of  the  State  Council,  some 
members  of  the  Order  in  the  state  asked  and  obtained  a  statutory 
charter  of  incorporation  from  the  Legislature  of  the  state,  under 
the  name  of  the  "  State  Council  of  Virginia,  Junior  Order  of  the 
United  American  Mechanics  of  the  State  of  Virginia,"  which 
charter  was  approved  and  adopted  at  a  special  session  of  the  State 
Council  held  March  14,  1900,  by  a  vote  of  yeas  86,  nays  17,  and 
under  this  charter  it  was  sought  to  reorganize  the  State  Council 
of  Virginia  in  the  State  of  Virginia,  which,  in  fact,  was  accom- 
plished by  a  motion  to  declare  the  officers  of  the  State  Council 
elected  under  this  charter,  which  motion  passed  unanimously, 
thereby  setting  up  the  State  Council  of  Virginia  as  an  independent 
organization  as  well  as  supreme  within  the  state,  at  the  same 
time  adopted  its  own  Constitution,  and  substantially  accepted  the 
Declaration  of  Principles  of  1894,  with  the  exception  of  the 
clause,  "  In  the  strictest  sense  we  are  a  national  political  organ- 
ization," etc. 

This  act  brought  about  a  dissolution  of  the  relations  existing 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  197 

between  Virginia  and  the  National  Council,  whereupon,  an 
amended  petition  was  filed  to  the  cause  already  in  the  hands  of  the 
National  Judiciary  for  violating  the  laws  of  the  National  Council 
and  the  usages  of  the  Order  in  adopting  a  Constitution  incompatible 
with  its  lawful  allegiance  to  the  Supreme  Body.  The  cause  based 
on  these  charges  was  tried  before  the  Judicatory  tribunal  of  the 
Order,  on  December  6,  1900,  Messrs.  A.  D.  Wilkin  and  John  C. 
Weckert,  Esqs.,  appearing  for  the  petitioner,  but  no  appearance 
was  made  on  behalf  of  the  defendant. 

The  cause  at  Court  resolved  itself  into  two  questions  at  issue : 

First.  The  right  of  a  State  Council  to  decline  to  pay  over  to 
the  National  Council  tax  due  the  latter. 

Second.  The  question  of  insubordination  or  rebellion  involved 
in  the  action  of  a  State  Council  whereby  it  assumes  to  erect  itself 
into  a  condition  of  independency  or  superiority,  by  obtaining  a 
corporation  from  the  state. 

On  the  first  question  at  issue  the  Court  declared  itself  as 

follows : 

"  Under  the  supreme  law  of  the  Order,  the  power  to  levy  or  provide 
for  tax  necessary  for  the  support  of  the  National  Council,  is  lodged  exclu- 
sively in  the  National  Council.  To  concede  the  right  or  the  power  of 
another  and  necessarily  subordinate  body  to  refuse  to  collect  and  pay  over 
the  tax  so  levied  or  provided  for,  would  be  destructive  of  the  entire  plan 
of  the  government  of  the  Order." 

From  the  fact  that  the  State  Council  of  Virginia  had  collected 
the  tax  and  refused  to  pay  it  over,  but  actually  paid  it  bach  to  the 
Subordinate  Councils,  which  was  unlawful  and  a  wilful  action  upon 
their  part,  the  Court  found  the  State  Council  clearly  guilty  of 
insubordination. 

On  the  second  question,  in  the  procurement  of  an  incorporation 
from  the  Legislature  of  Virginia  by  which  the  State  Council  con- 
sidered itself  independent  and  superior  to  the  National  Council, 
and  by  certain  terms  in  the  text  of  the  state  charter  sought  to 
reorganize  the  State  Council  on  that  basis,  the  Court  decided  the 
State  Council  guilty  of  not  only  insubordination  but  of  acts  of 
rebellion. 

The  usual  decree  was  ordered  by  the  Court  of  revocation  of  the 
charter,  if  the  per  capita  tax  was  not  paid  within  a  certain  time, 
and  a  special  session  of  the  State  Council  called  to  rescind  its  for- 
mer insubordinate  actions.  Neither  of  the  decrees  were  obeyed, 
whereupon  the  charter  was  revoked  by  the  National  Councilor 
January  12,  1901. 


198  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

THE  LOYAL  STATE  COUNCIL  OF  VIRGINIA  ORGANIZED 

In  the  meantime,  and  after  the  trial  of  said  State  Council  oE 
Virginia,  and  the  forfeiture  of  its  charter  for  disobedience  of  the 
decrees  of  the  National  Judiciary,  a  new  (loyal)  State  Council, 
with  24  Councils  and  3,540  members,  was  instituted  March  2,  1901. 
The  officers  of  the  old  State  Council,  claiming  that  their  body  was 
independent  of  the  National  Council  because  of  its  incorporation 
under  the  laws  of  the  State  of  Virginia,  filed  a  bill  in  Equity  in 
the  Chancery  Court  of  the  state  praying  the  Court  to  decree  "  That 
the  new  State  Council  be  declared  illegal,  and  the  insurgent's  char- 
ter valid  " ;  and  at  the  same  time  to  enjoin  the  loyalists  from  contin- 
uing to  use  the  name  State  Council  of  Virginia,  Jr.  0.  U.  A.  M., 
"  or  any  other  name  of  like  import " ;  and  for  carrying  out  the 
objects  of  said  State  Council,  or  in  any  way  from  carrying  out  the 
purposes  of  the  organization.  This  issue  was  filed  in  the  Court 
sometime  in  1901.  To  this  bill,  the  National  Council,  by  its  attor- 
neys, John  C.  Weckert  and  C.  V.  Meredith,  Esqs.,  filed  an  answer 
in  the  nature  of  a  "  cross-bill,"  wherein  the  new  State  Council  is 
alleged  to  be  the  head  of  the  Order  in  the  state  praying  the  Court 
to  so  decree,  and  also  to  restrain  the  old  State  Council  in  the  same 
manner  as  set  forth  in  the  prayer  of  its  officers. 

The  case  went  to  trial  in  due  time,  but  the  Court  decided 
against  the  National  Council.  The  Court  declined  to  pass  upon 
the  question  as  to  the  validity  of  the  Minneapolis  Constitution,  or 
the  effect  of  the  revolt  upon  the  Order,  but  based  its  decree  entirely 
upon  the  ground  that  the  statute  of  Virginia  incorporating  the 
old  State  Council  of  Virginia  with  the  rights  and  powers  therein 
given,  was  a  constitutional  and  valid  act.  That  the  said  statute 
made  the  old  State  Council  under  the  new  and  statutory  charter 
the  supreme  head  of  the  Junior  Order  in  Virginia. 

Not  satisfied  with  the  judicial  construction  of  the  trial  court, 
the  National  Council  took  an  appeal  to  the  Supreme  Court  of 
Virginia.  In  due  time  a  hearing  was  had  before  that  tribunal  and 
the  case  argued  by  both  sides  and  a  decree  was  handed  down  affirm- 
ing the  decision  of  the  lower  Court. 

The  Supreme  Court  of  Virginia,  in  deciding  against  the 
National  Council,  based  its  opinion  upon  the  proposition  that  a 
state  had  the  power  by  legislature,  or  otherwise,  to  exclude  a  for- 
eign corporation  from  doing  business  therein.  That  the  National 
Council  being  a  foreign  corporation,  having  been  created  under 
the  laws  of  Pennsylvania,  the  State  of  Virginia  by  a  special  act 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  199 

passed,  had  full  authority  to  exclude  it  from  its  jurisdiction.  The 
case  was  carried  to  the  Supreme  Court  of  the  United  States  by  the 
National  Council,  and,  after  a  full  resume  of  the  case  before  that 
tribunal,  the  Court  decided  against  the  National  Body,  November 
9,  1906. 

QUO   WARRANTO   PROCEEDINGS  AGAINST  TITE  FUNERAL  BENEFIT 
DEPARTMENT  AND  BENEFICIARY  DEGREE 

But  brief  reference  can  be  made  to  the  above  issue  before  the 
Attorney-General  of  Pennsylvania  and  in  the  courts  of  said  state. 
The  Funeral  Benefit  Association  of  the  United  States,  commonly 
known  as  the  "  Philadelphia  Association,"  cited  the  officers  of  the 
National  Council  and  Beneficiary  Degree  before  the  courts,  thereby 
entailing  great  expense,  in  litigation,  upon  the  National  Body.  The 
above  named  Association  was  entirely  under  the  control  of  the  in- 
surgents and  had  much  to  do  in  carrying  on  the  rebellion  within 
the  Order;  and  even  agents  and  circulars  were  sent  to  the  loyal, 
but  in  some  instances  disaffected  states,  scattering  the  firebrands 
of  disloyalty,  as  well  as  to  the  sessions  of  the  National  Council  to 
sow  the  seed  of  discontent  and  rebellion  there.  However,  their  cul  • 
pable  purposes  to  again  split  the  National  Body  came  to  an  igno- 
minious end  at  the  Milwaukee  session  in  1902;  however,  to  be 
resumed  at  the  session  of  the  National  Council  held  at  Boston, 
Mass.,  June,  1907. 

The  issue  above  referred  to  was  a  suggestion  before  the 
Attorney-General  of  the  State  of  Pennsylvania  for  a  writ  of  Quo 
Warranto  to  inquire  into  the  right  of  the  Beneficiary  Degree — a 
Colorado  corporation — to  do  business  in  Pennsylvania.  The  pur- 
pose of  appearing  before  the  Attorney-General  was  to  secure  the 
use  of  the  name  of  the  Commonwealth  to  start  proceedings.  After 
a  full  hearing  the  Assistant  Attorney-General  granted  the  prayer 
of  the  petitioners,  as  far  as  the  Beneficiary  Degree  was  concerned, 
but  not  the  National  Council,  and  the  cause  was  cited  to  be  heard 
in  one  of  the  Philadelphia  courts. 

Eealizing  the  invalidity  of  the  Colorado  Charter,  it  was  sur- 
rendered, which  it  was  thought  would  end  the  case.  However,  the 
attorneys  for  the  petitioners  filed  an  amendment  to  the  writ  requir- 
ing the  National  Council  to  show  by  what  right  and  authority  it 
exercised  the  powers  in  carrying  on  an  Insurance  business  through 
the  Funeral  Benefit  Department  and  Beneficiary  Degree,  etc.,  which 
they  claimed  was  not  in  harmony  with  the  original  provisions  of 


200  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

the  Order,  as  per  charter  granted  by  the  corporate  act  of  the  State 
of  Pennsylvania;  and  in  the  manner  it  was  now  being  conducted, 
it  was  "  impracticable,  extremely  expensive  and  unsafe,  and  that 
the  officers  thereof  made  false  statements  to  the  Insurance  Com- 
missioner of  the  state." 

All  these  allegations  were  denied  by  the  attorneys  for  the 
National  Council,  and  after  a  hearing  before  Hon.  H.  L.  Carson, 
the  then  Attorney-General,  the  amendment  was  disallowed.  Prior 
to  this,  however,  a  "  cross  action  "  was  filed  by  the  National  Coun- 
cil before  the  Attorney- General  for  a  similar  suggestion  of  Quo 
Warranto  inquiring  into  the  right  of  the  "  Philadelphia  Associa- 
tion "  to  do  business  in  Pennsylvania,  which  was  granted,  and 
the  cause  was  assigned  to  the  Court  of  Common  Pleas,  No.  4, 
Philadelphia. 

Answers  were  filed  in  both  cases  before  the  Court  by  the  attor- 
neys for  plaintiffs  and  defendants,  and  when  the  hearing  came 
up  the  attorneys  agreed  to  drop  both  cases  and  the  litigation  along 
this  line  came  to  an  end,  entailing  an  expense  upon  the  Funeral 
Benefit  Department  and  the  Beneficiary  Degree  of  about  $3,000, 
all  brought  about  by  the  Philadelphia  Association. 

CONCLUDING    OBSERVATIONS 

Not  only  the  Junior  Order,  but  every  fraternal  and  secret 
beneficial  association  in  the  United  States  has  followed  with  deep 
interest  the  litigation  in  which  the  Jr.  O.  U.  A.  M.  has  had  to  do 
since  1899.  While  the  Junior  Order  has  been  rent  by  factional 
strife  and  many  thousands  of  dollars  have  been  spent  in  suits  and 
counter-suits,  much  good  has  resulted,  in  that  legal  precedents  have 
been  established  and  judicial  determination  given  of  fraternal  laws, 
which  clarify  the  atmosphere  and  settle  many  vexed  questions  aris- 
ing in  judicial  jurisprudence  affecting  the  government  and  opera- 
tions of  all  secret  fraternal  organizations. 

One  very  prominent  feature  has  been  brought  out  by  the  liti- 
gation, especially  in  Virginia  and  New  Jersey,  that  is  the  affirma- 
tion of  States  Rights  as  against  National  control,  so  far  as  the 
Jr.  0.  U.  A.  M.  is  concerned ;  hence,  for  this  reason,  the  power  to 
enforce  the  authority  of  the  National  Council  and  to  secure  recog- 
nition of  its  supremacy,  has  been  watched  very  closely  by  every 
organization  because  of  the  precedents  to  be  established  affecting 
the  validity  of  existing  laws  and  methods  of  government  in  all 
fraternal  beneficial  associations. 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  201 

THE    FINAL    RESULTS    OF    ARBITRATION 

Beference  to  "peace  proposals,"  "arbitration  committees," 
"olive  branches,"  etc.,  have  been  frequently  made  in  the  brief 
sketch  of  this  deplorable  controversy,  not  only  in  this  section,  but 
in  other  portions  of  the  work ;  but  one  final  appeal  was  made  which 
culminated,  as  all  other  efforts  had,  in  total  failure. 

At  the  session  of  the  National  Council,  held  at  Milwaukee, 
Wis.,  in  1902,  there  was  a  strong  sentiment  in  favor  of  making 
peace  with  the  disloyal  element  almost  at  any  price.  To  such 
proposals  there  was  no  objection,  only  so  far  as  not  in  any  way  to 
sacrifice  the  dignity  of  the  National  Council  by  surrendering  the 
ground  so  hardly  fought  for  and  handing  the  Order  over  to  those 
whose  sole  policy  from  the  beginning  was  "  rule  or  ruin." 

In  harmony  with  the  "  peace  proposal "  sentiments,  a  resolu- 
tion was  presented  recommending  the  appointment  of  J.  G.  A. 
Eichter,  of  Ohio ;  Geo.  A.  Gowan,  of  Tennessee ;  Roger  J.  Armstrong, 
of  Missouri;  Geo.  A.  Davis,  of  Maryland,  and  John  Kee,  of  West 
Virginia,  as  an  Arbitration  Committee  to  act  on  behalf  of  the 
National  Council,  in  order  to  settle  the  differences  that  existed 
in  the  several  states.     The  purport  of  the  resolution  read  as  follows  : 

"And  our  said  Committee  is  hereby  authorized  to  meet  a  like  Com- 
mittee which  may  be  appointed  from  the  ranks  of  the  said  '  insurgents  ' 
and  to  agree  with  them  upon  terms  under  which  the  said  factions,  in 
whole  or  in  part,  shall  be  received  back  into  the  Order  and  re-vested  with 
the  rights  and  privileges  of  membership  under  the  authority  and  juris- 
diction of  this  National  Council.  And  our  said  Committee  shall  have  full 
power  to  act  in  the  premises  as  they  may  deem  best  for  the  interest  of 
the  National  Council  and  the  Order  at  large."     (Italics  ours.) 

The  delegating  of  unlimited  power  into  the  hands  of  a  single 
Committee  did  not  meet  with  the  approval  of  those  who  had  been 
in  the  forefront  of  the  battle,  hence  a  substitute  was  offered  by 
Past  State  Councilor  W.  C.  Anderson,  of  New  York,  which  was 
unanimously  adopted.     The  substitute  was  as  follows : 

"  Whereas,  This  body  has  been  informed  that  the  great  bulk  of  the 
former  membership  of  our  Order,  who  have  withdrawn  from  the  organiza- 
tion, the  same  are  desirous  of  reuniting  with  this  body; 

"  Resolved,  That  a  Committee  of  three  be  appointed  to  confer  with 
a  similar  number  of  the  former  membership  and  report  the  result  of  their 
conference  at  the  next  session  of  the  National  Council." 

The  substitute,  as  stated,  was  adopted,  with  the  amendment 
that  the  Committee  consist  of  Brothers  J.  G.  A.  Eichter,  J.  W. 
Calver  and  A.  L.  Cray. 


202  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

In  pursuance  of  the  appointment  of  the  above  named  Com- 
mittee, the  National  Board  of  Officers  communicated  to  the  leaders 
of  the  insurgent  element  the  action  of  the  National  Council  and 
requested  the  appointment  of  a  like  number  to  meet  the  loyal 
Committee,  and  suggested  to  them  the  naming  of  the  place  and 
time  for  such  meeting  as  outlined  in  the  resolution.  To  this  com- 
munication came  a  response,  a  portion  of  which  is  as  follows: 

"  Action  taken  on  Saturday  last  regarding  the  communication  resulted 
in  the  appointment  of  a  Committee  for  the  purpose  of  receiving  any  pro- 
posals the  National  Council  Jr.  0.  V.  A.  M.,  U.  8.  A.,  may  have  to  make 
through  its  Committee.  (Italics  ours.)  We  waive  all  reference  to  the 
mis-statements  in  the  communication  of  September  3  (Junior  Past  National 
Councilor  A.  L.  Cray,  Chairman  of  Arbitration  Committee),  except  to  say 
that  the  members  of  the  Jr.  O.  U.  A.  M.,  called  insurgents,  in  the  said 
insurgent  states,  have  never  expressed  directly  or  by  implication,  any 
anxiety  to  meet  the  National  Committee  or  a  committee  thereof." 

This  communication  was  signed  by  Fergus  A.  Dennis,  E.  T. 
Keeton,  Lewis  F.  Page,  Wm.  A.  Pike,  W.  L.  Boyden,  Committee. 
The  spirit  that  breathed  through  this  communication  to  the  Na- 
tional Committee  was  far  from  conciliatory,  which  demonstrated 
itself  more  fully  in  the  progress  of  the  negotiations  as  noted  below. 

The  place  and  time  of  the  meeting  of  the  joint  committee 
having  been  fixed  at  Philadelphia,  January  30,  1903,  the  same  went 
into  session  at  the  time  stated.  Since  the  insurgents  had  chosen 
five  persons  to  serve  on  their  Committee,  the  National  Council 
Board  of  Officers  added  two  more  to  the  Committee  of  the  National 
Council,  viz.,  Brothers  Robert  Ogle,  of  Maryland,  and  H.  H.  Bil- 
lany,  of  Delaware,  with  which  Committee  the  National  Councilor 
requested  Alex.  M.  DeHaven,  Esq.,  of  Pennsylvania,  to  act  as  the 
attorney  for  the  National  Council.  The  insurgent  Committee  ob- 
jected to  the  adding  of  Brothers  Ogle  and  Billany  to  the  Commit- 
tee of  the  National  Council,  also  forbidding  Brother  DeHaven  to 
act  as  attorney  for  the  Committee.  With  the  Committee  of  the 
National  Council,  as  originally  appointed,  the  conference  of  the 
joint  committee  was  opened  when  it  was  ascertained  that  the  in- 
surgent Committee  had  no  proposals  at  all  to  make  looking  toward 
an  adjudication  of  the  differences  involved.  Whereupon  the  Na- 
tional Council  Committee  made  the  following  proposition  : 

"  That  you  come  back  into  the  Order ;  pay  all  per  capita  tax  due,  and 
that  you  obey  the  laws  of  the  National  Council,  and  discontinue  all  liti- 
gation." 

To  this  proposition  came  the  answer : 

"  We  cannot  accept  this." 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  203 

The  insurgent  Committee  then  submitted  the  following  propo- 
sitions : 

1.  "Will  the  National  Council  make  itself  a  purely  representative 
body?     Will  you  recommend  that  the  National  Council  take  such  action? 

2.  "  Will  the  National  Council  give  to  each  state  the  right  of  absolute 
self-control?     Will  you  recommend  that  the  National  Council  do  this? 

3.  "  State  what  claim,  if  any,  the  National  Council  will  make  for 
payment  by  the  alleged  insurgent  states  of  per  capita  tax  levied  since 
1899." 

To  these  propositions  the  National  Council  Committee  replied  : 

1.  "  We  are  willing  to  report  to  the  National  Council  the  question 
you  ask. 

2.  "  We  are  willing  to  recommend  that  the  National  Council  shall 
be  composed  of  Representatives,  Past  National  Councilors,  and  Past  State 
Councilors  who  obtained  that  honor  prior  to  July  1,  1901,  believing  a 
retroactive  law  would  not  stand. 

3.  "  We  are  willing  to  recommend  to  the  National  Council  that  they 
make  a  liberal  adjustment  of  the  per  capita  tax." 

No  definite  conclusion  having  been  reached,  the  conference 
adjourned.  Subsequently  the  insurgent  Committee  asked  for  an- 
other meeting,  which  was  agreed  upon,  and  Pittsburg,  Pa.,  May  2, 
1903,  was  fixed  as  the  place  and  time  for  the  conference. 

On  the  reassembling  of  the  joint  committee,  the  insurgent 
Committee  submitted  the  following  propositions : 

"  Taking  into  consideration  all  the  differences  existing  between  the 
National  Council  and  the  several  State  Councils  and  jurisdictions  called 
insurgents  having  been  suspended,  and  at  this  time  not  of  nor  with  the 
National  Council,  it  is  made  apparent. 

"  First.  That  representation  in  and  to  the  National  Council  be  based 
upon  the  membership  of  each  state,  and  that  the  National  Council  be 
composed  of  National  Representatives  and  Past  National  Councilors.  No 
Past  State  Councilor  or  Past  National  Representative  to  have  a  voice  or 
vote  in  the  National  Council,  and  all  committees  to  be  composed  of  members 
of  the  National  Council  only.  Only  members  of  the  National  Council 
shall  be  eligible  for  office. 

"  Second.  That  all  claims  for  per  capita  tax  or  any  other  assessment 
against  State  Councils,  Subordinate  Councils,  or  individual  members  made 
or  levied  at  or  since  the  Minneapolis  session,  shall  be  waived  and  sur- 
rendered and  declared  void. 

"  Third.  That  all  existing  litigation  and  suits  in  Court  shall  be 
abandoned  at  once. 

"  Fourth.  That  all  decrees  made  by  the  so-called  National  judiciary 
of  the  National  Council  against  any  State  Council,  Subordinate  Council, 
or  individual  member,  or  any  charges  now  pending  against  any  State 
Council,  Subordinate  Council,  or  individual  member,  shall  be  abrogated  and 
for  nothing  holden  and  declared  void. 

"  Fifth.  All  disputes  in  any  state,  party  to  this  proposal,  and  all 
disputes  in  any  jurisdiction  belonging  to  the  National  Council  to  be  settled 


204  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

by  the  State  Council  of  each  state  or  jurisdiction,  without  the  intervention 
or  interference  of  the  National  Council. 

"  Sixth.  That  a  new  National  Council  shall  be  organized  by  the  repre- 
sentatives and  Past  National  Councilors  provided  for  in  item  No.  1  of  this 
proposal,  a  new  set  of  laws  adopted  and  new  officers  elected;  said  National 
Council  to  have  limited  power  only,  and  each  State  Council  or  jurisdiction 
to  be  a  sovereign  body  in  itself. 

"  Seventh.     The  plan  to  bring  about  the  above  result  is  as  follows : 

"1.  The  National  Council  which  shall  convene  in  San  Francisco, 
May  20th,  and  to  which  body  this  proposal  will  come,  will  fix  a  place 
and  time  for  the  meeting,  provided  for  in  item  No.  6;  the  place  to  be  a 
central  one  and  the  time,  between  the  1st  of  November  and  the  15th 
of  December  next. 

"2.  That  the  National  Council  shall  notify  the  so-called  insurgent 
states  and  Councils  of  its  action  in  connection  with  this  proposal  by  its 
official  notice  to  William  L.  Boyden,  No.  433  Third  Street,  N.  W.,  Washing- 
ton, D.  C,  secretary  of  the  Arbitration  Committee  of  the  so-called  insur- 
gent states  and  Councils,  within  thirty  (30)  days  after  the  said  session  of 
the  National  Council  shall  have  convened  at  San  Francisco. 

"3.  At  the  coming  annual  session  of  the  respective  alleged  insurgent 
State  Councils,  every  Council  whether  known  as  loyalist  or  insurgent, 
shall  be  entitled  to  the  usual  representation  in  the  respective  states.  At 
the  said  session  the  representatives  elected  to  and  attending  said  session 
shall  reorganize  the  State  Councils  therein,  and  shall  elect  officers  and 
National  representatives.  All  National  representatives  from  each  and 
every  state  or  jurisdiction  in  the  Order,  shall  be  elected  by  their  state 
bodies,  either  at  a  regular  annual  session  or  at  a  special  session  called  for 
that  purpose  at  least  twenty  (20)  days  prior  to  the  time  fixed  for  the 
meeting  of  the  National  Council,  as  provided  for  in  item  No.  2  of  this  plan. 
Each  state  body  shall  be  entitled  to  one  National  representative  for  the 
first  One  Thousand  (1000)  of  its  membership,  and  one  for  each  additional 
Three  Thousand    (3000)    members  or  majority  fraction  thereof. 

"Provided,  that  no  alleged  State  Council  with  less  than  five  (5) 
Subordinate   Councils   on   December   31,    1902,   shall   be   entitled   to   repre- 

sentation-  "Fergus  A.  Dennis, 

"  Dated  May  1,  1903.  "  Wm.  A.  Pike, 

"  Lewis  F.  Page, 
"E.  T.  Keeton, 
"Wm.  L.  Boyden." 

The  National  Council  Committee  submitted  the  following: 

"  In  accordance  with  your  suggestions,  we  have  examined  your  propo- 
sitions and  we  offer  for  your  consideration  the  following  changes  or 
amendments  to  the  propositions  submitted  to  us  this  day: 

"  First.  In  Section  First,  fourth  line,  after  the  words  '  Past  National 
Councilors,'  add  'AND  SUCH  PAST  STATE  COUNCILORS  AS  SHALL 
HAVE  OBTAINED  THAT  HONOR  PRIOR  TO  JULY  1,  1901.' 

"  Second.  That  all  insurgent  states  and  Councils  shall  pay  to  the 
National  Council  all  per  capita  tax  due  by  them  up  to  the  time  of  the 
suspension  of  their  charters. 

"  Third.     We  except  State  of  Pennsylvania. 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  205 

"Fifth.  In  the  fifth  item  of  the  fourth  line,  strike  out  all  after  the 
word  'jurisdiction,'  and  insert  'SUBJECT  TO  AN  APPEAL  TO  THE 
NATIONAL  COUNCIL.' 

"  Sixth.  After  the  word  '  Council '  in  the  fourth  line,  add  '  TO  BE 
THE  SUPREME  HEAD  OF  THE  ORDER  WITH  REASONABLE  JURIS- 
DICTION OVER  STATE  AND  SUBORDINATE  COUNCILS." 

Changes  were  suggested  on  representation  and  then  the  whole 
matter  with  the  above  amendments  were  submitted  on  the  reas- 
sembling of  the  joint  committee,  when  the  insurgent  Committee, 
through  its  chairman,  stated  that  their  propositions  was  their  ulti- 
matum, whereupon  the  conference  adjourned  with  nothing  accom- 
plished. 

To  any  unbiased  mind  the  propositions  of  the  insurgent 
Committee  were  unreasonable,  inequitable  and  unfair;  while  those 
of  the  National  Council  Committee  were  conciliatory,  preeminently 
conservative  and  remarkably  lenient. 

The  report  of  the  National  Committee  was  received  and 
accepted  at  the  session  of  the  National  Body,  held  at  San  Francisco, 
Cal.,  whereupon  the  following  offer  of  settlement  to  be  sent  the 
insurgent  Councils,  was  adopted: 

"  Whereas,  A  report  of  the  Arbitration  Committee  which  was 
appointed  at  the  last  session  of  this  National  Council  is  this  day  pre- 
sented,  and  action  thereon  is   desired. 

"  And  Whereas,  It  is  believed  that  the  laws  of  the  Order  form  a 
sufficient  and  equitable  basis  for  an  adjustment  of  any  differences  that 
may  exist. 

"  And  Whereas,  It  is  believed  that  some  of  the  insurgent  State 
Councils  and  Subordinate  Councils  thereof  desire  to  be  reinstated  in  the 
Order.  Therefore,  be  it  resolved  by  the  National  Council  in  Annual  Session 
assembled: 

"  1.  That  the  propositions  submitted  by  the  insurgent  representatives 
or  Committee  thereof,  as  the  basis  of  settlement  of  the  differences  of  the 
Order,  and  which  is  alleged  to  be  their  ultimatum,  are  impracticable  and 
unreasonable  in  the  manner  and  form  as  presented,  are  hereby  rejected  and 
refused,  as  we  believe  that  the  laws  now  in  force  and  the  decisions  thereon 
form  a  sufficient  and  equitable  basis  for  an  adjustment  of.  any  and  all 
honest  differences  which  might  exist. 

"  2.  That  a  Subordinate  Council  of  any  state  which  is  now  identi- 
fied with  the  insurgent  State  Council  of  any  state,  may  be  reinstated  and 
thereafter  recognized  by  the  loyal  State  Councilor  (where  a  State  Council 
exists),  and  where  no  State  Council  exists,  then  to  this  National  Council 
(or  the  Board  of  Officers  thereof),  upon  the  payment  of  the  per  capita  tax 
which  was  due  and  payable  to  the  National  Council  at  the  time  of 
forfeiture  or  suspension  of  the  charter  of  such  insurgent  State  or  Sub- 
ordinate Council,  by  the  decrees  of  the  National  or  State  Judiciary  respect- 
ively, and  of  the  good  faith  and  form  of  any  such  application  the  respective 
loyal  State  Council  and  the  Board  of  Officers  of  this  National  Council 
when  applied  to,  shall  be  the  sole  and  absolute  judge." 


HISTORY   OF   LEGISLATION 


CHAPTER    XIII 
i.   NATIONAL    LEGISLATION 

THIS  and  subsequent  chapters  deal  with  one  of  the  most 
prominent  features  of  this  work.  Originally  the  organization 
had  nothing  to  do  with  politics  or  legislation;  but,  as  the  country 
advanced  and  became  more  widely  known  among  the  nations  of  the 
earth,  new  perils  were  manifested  in  the  body  politic,  and  it  was 
self-evident  that  the  Order,  to  rise  to  its  great  mission,  must  deal 
with  great  and  vital  issues  confronting  our  marvellously  increasing 
civilization.  Hence,  it  was  not  of  accidental  purpose  that  some  years 
ago  there  were  embodied  in  the  Declaration  of  Principles,  the  words 
which  caused  such  a  "  tempest  in  a  teapot "  in  the  Order — "  We 
are  a  national  political  organization"  etc.,  as  the  subsequent  history 
of  the  Order  has  clearly  demonstrated  that  while  we  are  not  par- 
tisan, we  are  to  all  intents  and  purposes  political,  and  it  is  needless 
for  any  one  to  deny  the  statement.  We  have  entered  the  portals 
of  Congress  through  our  Committees ;  we  have  "  bearded  the  lion  " 
(the  Speaker)  in  his  "den";  we  have  occupied  the  lobby  and 
smoking  rooms  of  not  only  Congress,  but  of  State  Legislatures  and 
"  button-holed  "  politicians,  and  we  have  entered  the  arena  of  politi- 
cal campaigns  and  worked  and  electioneered  for  those  whom  we  sup- 
posed would  aid  us  in  carrying  out  the  objects  and  principles  of  our 
Order,  and  at  the  same  time  labored  to  defeat  those  we  knew  were 
antagonistic  to  our  sentiments.  It  is  amusing  to  see  the  "  look  of 
terror  "  that  sweeps  across  the  countenance  of  some  of  our  members 
when  a  speaker  in  the  Council  room  "talks  politics."  What  is 
there  in  the  word  "  politics "  that  creates  such  consternation  ? 
What  says  the  lexicographer : 

"  The  branch  of  civics  that  treats  of  principles  of  civil  government 
and  the  conduct  of  state  affairs;  the  administration  of  public  affairs  in  the 
interest  of  peace,  prosperity  and  safety  of  the  state;  statecraft;  political  sci- 
ence; in  a  wide  sense  embracing  the  science  of  government  and  civil  polity." 

Says  Eev.  E.  Hitchcock  in  his  Treasury  of  Truth : 

"  I  regard  politics,  also,  or  the  principles  by  which  nations  should 
be  governed  and  regulated,  as  only  a  branch  of  ethics ;   or,  rather,  as  a 
special  application  of  the  principles  of  morality  and  religion." 
206 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  207 

Standing  upon  this  lofty  plane  of  ethical  economics,  the  Order 
of  Junior  Mechanics  is  and  has  been  for  years  a  "  national  political 
organization,"  and  the  outline  of  legislation  compiled  within  these 
pages  justifies  the  statement  and  claim. 

NATURALIZATION   AND   RESTRICTED   IMMIGRATION 

In  the  convention  of  1787,  which  framed  the  Constitution, 
and  was  the  parent  of  naturalization  laws  in  the  United  States,  the 
question  chiefly  considered  was  relative  to  the  admission  of  foreign- 
ers to  citizenship.  At  that  time  only  persons  of  European  birth 
were  contemplated.  Asiatics  and  heathen  were  not  within  the  pur- 
view. What  we  call  dangerous  classes  did  not  then  have  an  exist- 
ence. There  were  no  nations  of  Europe  "  dumping  "  their  objec- 
tionable characters  upon  our  shores  as  now,  as  at  that  time  all  the 
lower  strata  of  society  were  pressed  into  the  army  or  sold  to  other 
nations,  as  was  the  case  with  the  Hessians  in  the  Eevolution.  Yet 
with  most  favorable  immigration,  the  statesmen  in  that  convention 
were  much  divided  in  their  opinion  of  the  naturalization  question. 
South  Carolina  voted  solid  against  the  admission  of  aliens  as  citi- 
zens. Pennsylvania  was  divided  on  the  question.  One  of  the 
powers  conferred  on  Congress  by  this  convention  was  "  To  estab- 
lish a  uniform  rule  for  naturalization."  The  first  act  passed  under 
that  authority  was  on  March  16,  1790,  requiring  only  two  years 
residence,  which  enactment  was  not  popular.  An  act  passed  in 
1795  was  repealed  in  1798. 

When  the  Republicans  came  into  power  with  Jefferson  as 
President,  the  naturalization  laws  were  amended  in  1802  to  meet 
the  better  sentiment  that  prevailed,  which  was  five  years,  but  no 
attempt  was  made  to  make  them  uniform.  The  Federalists  con- 
tended for  a  longer  probationary  period,  even  some  were  favorable  to 
twenty-one  years,  and  then  to  be  ineligible  to  hold  office.  An 
effort  was  made  in  1814  at  the  Hartford  Convention  to  raise  the 
period  of  naturalization  to  nine  years,  but  no  action  was  taken. 
The  probationary  period  of  five  years,  up  to  1880,  was  satisfactory, 
in  the  main;  but  since  then  Europe  has  been  unloading  her  refuse, 
her  Anarchists,  Communists,  etc.,  so  that  the  old  naturalization  laws 
were  inadequate  to  meet  the  situation  and  the  result  was  that  many 
Avere  permitted  to  become  citizens  who  were  totally  unfit  to  use  the 
franchise. 

"What  would  those  statesmen  in  Washington's  day  think  if  they 
saw,  what  is  actually  a  fact,  a  million  of  aliens  a  year  arriving 
on  our  shores.     Washington  himself  questioned  the  advisability  of 


208  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

letting  any  more  aliens  come.  Jefferson  wished  that  "  there  was 
an  ocean  of  fire  between  this  country  and  Europe,  so  that  it  might 
be  impossible  for  any  more  immigrants  to  come  hither."  While 
statesmen  were  theorizing  on  the  question,  the  first  act  for  restric- 
tion of  immigration  was  passed  by  the  State  of  New  York,  in  1824. 
The  first  law  resulted  from  the  abuse  of  free  admission,  yet  in  that 
year  only  7,912  immigrants  arrived  in  this  country.  Among'  those 
that  came  were  paupers  and  criminals  shipped  here  by  European 
governments,  and  the  act  required  that  the  ship-masters  give  the 
name,  birthplace,  age  and  occupation  of  each  immigrant,  and  a 
bond  to  secure  the  city  against  any  public  charges.  From  that 
time  until  1862  Congress  took  no  action  on  the  immigration  ques- 
tion, at  which  time  the  Chinese  Exclusion  Act  was  passed.  Since 
then  until  1903,  Congress  has  passed  eight  acts  of  more  or  less  im- 
portance, culminating  in  the  act  of  1903,  which  as  one  has  said  to 
be  "  up  to  the  present  time  the  most  far-reaching  measure  of  its 
kind  in  force  in  any  country ;  and  the  principles  underlying  it  must 
serve  as  the  foundation  for  all  immigration  restriction."  How- 
ever, in  1882,  the  first  general  immigration  law  was  passed  which 
enlarged  the  list  for  exclusions  and  established  a  head  tax.  The 
Contract  Labor  Act  was  passed  February  26,  1885,  to  prevent  the 
importation  of  labor  under  the  padrone  or  other  similar  systems. 
The  next  act  was  passed  in  1891,  to  which  we  refer  again  in  its 
proper  connection. 

NATURALIZATION  LAW  OF  1906 

With  the  enactment  of  the  law  of  1802,  in  which  the  general 
features  of  the  law  of  1795  were  reenacted,  no  definite  effort  was 
made  to  enact  a  uniform  naturalization  law  to  govern  the  admis- 
sion of  aliens  until  the  session  of  Congress,  the  59th,  in  1906, 
when,  through  the  efforts  of  the  National  Legislative  Committee, 
represented  by  its  Secretary,  Brother  Jesse  Taylor,  the  attention 
of  Congress  was  called  to  the  needs  of  a  uniform  Naturalization 
Law,  and  a  bill,  a  most  excellent  one,  was  presented,  which  had 
many  hearings  before  the  House  Committee  on  Immigration  and 
was  finally  reported  to  the  House  on  February  26,  1906.  After 
a  bitter  fight  on  the  floor  of  the  House  of  Representatives,  it  passed 
that  body  June  5,  1906,  the  Senate  on  June  29,  and  went  into 
effect  on  September  29,  1906.  Brother  Taylor,  in  a  letter  to  the 
Order,  says: 

"  We  cannot  go  into  full  detail  in  a  letter,  but  we  say  that  had  not 
our  Order  conducted  a  campaign  for  Uniform  Naturalization  Laws,  and 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  209 

kept  a  Representative  in  Washington,  this  bill  would  not  have  passed;  we 
know  whereof  we  speak,  and  speak  the  truth." 

It  is  not  our  purpose  to  recite  the  features  of  this  bill.  It 
makes  it  uniform  throughout  the  states  and  territories,  that  no 
one  can  become  a  citizen  until  he  has  at  least  resided  in  this  country 
-five  years  and  can  read  or  speak  the  English  language,  etc.  He 
must  make  known  his  intention  to  become  a  citizen  two  years  before 
his  admission,  and  when  he  seeks  citizenship,  he  must  sign  a  paper 
to  which  he  must  make  affidavit,  and  the  same  must  be  certified  by 
competent  witnesses. 

IMMIGRATION 

The  earlier  immigration  of  our  country,  as  all  know,  was  from 
the  best  element  of  the  English,  Celtic  and  Teutonic  races,  which 
became  the  "  bone  and  sinew "  of  the  New  World.  During  the 
Colonial  period,  more  than  100,000  Germans,  it  is  said,  passed 
through  the  ports  and  spread  throughout  the  colonies.  This  immi- 
gration was  checked  during  the  Revolution,  but  revived  during  the 
Napoleonic  wars,  and  between  1831  and  1840,  the  German  immi- 
gration alone  reached  152,000.  So  strong  was  the  Teutonic  move- 
ment westward,  that  there  was  a  plan  to  buy  Texas  for  a  German 
colon}'-,  but  the  enterprise  failed.  Following  the  Civil  War,  the 
tide  of  immigration,  not  only  from  Germany,  but  from  Ireland, 
reached  a  high  plane  in  numbers,  and  the  United  States  welcomed 
the  thousands  that  came.  Mr.  Lincoln,  in  his  last  Thanksgiving 
Proclamation  said,  that  among  many  things  to  thank  God  for  was 
the  coming  of  the  thousands  of  excellent  men  and  women  from  other 
lands.  In  thirteen  years,  from  1881  to  1893  inclusive,  1,790,000 
Germans  came,  but  when  crowded  out  by  the  "  baser  sort,"  in  1900, 
Germany  furnished  but  18,000  of  the  vast  horde  that  came  to 
our  land. 

It  was  the  "  Riots  of  1877  "  that,  to  a  great  measure,  gave  an 
impulse  to  Europe's  "  scum  and  filth,"  its  motley  mass  of  anarchists, 
Nihilists,  Communists  and  paupers,  to  invade  the  land  that  "  flowed 
with  milk  and  honey."  It  was  soon  apparent  to  the  leaders  of  our 
Order  that  an  era  of  danger  had  been  reached  by  our  country  from 
unrestricted  immigration,  and  measures  were  taken  to  counteract 
the  peril.  Since  1890,  when  the  Junior  O.  U.  A.  M.  began  to  be 
prominently  recognized,  more  than  7,500,000  immigrants  have 
passed  through  the  portals  of  our  country,  two-thirds  of  whom 
were  "  undesirable  citizens  "  and  should  not  have  been  permitted  to 
enter.     It  is  an  interesting  comparison  for  the  practical  statesman 

14 


210  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

to  note  the  immigration  of  1854  and  the  immigration  of  1903,  as  to 
nationality  and  numbers  from  each  country.  In  1854,  there  emi- 
grated to  America  from  England,  48,901  ;  from  Scotland,  4,605 ; 
from  Ireland,  101,606;  from  France,  13,317;  from  Germany, 
215,000,  and  only  two  from  Russia  and  1,363  from  Italy.  Whereas, 
in  1903,  26,000  came  from  England,  6,117  from  Scotland,  35,000 
from  Ireland,  5,578  from  France  and  40,000  from  Germany,  while 
in  the  same  year  Russia  "  dumped  "  upon  our  shores  a  mighty  army 
of  136,093  souls,  and  Italy  230,622  more.  In  1854,  not  a  single 
Hungarian  emigrated  to  America,  while  in  1903,  Austria-Hun- 
gary "  vomited  "  upon  our  fair  land  206,011  human  beings.  Since 
1821,  when  the  first  statistics  were  kept,  until  1900,  21,265,723 
souls  passed  through  our  gates.  Of  this  vast  host,  Italy 
furnished  1,589,219,  Eussia  1,242,255  and  Austria-Hungary, 
1,522,955. 

THE  FIRST  MOVEMENT  FOR  IMMIGRATION  LEGISLATION  IN 
THE  ORDER 

The  first  movement  in  the  Order  in  behalf  of  restricted  immi- 
gration, originated  in  the  State  Council  of  Pennsylvania,  at  its 
session  held  in  1870,  when  the  following  resolution  was  adopted : 

"  Whereas,  There  is  a  disposition  among  certain  persons  in  this 
country  to  cheapen  American  labor,  by  the  importation  of  Chinese  to 
compete  with  the  sons  of  toil;  therefore,  be  it 

"  Resolved,  That  the  State  Council  of  Pennsylvania,  Junior 
O.  U.  A.  M.,  do  most  strenuously  oppose  the  same,  and  call  upon  all  mem- 
bers of  the  Order  to  oppose  the  same  by  all  honorable  means  in  their 
power." 

Eleven  years  passed  ere  we  hear  a  word  on  the  subject  of 
immigration  emanating  from  the  Order;  and  this  time  again  from 
the  State  Council  of  Pennsylvania  at  its  annual  session  of  1881. 
The  foul  blow  that  struck  down  President  James  A.  Garfield,  in- 
spired the  presentation  of  two  memorials,  and  if  adopted,  to  be 
submitted  to  Congress,  one  on  the  naturalization  of  those  foreign- 
born  and  the  other  praying  for  restricted  immigration  laws. 
The  first  memorial  set  forth  the  evils  and  injustice  of  the  natural- 
ization laws  that  gave  the  right  of  franchise  to  a  foreigner  after 
five  years'  residence,  and  petitioned  the  legislative  body  of  the  land, 
the  first  of  its  kind  coming  from  the  Order,  to  change  the  statute 
by  requiring  twenty-one  years'  residence  as  a  qualification  for  citi- 
zenship. The  second  memorial  set  forth  the  evils  of  unrestricted 
immigration  and  the  dangers  arising  therefrom  in  the  organiza- 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  211 

tions  of  foreigners  in  opposition  to  republican  institutions,  and 
asked  Congress  to  enact  laws  that  would  better  control  the  immi- 
gration problem  by  placing  some  restrictions  thereon.  It  was  also 
recommended  in  the  first  memorial,  that  not  only  twenty-one  years' 
residence  should  qualify  a  foreigner  for  citizenship,  but  he  should 
be  required  to  read  the  Constitution  of  the  United  States  in  the 
English  language. 

The  Junior  Order,  however,  at  this  time  was  not  strongly  pro- 
nounced upon  the  immigration  question,  as  the  subject  stirred  up 
a  bitter  opposition,  not  so  much  on  the  two  important  questions  out- 
lined in  the  memorials,  but  the  tinge  of  politics  that  appeared  in  Hie 
preamble  referring  to  the  unfortunate  factional  differences  in  the 
Republican  Party  which  it  was  claimed  was  the  indirect  cause  of 
the  shooting  of  President  Garfield.  Politics  in  the  Republican 
Party  were  at  "  boiling  heat "  at  this  period,  and  overlooking  the 
crowning  evil  that  was  threatening  our  land,  the  brethren  finally 
defeated  the  adoption  of  the  memorials  by  a  vote  of  ayes  42,  nays  65. 

Again,  in  1883,  in  annual  session,  the  State  Council  of  Penn- 
sylvania puts  its  veto  on  a  similar  memorial  with  the  above.  At 
this  time  Nihilism,  Socialism  and  Fenianism  were  rampant  in  this 
country  threatening  the  peace  of  society,  while  paupers  and  con- 
tract laborers  were  being  imported  in  large  numbers.  A  resolu- 
tion was  offered  that  a  committee  of  five  be  appointed  to  draft 
a  memorial  to  Congress  bringing  these  evils  to  their  attention,  and 
asking  for  legislation  to  restrain  alien  conspiracies  and  to  pre- 
vent this  country  from  being  made  the  depository  for  the  pauper 
and  criminal  classes  of  Europe.  It  seems  the  Order  had  not  yet 
awakened  to  the  dangers  and  needs  of  the  hour  or  they  would  not 
have  defeated  such  a  resolution. 

THE   NATIONAL  COUNCIL   ON   THE   SUBJECT   OF   IMMIGRATION 

It  was  not  until  the  session  of  1887,  that  the  National  Body 
voiced  its  sentiments  on  the  question  of  immigration.  A  resolu- 
tion was  presented  by  H.  J.  Deily  and  Walter  Orange  that  a  com- 
mittee of  three  be  appointed  to  draw  up  a  memorial  to  Congress 
praying  for  the  enactment  of  laws  "prohibiting  the  landing  of 
immigrants  embodying  elements  detrimental  to  the  institutions  on 
the  preservation  of  which  the  perpetuity  of  our  government  de- 
pends." This  resolution,  happily,  was  adopted  and  the  National 
Councilor  appointed  as  the  committee,  Deily,  Orange  and  Dc  Haven. 
In  the  meantime  the  memorial  was  prepared,  and  attached  thereto 


212  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

were  30,000  signatures  and  the  same  was  placed  in  the  hands  of 
the  proper  officers  of  Congress. 

Along  about  1890,  there  was  organized  in  the  city  of  Phila- 
delphia, Pa.,  what  was  known  as  "  The  American  Defense  Associa- 
tion," and  about  the  same  time  an  organization  was  formed  in 
Pittsburg,  same  state,  known  as  "  The  Advisory  Association,"  both 
having  the  same  object — the  restriction  of  immigration — and  both 
organizations  were  manned  by  members  of  the  Order.  Their  work, 
however,  was  along  different  channels,  obtaining  signatures  to 
petitions  and  stirring  up  sentiment  upon  the  great  and  vital  ques- 
tion, and  calling  the  attention  of  Congress  to  a  consideration  of 
the  needs  of  the  hour.  Congressman  W.  A.  Stone,  of  Pennsylvania, 
himself  a  Junior,  afterward  Governor  of  the  Commonwealth,  cham- 
pioned the  cause  of  the  Junior  Order  in  its  first  efforts  to  check 
the  evils  of  unrestricted  immigration,  and  nobly  did  he  fight  for 
our  cause  when  the  question  was  immensely  unpopular  in  Con- 
gress. At  first  the  statesmen  who  were  associated  with  Col.  Stone 
greeted  his  proposition  with  derision;  but  our  champion  was  not 
deterred  from  his  purpose,  but  backed  by  the  great  patriotic  army 
of  Juniors,  he  again  and  again  pressed  his  bill,  overcoming  opposi- 
tion and  prejudice  until,  as  Chairman  of  the  Immigration  Commit- 
tee, he  was  able  to  bring  before  the  House  a  bill  that  met  with  a 
fair  approval  and  carried  the  day.     Of  this  more  hereafter. 

It  may  be  safely  stated,  that  since  1890  the  Junior  O.  U.  A.  M., 
as  an  organization,  has  been  in  the  forefront  for  remedial  legisla- 
tion, in  both  state  and  nation,  in  harmony  with  its  principles. 
While  many  of  the  efforts  put  forth  by  the  Order  failed  in  their 
purpose,  still  it  is  proper  that  a  resume  of  what  the  organization 
tried  to  do  should  be  preserved  as  well  as  what  it  did  accomplish 
by  the  means  of  legislation.  No  other  patriotic  organization  has 
had  its  State  or  National  Legislative  Committees  to  represent  the 
body  in  the  halls  of  State  Legislatures  and  Congress  in  the  interest 
of  the  public  school,  immigration  and  other  vital  issues  that  have 
arisen  since  1890. 

THE    AMERICAN"    DEFENSE    ASSOCIATION 

Eeference  has  been  made  above  to  the  American  Defense  Asso- 
ciation of  Philadelphia.  This  Association  was  organized  in  1889 
at  a  convention  called,  at  which  two-thirds  of  the  Councils  of 
Philadelphia  were  represented,  and  the  following  objects  were 
adopted : 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  213 

"  1.  To  cause  to  be  introduced  into  the  National  Congress  a  bill 
restricting  and  regulating  immigration,  and  to  use  all  honorable  means 
to  secure  its  passage. 

"  2.  To  use  every  effort  to  secure  the  passage  of  a  bill  to  amend 
the  naturalization  laws. 

"  3.  To  endeavor  to  secure  the  passage  of  a  national  educational 
bill. 

"  4.  To  endeavor  to  place  upon  the  statute  books  a  law  reserving 
lands  for  American  citizens,  and  to  prevent  alien  non-residents  from 
owning  real  estate  in  the  United  States. 

"  5.  To  advocate  the  passage  of  any  and  all  bills  before  Congress 
which  may  tend  to  elevate  and  foster  the  American  workman  and  general 
American  principles. 

"  6.  To  send  a  committee  to  Washington  to  take  charge  of  the  interests 
of  the  Association  involving  all  of  the  foregoing  objects." 

The  President  of  the  Association  was  Brother  Chas.  Asmus, 
of  No.  190,  and  the  Secretary,  who  also  represented  the  Associa- 
tion at  Washington,  was  Past  State  Councilor  H.  J.  Deily,  of  No. 
12.  The  above  objects  were  endorsed  at  the  session  of  the  National 
Council  in  1890. 

The  American  Defense  Association  continued  its  work  under 
the  endorsement  of  the  National  Body,  but  without  any  financial 
support  given  it  officially,  until  the  establishment  of  the  National 
Legislative  Committee,  to  which  committee  was  entrusted  all  the 
work  of  legislation.  However,  the  Association  as  well  as  the 
Advisory  Association  of  Pittsburg  worked  independently  in  the 
interest  of  immigration  and  similar  issues,  and  in  justice  to  them, 
these  two  organizations  deserve  much  credit  for  sentiment  aroused 
and  work  done. 

THE  NATIONAL  LEGISLATIVE  COMMITTEE 

In  the  meantime  there  was  a  growing  sentiment  arising  in  the 
National  Council  for  a  more  positive  stand  for  legislation  in  the 
interests  of  better  immigration  laws  and  the  public  school  system, 
and  that  the  prosecution  of  such  measures  should  be  under  the 
supervision  of  the  National  Body  rather  than  by  auxiliary  associa- 
tions in  the  ranks  of  the  Order,  from  which  there  was  a  possible 
detriment  to  the  executive  power  in  the  future.  With  this  thought 
in  mind,  at  the  session  of  the  National  Council  in  1891,  a  resolu- 
tion was  offered  suggesting  the  creation  of  a  National  Legislative 
Committee,  which  was  referred  to  a  special  committee  to  report  at 
the  next  session.  That  Committee  at  Atlantic  City,  N.  J.,  in 
1892,  reported  in  favor  of  such  Committee,  which  was  adopted. 
This  Committee,  as  originally  created,  was  composed  of  the  Na- 
tional Councilor,  National  Vice-Councilor,  National  Secretary,  and 


214  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

one  member  of  the  Board  of  Officers  from  each  state  and  one  mem- 
ber from  each  state  where  there  was  no  State  Council.  The  first 
three  officers  comprised  the  Cabinet  Committee  to  whom  all  pros- 
pective legislation  had  to  be  presented  for  approval.  In  connec- 
tion with  the  National  Legislative  Committee,  there  were  auxiliary 
with  it,  State  Legislative  Committees  created  by  State  Councils. 
Two  Committees  were  established  to  be  elected  by  the  National 
Legislative  Committee,  viz. :  Executive  and  Correspondence  and 
Press  Committees,  the  former  consisting  of  nine  members  and  the 
latter  of  five.  The  first  named  committee  formulated  methods  to 
promulgate  legislation,  and  at  the  same  time  all  prospective  legis- 
lation had  to  be  considered  by  said  Committee  before  being  handed 
over  to  the  National  Legislative  Committee  and  from  them  to  the 
Cabinet  for  final  approval.  The  Press  Committee  was  entrusted 
with  the  collection  of  papers  and  distribution  of  literature  bearing 
upon  the  various  subjects  coming  up  for  legislation.  The  object 
of  this  Committee  is  summed  up  in  its  fourth  section,  viz. : 

"  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  National  Legislative  Committee  to 
proceed  at  once  and  by  every  honorable  means  endeavor  to  have  legislation 
enacted  in  the  National  Congress  and  several  Legislatures,  controlling, 
restricting  or  prohibiting  immigration,  and  also  such  National  and  State 
Legislation  as  will  protect  and  promote  the  public  school  system  and  pre- 
vent sectarian  interference  therewith,  and  also  to  use  every  effort  to  have 
such  statutes  on  the  subject  that  exist,  or  may  be  enacted,  properly 
enforced,  and  also  to  endeavor  to  secure  the  cooperation  of  all  other 
American  organizations  in  our  objects." 

The  National  Legislative  Committee  was  as  follows: 

James  Cranston,  National  Councilor, 

H.  A.  Kibbe,  National  Vice-Councilor, 

E.  S.  Deemer,  National  Secretary, 

A.  L.  Cray,  State  Council  Secretary  of  Indiana, 

J.  S.  Reynolds,  State  Council  Secretary  of  Illinois, 

E.  L.  Price,  State  Councilor  of  Iowa, 

Charles  Reimer,  State  Council  Treasurer  of  Maryland, 

G.  II.  Thomas,  Junior  Past  State  Councilor  of  Michigan, 

J.  L.  Collins,  State  Councilor  of  Missouri, 

A.  M.  Moulton,  State  Council  Secretary  of  New  Hampshire, 

J.  T.  Thacker,  Junior  Past  State  Councilor  of  North  Carolina, 

J.  C.  Thompson,  State  Councilor  of  Nebraska, 

C.   W.  Lisle,   State  Vice-Councilor   of  New  York, 

J.  G.  A.  Richter,  Junior  Past  State  Councilor  of  Ohio, 

H.  A.  Heisler,  Junior  Past  State  Councilor  of  Pennsylvania, 

E.  G.  Howard,  Junior  Past  State  Councilor  of  Virginia, 

G.  E.  Boyd,  State  Councilor  of  Washing-ton, 

E.  D.  Lappert,  State  Councilor  of  West  Virginia, 

H.  A.  Kinney,  State  Councilor  of  Wisconsin. 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  215 

Pursuant  to  a  call  of  the  National  Councilor,  the  Committee 
met  at  Pittsburg,  Pa.,  January  2,  1893,  ten  members  being  present, 
and  formulated  methods  of  procedure  provided  in  the  Legislative 
Plan.     The  following  Executive  Committee  was  chosen : 

Past  State  Councilor  H.  J.  Deily,  of  Pennsylvania,  Chairman; 
Tast  National  Councilor  Harry  Stites  and  National  Kepresentative 
P.  A.  Shanor,  of  Pennsylvania ;  S.  C,  H.  A.  Kinney,  of  Wisconsin ; 
State  Councilor  W.  N.  Stevens  and  Junior  Past  State  Councilor 
G.  H.  Thomas,  of  Michigan ;  Junior  Past  State  Councilor  J.  G.  A. 
Ptichter,  of  Ohio;  National  Eepresentative  A.  J.  Smith,  of  New 
Jersey. 

The  Correspondence  and  Press  Committee  selected  were  as 
follows: 

Past  State  Councilor  Stephen  Collins,  of  Pennsylvania,  Chair- 
man ;  Howard  Van  Wyck,  of  Wisconsin ;  E.  A.  Sellers,  of  Michigan ; 
Past  State  Councilor  T.  B.  Ivey,  of  Virginia;  National  Represen- 
tative G.  W.  McFarland,  of  New  Jersey. 

Fully  comprehending  the  needs  of  the  hour  and  in  hearty  sym- 
pathy with  the  newly  created  National  Legislative  Committee,  the 
esteemed  National  Councilor  Brother  Cranston,  in  his  report,  has 
this  to  say: 

"  Our  Order  lias  reached  such  proportions  that  it  is  in  a  position 
to  redeem  its  pledges.  In  its  published  Objects  and  Declaration  of  Prin- 
ciples, it  announces  it  has  certain  ends  to  accomplish — that  it  exists  for 
a  purpose.  In  achieving  its  aims,  there  must  be  some  systematic  method 
pursued,  some  plan  that  will  concentrate  the  strength  of  the  organization 
upon  any  particular  movement.  Desultory,  spasmodic  work  will  not  be 
successful,  and  I  believe  that  in  the  legislative  plan  promulgated  by  this 
body,  the  desired  elements  exist. 

"  The  plan,  however,  must  be  observed  in  its  entirety,  and  local 
movements,  even  though  blameless  in  themselves,  have  a  tendency  to 
disintegration,  to  destruction  of  system,  that  makes  them  injurious.  It 
should  be  thorougly  understood  that  all  must  work  together,  as  an  army 
of  soldiers  go  to  battle,  moving  in  unison  under  one  plan  and  for  one 
purpose. 

"  Our  members  must  realize  that  the  day  for  sentiment  regarding 
our  objects  is  past.  It  is  not  theoretical  but  practical  patriotism  that 
the  times  demand.  Speeches  in  the  Council  room  will  not  restrict  immi- 
gration, protect  our  public  schools  or  advance  American  interests.  The 
place  to  display  our  patriotism  is  at  the  polls.  Political-  patriotism  is 
the  kind  of  patriotism  needed  in  this  age.  The  Junior  Order  of  United 
American  Mechanics  is  a  '  standing  army,'  whose  duty  is  to  guard  Amer- 
ican institutions,  and  the  ballot  is  its  weapon.  All  we  need,  is  to  '  shoot 
straight '." 


216  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

The  work  of  the  National  Legislative  Committee  was  started 
in  earnest  by  exerting  its  influence  in  securing  the  passage  of  the 
Chandler  Immigration  Bill,  March  3,  1893.  Thousands  of  signa- 
tures, estimated  at  30,000,  were  obtained  and  forwarded  to  Senator 
Chandler,  as  well  as  hundreds  of  resolutions  passed  by  the  Sub- 
ordinate Councils,  praying  for  the  enactment  of  the  proposed  bill. 
The  provisions  of  the  act  passed,  in  brief,  are  as  follows : 

Requiring  manifests  and  their  verification;  providing  boards  of 
special  inquiry;  and  compelling  steamship  companies  to  post  in  offices 
of  their  agents  copies  of  the  United  States  immigration  laws,  and  to 
call  the  attention  of  purchasers  of  tickets  to  them. 

One  year's  experience  demonstrated  the  truthfulness  of  the 
saying,  "  large  bodies  move  slowly,"  so  far  as  the  National  Legisla- 
tive Committee  was  concerned.  The  National  Council  at  its  next 
session  changed  the  complexion  of  the  Committee,  making  the  num- 
ber five,  and  the  same  were  appointed  by  the  National  Board  of 
Officers.  After  some  controversy  in  the  Board,  the  following  were 
appointed  the  National  Legislative  Committee,  following  the  ses- 
sion of  the  National  Council  of  1893 : 

H.  J.  Deo-y,  J.  S.  Reynolds, 

Robert  Carson,  W.  A.  Gordon, 

P.  A.  Shanor. 

H.  J.  Deily  subsequently  resigned  and  Boger  J.  Armstrong 
was  appointed  in  his  place. 

THE  STONE  IMMIGKATION  BILL 

Hon.  William  A.  Stone,  of  Pennsylvania,  also  a  member  of 
the  Order,  introduced  in  the  House  of  Representatives  in  1893, 
what  was  known  on  the  calendar  as  "  H.  B.  Bill  5246,"  which 
received  the  hearty  endorsement  of  the  Order  and  was  supported  by 
the  National  Legislative  Committee.  It  provided  for  Consular 
Inspection  of  immigrants,  and  consisted  of  but  two  sections.  The 
first  section  of  the  bill  reads  as  follows: 

"  That  no  alien  immigrant  shall  be  admitted  within  the  United 
States  unless  he  or  she  shall  exhibit  to  the  United  States  inspectors  of 
arriving  immigrants  at  the  place  of  admission  a  certificate  signed  by  the 
United  States  consul  or  other  authorized  representative  of  the  United 
States  at  the  place  nearest  where  said  immigrant  last  resided,  setting 
forth  that  the  said  consul  or  other  United  States  representative  has  made 
an  investigation  concerning  said  immigrant  and  that  said  immigrant 
does  not  belong  to  the  class  or  classes  of  alien  immigrants  excluded  from 
admission   into   the   United    States   under    the   provisions   of   the   Act   of 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  217 

Congress  approved  March  third,  189],  entitled  'An  act  in  amendment  to 
the  various  acts  relative  to  immigration  and  the  importation  of  aliens 
under  contract  or  agreement  to  perform  labor,  its  amendments  or  supple- 
ments,' or  by  any  other  law  of  the  United  States  that  now  exists  or  may 
hereafter  be  passed.  Said  immigrant  shall,  in  addition,  conform  to  all 
present  requirements  of  law. 

"  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  United  States  consuls  and  United  States 
representatives  in  other  countries  to  investigate  and  grant  or  withhold 
certificates,  as  shall  be  disclosed  on  investigation  under  the  directions 
and  instructions  of  the  State  Department,  according  to  the  laws  of  the 
United  States  aforesaid." 

The  above  bill  was  referred  to  the  House  Committee  on  Im- 
migration and  Naturalization,  of  which  representative  Geissen- 
hainer,  of  New  Jersey,  was  Chairman.  Mr.  Geissenhainer  being 
unalterably  opposed  to  the  passage  of  any  immigration  measure 
satisfactory  to  the  Order,  Colonel  Stone  succeeded  in  having  his 
bill  taken  from  the  above  named  Committee  and  referred  to  the 
Committee  on  Judiciary.  The  National  Legislative  Committee 
took  active  interest  in  the  passage  of  the  bill,  and  through  their 
efforts,  along  with  the  Press  Committee,  much  sentiment  was 
aroused  throughout  the  country,  more  than  2,000  newspapers  hav- 
ing commented  favorably  upon  the  proposed  bill,  and  in  many  cases 
gave  the  Order  full  credit  for  the  work  it  was  doing.  Thousands 
of  personal  letters  were  written  to  Congressmen  asking  their  support 
of  the  measure,  while  petitions  and  resolutions  from  Subordinate 
Councils  were  sent  by  the  hundreds.  Congressman  Stone,  who 
stood  like  a  "  Stone  wall "  against  all  opposition  to  the  bill,  worked 
ardently  for  the  measure  and,  as  the  sequel  shows,  with  success. 
Eecognizing  the  services  of  the  Junior  Order  in  the  aid  given  him, 
he  wrote  to  the  Committee  the  following  letter,  dated  June  8, 
1894: 

"  I  beg  the  privilege  of  acknowledging  the  valuable  services  of  the 
National  Legislative  Committee  of  the  Junior  Order  of  United  American 
Mechanics  in  support  of  House  Bill  5246,  to  restrict  immigration. 

"  Whether  the  bill  ever  becomes  a  law  or  not,  its  passage  has  been 
greatly  facilitated  by  the  action  of  your  committee. 

"  It  was  necessary  to  educate  the  public  upon  this  subject  and  to 
bring  the  attention  of  the  people  to  it.  I  am  in  receipt  of  almost  daily 
letters  from  nearly  every  part  of  the  United  States  favoring  the  passage 
of  the  bill,  written  by  people  whose  attention  has  been  called  to  the 
matter  by  the  labors  of  your  committee. 

"  I  have  been  spoken  to  by  a  large  number  of  Congressmen  who 
received  letters  from  their  constituents  urging  the  passage  of  the  bill, 
and  who  said  that  they  intended  to  support  it;  all  this  was  brought  about 
by  your  committee  and  by  the  efforts  of  other  local  organizations,  and 
individual  efforts  of  the  Junior  Order  of  United  American  Mechanics.  .  .  ." 


218  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

Having  succeeded  in  taking  the  bill  from  the  Committee  on 
Immigration,  as  stated,  which  Committee  was  under  the  influence 
of  the  steamship  lobb}r,  Congressman  Stone  had  it  referred  to  the 
Judiciary  Committee,  which  Committee  reported  it  out  immediately 
and  it  was  placed  upon  the  calendar.  Mr.  Geissenhainer  kept  close 
watch  on  the  bill  for  the  purpose  of  fighting  it  in  the  House  on 
final  passage.  Col.  Stone,  however,  was  on  the  alert  and  his  quick 
wit  saw  how  the  "  Eubicon  could  be  crossed,"  and  the  New  Jersey- 
man  was  beaten  by  strategy.     It  was  in  this  wise : 

On  the  day  assigned  to  the  Judiciary  Committee  the  bill 
was  placed  on  the  House  calendar,  and  finding  it  far  down  on  the 
list,  Mr.  Geissenhainer  went  over  to  the  Senate  to  watch  some 
exciting  proceedings  going  on  there.  As  soon  as  he  had  left  the 
House,  Mr.  Stone  had  the  bill  called  up  out  of  place;  but  the  New 
Jerseyman  had  left  a  scout  to  watch  for  any  trick  that  might  be 
played  by  the  Pennsylvania  champion  of  Immigration,  and  a  page 
was  dispatched  immediately  after  Mr.  Geissenhainer.  Colonel 
Stone  observed  the  proceeding  and,  to  cut  matters  short,  he  said 
to  the  small  number  of  members  present  that  the  bill  was  such  a 
meritorious  one  and  that  he  had  so  much  confidence  it  would  meet 
with  universal  commendation,  that  he  would  dispense  with  the 
speech  he  had  intended  to  make  and  ask  for  immediate  vote.  Just 
as  the  vote  was  announced  by  the  Clerk,  declaring  its  passage, 
the  New  Jerseyman  came  rushing  into  the  House  to  find  himself 
outwitted  by  the  wily  Pennsylvanian. 

In  this  connection  it  might  be  stated,  that  when  Mr.  Geissen- 
hainer came  up  for  reelection  same  year,  the  National  Legislative 
Committee  sent  a  representative  into  his  district  and  worked  up 
sentiment  against  him  which  resulted  in  his  remaining  at  home. 
Yet  some  say  the  Order  is  not  political. 

The  Stone  Bill,  as  passed  by  the  House,  was  sent  over  to  the 
Senate  where  it  had  "  rough  sailing."  Senator  Hill,  backed  by  the 
steamship  lobby,  offered  a  substitute,  known  as  the  "  Hill  Anti- 
Anarchist  Bill,"  in  order  to  bury  the  Stone  Bill,  and  it  passed 
the  Senate  August  6,  1894.  The  substitute,  however,  subsequently 
was  withdrawn  and  the  original  Stone  Bill  placed  on  the  calendar 
and  action  thereon  was  postponed  until  the  December  session. 
In  the  short  session  of  the  Fifty-third  Congress  Senator  Hill, 
Chairman  of  the  Senate  Committee  on  Immigration,  refused  to  call 
up  the  bill,  and  Congress  adjourned  without  any  further  action 
being  taken  thereon. 

In  the  meantime  Hon.  W.  S.  Linton  prepared  a  bill  for  the 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  219 

restriction  of  immigration,  which,  in  the  estimation  of  the  National 
Legislative  Committee,  was  considered  a  more  perfect  measure  than 
the  Stone  Bill,  and  approved  it  and  had  it  introduced  to  Congress. 
The  National  Council  of  1895,  however,  did  not  approve  of  this 
recommendation,  and  reendorsed  the  Stone  Bill,  and  recommended 
its  reintroduction  to  the  Fifty-fourth  Congress.  Colonel  Stone, 
in  a  letter  to  Past  State  Councilor  F.  J.  Shaler,  a  member  of  the 
National  Legislative  Committee,  gave  his  views  on  the  matter  quite 
freely.  He  expressed  confidence  that  the  House  would  again  pass 
the  bill,  but  feared  the  Senate  and  the  Immigration  Bureau  which 
were  hostile  to  the  measure.  He  advocated  taking  up  no  other, 
though  stronger  and  more  drastic  measure,  as  in  his  opinion  the 
country  was  not  yet  ready  for  a  more  complete  enactment,  and 
that  we  had  best  take  "  half  a  loaf  "  than  none  at  all.  This  senti- 
ment seemed  to  prevail,  as  the. people  were  being  slowly  educated 
to  the  needs  of  the  hour  and  it  was  useless  to  force  a  stronger 
measure  at  the  time. 

THE   MCCALL-CORLISS   AND   LODGE   BILLS   ON  IMMIGRATION 

Following  the  session  of  the  National  Council  of  1895,  Broth- 
ers A.  D.  Wilkin,  Stephen  Collins,  F.  J.  Shaler,  W.  E.  Orange 
and  Robert  Carson  were  appointed  as  the  National  Legislative  Com- 
mittee, which  subsequently  was  organized  by  the  selection  of  A.  D. 
Wilkin  as  Chairman  and  Stephen  Collins  as  Secretary  and  Cor- 
respondence and  Press  Committee.  The  Committee  at  once  en- 
tered upon  a  vigorous  campaign  in  the  interest  of  legislation,  espe- 
cially on  immigration.  And  while  they  urged  the  passage  of  the 
Stone  Bill,  as  per  endorsement  of  the  National  Body,  their  primary 
object  to  secure  this  result,  still  they  did  not  lose  sight  of  the  fact 
that  what  the  Order  wanted  was  some  enactment  to  restrict  immi- 
gration irrespective  of  what  particular  bill  that  might  be  passed. 
When  Congress  convened  there  were  introduced  into  the  House  of 
Bepresentatives  three  bills  to  restrict  immigration,  viz. :  One  by 
Congressman  Stone,  a  reintroduction  of  the  one  that  failed  at  the 
last  session  in  the  Senate,  one  by  Mr.  McCall  and  the  other  by 
Mr.  Corliss.  Notwithstanding  the  fact  that  the  Chairman  of  the 
House  Committee  on  Immigration,  Mr.  Bartholdt,  was  opposed  to 
any  legislation  on  the  subject,  all  three  bills  were  reported  favorably 
by  the  Committee.  The  Senate  had  but  one  bill  introduced  into 
that  body,  that  by  Senator  Lodge,  and  the  same  was  reported  favor- 
ably by  the  Senate  Committee  on  Immigration,  the  Lodge  Bill 
being  the  same  as  the  McCall  Bill  in  the  House. 


220  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

In  opposition  to  the  passage  of  any  bill  restricting  immigra- 
tion, were  the  steamship  companies  and,  to  some  extent,  the  German 
element.  To  overcome  this  opposition  that  had  millions  at  its 
back,  the  National  Legislative  Committee  sent  out  50,000  blank 
petitions  for  use  in  securing  signatures  to  be  sent  to  Congress ;  and 
it  was  to  be  a  wide-spread  petition,  the  signers  not  to  mention  the 
name  of  the  Order  or  place  thereto  the  seal  of  the  Council,  but  to 
sign  as  citizens  of  the  United  States,  irrespective  of  nationality, 
race,  party  or  church  affiliations.  This  popular  movement  inaugur- 
ated by  the  Committee  resulted  in  tens  of  thousands  of  signatures 
being  attached  to  the  petitions  that  were  sent  to  the  members  of  the 
House  and  Senate. 

Another  fact  that  made  the  passage  of  any  measure  on  immi- 
gration very  doubtful,  was  the  attitude  of  Hon.  Thomas  B.  Eeed, 
Speaker  of  the  House,  who,  arrogating  to  himself  the  arbitrary 
powers  of  a  "  Czar/'  refused  to  permit  the  bills  being  placed  upon 
the  House  calendar.  Seeing  defeat  by  longer  delay,  the  Legislative 
Committee  sent  out  a  special  appeal  for  members  of  the  Order  to 
write  personal  letters  to  Speaker  Reed  urging  him  to  allow  action 
to  be  taken  on  the  bills  before  the  House.  As  a  result  of  this 
appeal  there  was  a  spontaneous  outburst  of  letter-writing  on  the 
part  of  the  members  of  the  Order,  and  Speaker  Reed  was  literally 
overwhelmed  with  letters,  thousands  coming  in  a  day,  until  he 
could  stand  the  pressure  no  longer.  The  communications  from 
the  brothers  of  the  Order  began  arriving  in  his  mail-box  on  May  6, 
and  by  the  15  th,  he  yielded  to  the  powerful  sentiment  that  had 
been  put  in  motion  and  announced  that  he  would  recognize  the 
demand  of  the  friends  of  immigration  and  gave  them  two  days, 
May  19  and  20,  for  consideration  of  the  bills  before  them.  On  the 
20th,  the  vote  was  taken  on  the  McCall  Bill,  which  seemed  to  have 
the  preference,  and  it  passed  by  195  to  26.  The  McCall  Bill  was 
so  amended,  however,  as  to  include  the  Corliss  Bill,  and  the  text  of 
the  full  bill  is  as  follows: 

"  That  Section  1  of  the  act  of  March  3,  1893,  an  amendment  of 
the  immigration  and  contract  labor  acts,  be  and  hereby  is  amended  by 
adding  to  the  classes  of  aliens  thereby  excluded  from  admission  to  the 
United  States  the  following:  All  male  persons  between  sixteen  and  sixty 
years  of  age  who  cannot  both  read  and  write  the  English  language,  or 
some  other  language.  But  no  parent  of  a  person  now  living  in,  or  here- 
after admitted  to  this  country  shall  be  excluded  because  of  his  inability 
to  read  and  write. 

"  Section  2.  That  the  provisions  of  the  act  of  March  3,  1893,  to  facili- 
tate the  enforcement  of  the  immigration  and  contract  labor  laws,  shall 
apply  to  the  persons  mentioned  in  Section  1  of  this  act. 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  221 

"  Section  3.  That  it  shall  be  unlawful  for  any  alien  who  resides  or 
retains  his  home  in  a  foreign  country  to  enter  the  United  States  for 
the  purpose  of  engaging  in  any  mechanical  trade  or  manual  labor  within 
the  borders  thereof  while  residing  or  retaining  his  home  in  a  foreign 
country;  Provided,  That  the  Secretary  of  the  Treasury  may  permit  aliens 
to  come  into  and  enter  this  country  for  the  purpose  of  teaching  new  arts 
or  industries,  under  such  rules  and  regulations  as  he  may  provide. 

"  Section  4.  That  it  shall  be  unlawful  for  any  person,  partnership, 
company  or  corporation  knowingly  to  employ  in  any  mechanical  trade 
or  manual  labor  in  the  United  States  any  alien  who  resides  or  retains 
his  home  in  a  foreign  country ;  Provided,  that  the  provisions  of  this  act 
shall  not  apply  to  the  employment  of  sailors,  deck  hands,  or  other  em- 
ployees of  vessels  of  the  United  States,  or  railroad  train  hands,  such  as 
conductors,  engineers,  brakemen,  firemen  and  baggagemen,  whose  duties 
require  them  to  pass  over  the  frontier  to  reach  the  termini  of  their  roads. 

"  Section  5.  That  it  shall  be  unlawful  for  any  alien  to  enter  the 
United  States  except  subjects  of  the  Dominion  of  Canada  and  other 
American  countries,  except  at  the  place  where  the  United  States  maintain 
an  immigrant  inspection  board. 

"  Section  6.  That  any  violation  of  the  provisions  of  this  act  shall  be 
deemed  a  misdemeanor,  punishable  by  a  fine  of  not  exceeding  five  hundred 
dollars  or  imprisonment  for  the  term  of  not  exceeding  one  year,  or  both 
such  fine  and  imprisonment,  in  the  discretion  of  the  court.  That  all  per- 
sons convicted  under  Section  3  of  this  act  shall  be  deported  to  the  country 
from  whence  they  came. 

"  Section  7.  That  this  act  shall  take  effect  three  months  after  its 
passage." 

It  might  be  well  to  state  that  the  excluded  classes  noted  in  the 
act  of  1891  were  as  follows: 

"  All  idiots  and  insane  persons,  paupers  or  persons  likely  to  become 
a  public  charge,  those  suffering  from  a  loathsome  or  contagious  disease, 
or  a  person  convicted  of  a  felony  or  other  infamous  crime,  all  dissolute 
women,  a  polygamist,  or  a  person  under  contract  (express  or  implied) 
to  perform  labor  in  the  United  States,  or  any  person  whose  ticket  or 
passage  is  paid  for  by  another,  except  by  a  relative;  also  all  Chinese 
laborers." 

The  Stone  Bill  did  not  add  any  to  these  excluded  classes,  but 
only  provided  for  examination  to  be  made  by  United  States  con- 
suls at  port  of  debarkation,  instead  of  at  the  place  of  landing, 
which,  had  it  been  made  a  law  would  have  materially  reduced  the 
number  of  immigrants.  The  bill  that  was  passed  in  the  House  at 
this  time,  if  properly  enforced,  had  the  intention  of  debarring  the 
ignorant  classes,  fully  75  per  cent. 

The  McCall-Corliss  Bill,  or  as  it  was  termed  in  the  Senate, 
"  Lodge-Corliss  Bill,"  was  delayed  in  that  body  by  the  determined 
opposition  of  the  powerful  steamship  lobby,  but  after  being  cham- 
pioned by  Senators  Lodge  and  Chandler,  the  bill  finally  passed  the 


222  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

Senate  in  the  closing  hours  of  the  Fifty-fourth  Congress.  Thia 
was  a  decisive  victory  for  the  Junior  Order,  as  it  was  the  culmina- 
tion of  nearly  seven  years  of  hard  work  on  the  part  of  the  National 
Legislative  Committee;  but  the  triumph  was  short-lived,  as  one 
single  stroke  of  President  Cleveland's  veto-pen  doomed  the  measure 
to  ultimate  defeat.  While  the  House  passed  the  bill  over  his  veto, 
the  Senate  was  unable  to  do  so,  and  the  bill  was  dead.  Although 
discouraged  by  their  defeat,  but  not  disheartened,  cast  down  but 
not  dismayed,  the  National  Legislative  Committee,  through  its 
energetic  Secretary,  Brother  Collins,  again  prepared  for  battle,  and 
similar  bills  to  that  which  had  been  defeated  were  introduced  into 
the  Senate  and  House  at  the  extra  session  of  Congress,  March, 
1897,  in  the  former  by  Senator  Henry  Cabot  Lodge  and  in  the  latter 
body  by  Judge  Lorenzo  Danford. 


CHAPTER   XIV 
NATIONAL    LEGISLATION    (Continued) 

THE  LODGE-DANFORD  IMMIGRATION  BILL 

WITH  William  McKinley  as  President,  and  a  good  working 
majority  in  both  branches  of  Congress,  the  opening  of 
the  Fifty-fifth  Congress  brought  renewed  enthusiasm  to  the  mem- 
bers of  the  National  Legislative  Committee,  who  at  once,  as  referred 
to  in  last  chapter,  took  steps  towards  reaching  the  goal  by  secur- 
ing an  adequate  restrictive  immigration  law.  With  such  a  favor- 
able sentiment  in  both  the  House  and  Senate,  the  Committee 
hoped  to  secure  the  desired  legislation  as  framed  in  the  Lodge- 
Danford  Bill  before  the  expiration  of  the  extra  session  of  Congress 
that  convened  immediately  after  the  inauguration  of  President  Mc- 
Kinley, whose  approval  of  any  reasonable  bill  was  assured.  The 
greatest  obstacle,  however,  to  an  immediate  action  upon  the  Dan- 
ford  Bill  was  the  continued  hostile  attitude  of  Speaker  Reed,  whose 
refusal  to  allow  the  bill  to  come  up  for  consideration,  held  it  in 
check. 

Added  to  this  was  the  continued  opposition  of  the  steamship 
companies,  and  being  aware  of  President  McKinley's  attitude 
towards  the  Lodge-Danford  Bill,  brought  their  greatest  influence 
to  bear  upon  the  House. 

The  Legislative  Committee,  on  the  alert  for  "  breakers,"  re- 
quested the  Councils  to  again  petition  the  members  of  Congress, 
and  at  the  same  time  write  Speaker  Reed  personal  letters  urging 
immediate  recognition  of  the  bill  in  having  it  come  up  for 
action  at  the  earliest  period  possible.  The  request  of  the  Com- 
mittee was  responded  to  in  the  usual  enthusiastic  as  well  as 
prompt  manner,  and  thousands  of  letters  were  sent  Mr.  Eeed  and 
petitions  signed  by  nearly  100,000  poured  into  Congress.  But 
Speaker  Beed  remained  unmoved  and  the  special  session  of  Con- 
gress adjourned  without  even  the  appointment  of  a  Committee 
on  Immigration  and  Naturalization.  The  bill  introduced  at  this 
session  by  Senator  Lodge  in  the  Senate  and  Judge  Danford  in  the 
House,  known  as  the  "  Lodge-Danford  Bill,"  is  as  follows,  with  this 
difference  that  the  Danford  Bill  contained  several  sections  more  than 
the  Lodge  Bill,  but  the  two  first  and  main  sections  were  identical : 

223 


224  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 


"  Establishing   Additional    Regulations    Concerning   Immigration   into  the 

United   States. 

"  Be  it  enacted  by  the  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives  of  the 
United  States  of  America  in  Congress  assembled,  That  section  one  of 
the  act  of  March  third,  eighteen  hundred  and  ninety-one,  in  amendment 
of  the  Immigration  and  Contract  Labor  Acts,  be,  and  hereby  is,  amended 
by  adding  to  the  classes  of  Aliens  excluded  from  admission  into  the 
United  States  the  following: 

"  All  persons  physically  capable  and  over  sixteen  years  of  age  who 
cannot  read  and  write  the  English  language,  or  some  other  language;  but 
a  person  not  so  able  to  read  and  write  who  is  over  fifty  years  of  age  and 
is  the  parent  or  grandparent  of  a  qualified  immigrant  over  twenty-one 
years  of  age  and  capable  of  supporting  such  parent  or  grandparent  may 
accompany  such  immigrant,  or  such  a  parent  or  grandparent,  may  be 
sent  for  and  come  to  join  the  family  of  a  child  or  grandchild  over  twenty- 
one  years  of  age  similarly  qualified  and  capable,  and  a  wife  or  minor  child 
not  so  able  to  read  and  write  may  accompany  or  be  sent  for  and  come 
to  join  the  husband  or  parent  similarly  qualified  and  capable. 

"  Section  2.  For  the  purpose  of  testing  the  ability  of  the  immigrant 
to  read  and  write,  as  required  by  the  foregoing  section,  the  inspection 
officers  shall  be  furnished  with  copies  of  the  Constitution  of  the  United 
States,  printed  or  numbered  on  uniform  pasteboard  slips,  each  containing  not 
less  than  twenty  nor  more  than  twenty-five  words  of  said  Constitution, 
printed  in  the  various  languages  of  the  immigrants  in  double  small  pica 
type.  These  slips  shall  be  kept  in  boxes  made  for  that  purpose,  and  so  con- 
structed as  to  conceal  the  slips  from  view,  each  box  to  contain  slips  of  but 
one  language,  and  the  immigrant  may  designate  the  language  in  which  he 
prefers  the  test  shall  be  made.  Each  immigrant  shall  be  required  to  draw 
one  of  said  slips  from  the  box  and  read,  and  afterwards  write  in  full  view 
of  the  immigration  officers  the  words  printed  thereon.  Each  slip  shall  be 
returned  to  the  box  immediately  after  the  test  is  finished,  and  the  con- 
tents of  the  box  shall  be  shaken  up  by  an  inspection  officer  before  another 
drawing  is  made.  No  immigrant  failing  to  read  and  write  out  the  slip 
thus  drawn  by  him  shall  be  admitted,  but  he  shall  be  returned  to  the 
country  from  which  he  came,  at  the  expense  of  the  steamship  or  railroad 
company  which  brought  him,  as  now  provided  by  law.  The  inspection 
officers  shall  keep  in  each  box  at  all  times  a  full  number  of  said  printed 
pasteboard  slips,  and  in  the  case  of  each  excluded  immigrant  shall  keep 
a  certified  memorandum  of  the  number  of  the  slip  which  the  said  immi- 
grant failed  to  read  or  copy  out  in  writing.  If  in  any  case,  from  any 
unavoidable  cause,  the  foregoing  slips  are  not  at  hand  for  use,  the  inspec- 
tion officers  shall  carefully  and  thoroughly  test  the  ability  of  the  immi- 
grant to  read  and  write,  using  the  most  appropriate  and  available  means 
at  their  command;  and  shall  state  fully  in  writing  the  reasons  why  the 
slips  are  lacking,  and  describe  the  substitute  method  adopted  for  testing 
the  ability  of  the  immigrant." 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  223 

THE   WORK   OF  THE   NATIONAL    LEGISLATIVE   COMMITTEE 

1807-1898 

The  work  of  the  National  Legislative  Committee,  through  its 
Secretary,  Brother  Collins,  during  the  Fifty-fifth  Congress,  was  the 
most  strenuous  in  its  history,  and  the  opposition  to  the  proposed 
legislation  on  immigration,  especially  in  the  House,  was  most  power- 
ful and  determined.  With  a  President  whose  views  were  in  har- 
mony with  legislation  along  the  lines  suggested,  and  having  a 
Chairman  of  the  Committee  on  Immigration  in  both  Senate  and 
House,  Senator  Fairbanks  and  Judge -Danford,  who  were  entirely 
in  sympathy  with  restrictive  legislation,  the  foreign  element  in  the 
country,  backed  by  the  Eoman  Catholic  Church  and  various  foreign 
societies  within  the  United  States,  became  alarmed  at  the  great 
strength  of  the  American  sentiment  on  the  subject  of  immigra- 
tion, arrayed  themselves  in  solid  phalanx  against  any  change  in  the 
immigration  law,  and  they  had  a  faithful  ally  in  the  steamship 
lobby  backed  by  millions  of  capital. 

At  the  opening  of  Congress  in  December,  1897,  the  National 
Legislative  Committee,  made  up  of  the  following  brothers:  A.  D. 
Wilkin,  Stephen  Collins,  Roger  J.  Armstrong,  J.  G.  A.  Eichter  and 
M.  D.  Lichliter,  met  in  the  City  of  Washington  and  outlined  the 
plan  for  the  forthcoming  campaign.  The  Committee  spent  a  most 
delightful  evening  with  Senator  Fairbanks,  Chairman  of  the  Senate 
Committee  on  Immigration,  at  which  time  the  details  of  the  pro- 
posed legislation  were  discussed  and  considered  and  suggestions 
mutually  exchanged.  The  writer  has  a  clear  recollection  of  that 
meeting  held  in  Senator  Fairbanks'  own  home  and  the  very  cordial 
greeting  extended  the  Committee.  The  Senator  stated  that  he  was 
"  new  "  at  the  business  and  somewhat  "  green  "  on  the  subject,  as 
this  was  his  first  experience  as  Chairman  of  the  Committee  to  con- 
sider the  subject  of  immigration,  and  requested  the  Committee 
to  give  him  an  outline  of  the  purposes  of  the  Order  we  represented 
and  what  we  wanted,  and  how  he  should  proceed  in  the  matter. 
Brother  Collins,  who  was  then  the  best  posted  man  on  the  subject, 
gave  the  Senator  a  detailed  plan  and  the  scope  of  the  purpose  of  the 
bill  in  question,  to  which  the  distinguished  Senator  listened  with 
closest  attention. 

The  Senator  was  then  asked  for  an  expression  of  his  views 
on  the  immigration  problem,  when,  to  the  surprise  as  well  as  pleas- 
ure of  the  Committee,  he  drew  from  the  drawer  of  his  desk  a  care- 
fully prepared  address  which  he  read.  Tt  was  a  most  clear  exposi- 
'5 


226  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

tion  of  the  question  and  showed  that  in  the  interim  of  Congress 
he  had  taken  great  pains  to  gather  up  all  the  arguments  and  facts 
available,  so  as  to  present  to  the  Senate  a  strong  defense  of  the 
bill  he  had  championed. 

Senator  Fairbanks  lost  no  time  in  bringing  the  Lodge-Danford 
Bill  to  the  attention  of  his  Committee,  from  which  it  was  early 
reported  with  a  favorable  recommendation.  In  the  meantime,,  at 
his  request,  the  National  Legislative  Committee,  through  its  Secre- 
tary, sent  to  the  Councils  an  appeal  for  signatures  to  petitions 
for  the  passage  of  the  bill.  Within  ten  days  after  the  appeal  was 
mailed  bushel  basketsful  of  letters  and  petitions  came  pouring  in 
upon  Senator  Fairbanks  until  it  took  several  clerks  to  assort  and 
distribute  same.  On  January  17,  1898,  the  measure  came  up  for 
consideration,  and  passed  by  a  vote  of  45  to  28. 

As  an  evidence  of  the  appreciation  for  the  most  excellent  work 
accomplished  by  the  Legislative  Committee  and  the  Jr.  0.  II.  A.  M., 
Senator  Fairbanks  addressed  the  following  letter  to  the  Secretary 
of  the  Committee: 

"  Washington,  D.  C,  May  14,  1898. 

"Stephen    Collins,    Esq.,    Secretary    National    Legislative    Committee,    Jr. 
0.  U.  A.  M. 

"  Dear  Sir  — 
"  I  have  observed  with  interest  and  appreciation  the  work  which 
the  Jr.  Order  United  American  Mechanics  has  rendered  in  connection  with 
the  effort  to  restrict  immigration  to  the  United  States.  This  effort  has 
been  to  prohibit  the  admission  of  those  elements  which  do  not  become 
acceptable  and  valuable  citizens,  and  not  to  interrupt  the  coming  of  those 
of  intelligence  and  good  character. 

"  Permit  me  to  say  that  the  public  work  of  your  organization  in 
connection  with  the  passage  through  the  Senate  of  the  recent  bill  for  the 
restriction  of  illiterate  immigration  has  been  well  directed  and  of  the 
utmost  importance. 

"  Very   respectfully, 

"  C.   W.    Fairbanks." 

Equally  complimentary  was  the  letter  of  Judge  Danford, 
Chairman  of  the  House  Committee  on  Immigration,  an  extract 
of  which  is  here  given : 

"I  desire  to  say  to  the  Jr.  0.  U.  A.  M.,  through  you  (Stephen  Col- 
lins) that  while  the  Immigration  Bill  has  not  yet  become  a  law,  their 
grand  work  has  not  been  in  vain.  An  organization  that  can  with  short 
notice  secure  and  send  to  their  representatives  in  Congress  petitions 
signed  by  nearly  100,000  American  citizens  from  39  States  of  the  Union 
urging  legislation  to  protect  Americans  and  American  institutions,  that 
organization   must  and    will  eventually  accomplish   its  purpose." 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  227 

The  fight,  however,  against  the  passage  of  the  bill  was  con- 
centrated in  the  House,  where  the  steamship  companies  and  all 
opponents  of  immigration  legislation  brought  their  heaviest  guns 
to  bear  upon  the  measure.  The  "  Immigration  Protective  League  " 
of  New  York  City,  with  Bourke  Cockran,  as  President,  exerted  a 
great  influence  against  the  bill,  especially  arraying  the  foreign 
newspapers  in  the  country  in  opposition  to  its  passage.  Secretary 
Senner,  of  the  above  league,  procured  the  active  cooperation  of  all 
the  Roman  Catholic  secret  societies  against  the  bill,  and  in  fact 
all  German  and  Polish  Catholics  as  well  as  non-German  Catholics. 
However,  the  petitions  and  number  of  signatures  sent  by  the 
Junior  Order  far  exceeded  those  sent  by  Roman  Catholic  Societies. 
Brother  Collins,  in  a  most  painstaking  manner,  gave  the  com- 
parison in  his  report  to  the  National  Council.  This  table  showed 
that  1,466  petitions  from  the  Order  came  from  39  states,  containing 
78,771  signatures.  While  from  21  states  there  came  from  the 
various  societies  opposed  to  immigration,  374  protests  containing 
22,819  names.  This  array  of  the  German  element  against  the 
passage  of  the  bill  alarmed  the  Congressmen  from  those  states 
where  the  German  vote  was  a  factor  in  the  election,  and  claiming 
to  be  in  sympathy  with  the  bill  reported  out  of  Judge  DanforcFs 
Committee,  yet  they  were  "  betwixt  the  devil  and  the  deep  sea," 
as  to  vote  for  it  meant  that  they  would  be  retired  to  private  life 
at  the  coming  election,  hence  they  begged  the  leaders  to  postpone 
consideration  of  the  measure  until  the  December  session,  which 
was  agreed  to,  and  it  was  laid  over,  being  on  the  Speaker's  desk 
and  could  be  called  up  at  any  time. 

Early  in  the  December  session  Judge  Danford  was  unsuccess- 
ful in  getting  his  bill  up  for  consideration;  however,  on  the  1  lib 
of  same  month  another  effort  was  made,  but  the  bill  failed  by  just 
two  votes,  the  vote  being  ayes  101,  nays  103.  The  excitement  and 
vast  amount  of  legislation  incident  to  Ihe  Spanish-American  War 
had  much  to  do  with  the  defeat  of  the  measure,  as  it  precluded 
legislation  along  other  lines.  The  Committee  did  all  in  their 
power,  but  the  weight  of  sentiment  seemed  against  them  and  all 
proposed  legislation  along  the  line  of  restricted  immigration. 
Other  important  work,  however,  was  accomplished  by  the  Com- 
mittee which  will  be  referred  to  under  another  head,  such  as  advo- 
cating the  passage  of  a  satisfactory  Flag  Bill  and  defeating  nil 
appropriations  of  public  money  for  sectarian  schools. 


228  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

THE    OBSTACLES    THAT    CONFRONTED    THE     NATIONAL     LEGISLATIVE 

COMMITTEE 

Never  in  the  history  of  any  organization,  seeking  remedial 
legislation,  did  any  committee  representing  same  have  such  power- 
ful obstacles  to  surmount  and  such  influences  and  odds  to  fight 
against   as    the    National    Legislative    Committee    of    the    Junior 
0.  U.  A.  M.     Lone-handed,   without   money,    for   eight   years   this 
Committee  fought  bravely  and  well  the  combined  forces  of  the 
steamship  companies  with  their  millions  of  invested  capital,  as  well 
as  the  Eoman  Catholic  and  other  alien  influences  that  were  brought 
against  every  restrictive  immigration  measure  that  was  proposed. 
In  addition  to  this,  very  frequently  the  Chairman  of  the  respective 
Senate  and  House  Committees  on  Immigration  were  antagonistic 
to  the  restriction  of  immigration,  and  their  hostility  barred  the 
consideration  or  reporting  of  any  bill  presented  on  the  subject. 
And  the  most  formidable  obstacle  thrown  in  the  way  of  such  legis- 
lation, far  more  powerful  than  all  others,  was  the  intense  hostile 
attitude  of  the  various  Speakers  of  the  House  of  Representatives 
towards  any  legislation  along  the  line  for  further  restricting  im- 
migration.    Thomas  B.  Eeed  and  David  B.  Henderson,  both,  went 
out  of  their  way,  even  so  far  as  to  dethrone  parliamentary  courtesy 
in  not  recognizing  the  Chairman  of  the  Committee  on  Immigra- 
tion, though  he  would  rise  daily  and  address  the  Chair.     Judge 
Danford  personally  begged  recognition,  and  the  Committee  of  the 
National  Council  plead  with  the  autocrat  Reed  that  the  Committee 
on  Rules  be  permitted  to  name  a  day  for  the  consideration  of  their 
bill,  but  again  and  again  to  be  peremptorily  refused.     And  when 
at  last  recognition  was  accorded  the  Chairman  or  the  gentleman 
in  charge  of  the  Order's  bill,  the  Speaker  found  occasion  to  resign 
his  Chair,  and  pass  around  among  the  members  of  the  House,  either 
ordering  men  not  to  vote  for  the  bill  or  speaking  very  sarcastically 
of  the  proposed  measure,  thus  defeating  the  purposes  of  the  friends 
of  restricted  immigration.     And,  as  will  be  referred  to  in  detail, 
the  Committee  of  1905-7  had  the  same  difficulty  to  contend  with 
in  the  hostile  attitude  of  Mr.  Cannon,  present  Speaker  (1907)  .of 
the  House  of  Representatives. 

The  writer,  being  a  member  of  the  National  Legislative  Com- 
mittee, and  part  of  the  time  its  Chairman,  was  fully  conversant 
with  the  powerful  influences  that  were  brought  to  bear  against 
any  proposed  legislation  for  restrictive  immigration.  The  criti- 
cisms that  were  hurled  at  the  Secretary  of  the  Committee,  Brother 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  229 

Collins,  that  he  was  not  ''earning  his  sail"  and  was  "  living  off 
the  Order/'  etc.,  were  unjust,  unbrotherly  and  un-American,  for 
no  man  in  the  Order  did  more  to  educate  the  brotherhood  and  the 
people  at  large  on  the  subject  of  Immigration  than  Brother  Collins. 
The  years  he  was  Secretary  of  the  Committee  and  Correspondence 
and  Press  Committee,  was  a  veritable  "  school "  wherein  the  Order, 
members  of  Congress  and  leaders  of  the  two  great  political  parties 
were  educated  along  the  lines  of  proposed  restrictive  immigration 
legislation.  Although  not  as  much  legislation  was  accomplished  as 
was  anticipated,  still,  like  "bread  cast  upon  the  waters/5  the  labors 
of  those  long,  hard  years,  so  full  of  discouragement,  reappeared  in 
the  legislation  of  1903,  well  supported  by  the  then  National  Legis- 
lative Committee. 

ERA    OF    INACTIVITY    ON    SUBJECT    OF    IMMIGRATION 

The  period  embraced  within  the  years  of  1899-1901,  in  a  meas- 
ure, are  lost  years,  on  the  subject  of  immigration,  so  far  as  the 
Jr.  0.  U.  A.  M.  is  concerned.  The  National  Council  as  usual 
appointed  its  Legislative  Committee  and  some  effective  work  was 
accomplished  by  them  along  other  lines,  but  the  immigration  prob- 
lem remained  unsolved.  Two  causes  will  account  for  this  inactiv- 
ity :  First,  the  issues  that  were  the  outgrowth  of  the  Spanish  War, 
bringing  to  pmblic  attention  great  questions  incident  thereto.  The 
Philippine  and  Cuban  and  other  great  issues  swallowed  up  all  old 
issues,  such  as  the  immigration  question,  etc.,  their  importance 
seemingly  being  paramount  to  all  others.  Hence  in  the  Fifty-sixth 
Congress,  while  efforts  to  revive  the  Lodge  Bill  or  the  introduction 
of  a  similar  bill  was  made  by  the  National  Legislative  Committee, 
the  attention  of  the  statesmen  was  too  much  occupied  with  what 
they  thought  were  weightier  matters,  therefore  held  aloof  from  the 
living  issue  that  entered  into  the  very  woof  and  web  of  our  body 
politic. 

Another  and  more  direct  cause  of  this  era  of  inactivity  on  the 
part  of  the  Order  and  its  recognized  Committee  on  legislation,  was 
its  own  civil  strife,  wherein  the  guns  were  turned  upon  ourselves 
in  those  years  of  internecine  hostility.  While  we  were  fighting 
among  ourselves  and  the  loyalists  were  contending  for  the  very  life 
of  the  Order  in  the  Courts  of  the  land,  ships  by  the  hundreds  loaded 
to  the  gunwales,  landed  Europe's  dynamos  upon  our  shores  by  the 
hundreds  of  thousands,  to  become  a  danger  and  menace  to  the 
Republic. 

In  the  very  brief  report  of  the  National   Legislative  Commit- 


230  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

tee  to  the  JMational  Council  of  1900,  the  statement  was  made  thai 
through  their  efforts  all  proposed  appropriations  for  sectarian  pur- 
poses were  defeated,  and  to  the  Order  belonged  the  credit  for  this 
great  victory.     The  report  concludes  as  follows : 

"  This  victory  of  principle  is  of  itself  of  very  great  good  to  our 
organization.  We  have  established  a  standing  in  the  National  Congress 
which  will  before  long  result  in  the  passage  of  the  immigration  bills  we 
desire,  and  we  believe  this  will  not  be  long  delayed." 

THE  SHATTUC-PENROSE  IMMIGRATION  BILL 

The  National  Legislative  Committee,  consisting  of  Brothers 
Ed.  V.  Fitzpatrick,  P.  A.  Shanor  and  L.  L.  Hill,  without  means  to 
keep  a  representative  at  Washington,  were  energetic  in  pressing 
an  immigration  bill  in  1902  and  having  two  bills  presented,  one 
in  the  Senate  by  Senator  Penrose,  who  was  Chairman  of  the  Senate 
Committee  on  Immigration,  and  one  introduced  in  the  House  by 
Eepresentative  Shattuc,  who  was  Chairman  of  the  House  Commit- 
tee on  Immigration.  Both  bills  were  either  amendatory  of  that  in 
force  or  additional  thereto.  The  House  bill  passed  that  body 
May  27,  1902,  and  finally  passed  the  Senate  February  27,  1903, 
and  became  a  law  March  3,  1903.  The  Legislative  Committee  tried 
hard  to  have  inserted  in  the  bill  an  educational  test  clause,  and  the 
amendment  did  carry  in  the  House  by  88  to  9  when  it  passed  that 
body,  notwithstanding  it  was  opposed  by  Mr.  Shattuc,  and  in  that 
amended  form  it  was  messaged  to  the  Senate.  Eepresentative  Shat- 
tuc appeared  before  the  Senate  Committee  and  most  strenuously 
opposed  the  amendment  and  asked  the  Senate  to  eliminate  it  or  it 
might  defeat  the  bill  on  final  passage.  The  amendment  was  not 
considered  feasible  and  was  eliminated  and,  with  few  minor  changes, 
the  Senate  passed  the  House  bill  as  it  was  originally  introduced. 

Immigration  critics  claimed  that  it  was  a  good  bill,  one  going 
so  far  as  to  say  that  it  was  "  up  to  the  present  time  the  most  far- 
reaching  measure  of  its  kind  in  force  in  any  country;  and  the 
principles  underlying  it  must  serve  as  the  foundation  for  all 
immigration  restriction." 

While  the  new  law  was  somewhat  better  than  any  that  had  been 
enacted  previously,  still  it  was  not  what  the  Junior  Order  wanted, 
mainly  because  of  the  elimination  of  the  educational  test.  The 
enactment,  in  the  opinion  of  good  judges,  was  more  of  a  police 
regulation  of  immigration  than  a  restriction  of  immigration,  hence 
not  up  to  standard.     The  main  provisions  of  the  act  were: 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  231 

First.  Head  tax  of  $2.  Second.  Adding  to  that  of  former  act  addi- 
tional excluded  classes,  viz.:  (1))  Idiots;  (2)  insane  persons;  (3)  epi- 
leptics; (4)  prostitutes;  (5)  paupers;  (G)  persons  likely  to  become 
public  charges;  (7)  professional  beggars;  (8)  persons  anlicted  with 
loathsome  or  contagious  diseases;  (9)  persons  who  have  been  convicted 
of  felony  or  other  crime  or  misdemeanor  involving  oral  turpitude,  not 
including  those  convicted  of  purely  political  oiFenses;  (10)  polygamists; 
(11)  anarchists;  (12)  those  deported  within  a  year  from  date  of  appli- 
cation for  admission  as  being  under  offers,  solicitations,  promises,  or 
agreements  to  perforin  labor  or  service  of  some  kind  therein;  (13)  any 
person  whose  tickets  or  passage  is  paid  for  with  the  money  of  another, 
or  who  is  assisted  to  come,  unless  it  is  shown  that  such  person  does  not 
belong  to  one  of  the  excluded  classes ;  but  any  person  in  the  United  States 
may  send  for  a  relative  or  friend  without  putting  the  burden  of  proof 
upon  the  immigrant. 

Third.  Criminal  offenses  against  Immigration  Acts,  viz:  (1)  Im- 
porting any  person  for  immoral  purposes;  (2)  prepaying  the  transporta- 
tion or  encouraging  the  migration  of  aliens  under  any  offer,  solicitation, 
promise  or  agreement,  parol,  or  special,  expressed  or  implied,  made  pre- 
vious to  the  importation  of  aliens,  to  perform  labor  in  the  United  States; 
(3)  encouraging  the  migration  of  aliens  by  promises  of  employment 
through  advertisements  in  foreign  countries;  (4)  encouraging  immigra- 
tion on  the  part  of  owners  of  vessels  and  transportation  companies  by 
any  means  other  than  communications  giving  the  sailing  of  vessels  and 
terms  of  transportation;  (5)  bringing  in  or  attempting  to  bring  in  any 
alien  not  duly  admitted  by  an  immigrant  inspector  or  not  lawfully  entitled 
to  enter  the  United  States;  (6)  bringing  in  by  any  person  other  than 
railroad  lines  of  any  person  afflicted  with  a  loathsome  or  dangerous  con- 
tagious disease;  (7)  allowing  an  alien  to  land  from  a  vessel  at  any  other 
time  and  place  than  that  designated  by  the  immigrant  officer;  (8)  refus- 
ing or  neglecting  to  return  rejected  aliens  to  the  port  from  which  they 
came  or  to  pay  their  maintenance  while  on  land;  (9)  refusing  or  neglecting 
to  return  aliens  arrested  within  three  years  after  entry  as. being  unlaw- 
ful throughout  the  United  States;  (10)  knowingly  or  wilfully  giving  false 
testimony  or  swearing  to  any  false  statement  affecting  the  right  of  an 
alien  to  land  is  made  perjury;  (11)  assisting  any  anarchist  to  enter  the 
United  States  or  conspiring  to  allow,  procure  or  permit  any  such  person 
to  enter;    (12)    failing  to  deliver  manifests. 

Fourth.  Rejection  of  the  diseased  aliens.  Fifth.  Manifests  required 
of  vessel-masters,  with  answers  to  19  questions.  Sixth.  Examination  of 
immigrants.  Seventh.  Detention  and  return  of  aliens.  Eighth.  Bonds 
and  guaranties. 

From  a  cursory  view  of  the  above  act,  it  would  have  been  a 
pretty  fair  piece  of  legislation  had  Congress  allowed  the  educa- 
tional test  to  remain.  This  feature  of  an  immigration  bill  had 
been  all  along  the  urgent  plea  of  the  Junior  Order,  having  been 
framed  into  the  bill  that  passed  the  House  of  Bepresentatiw's, 
May  20,  1896,  by  a  vote  of  195  to  26;  the  Senate,  December  17, 
1896,  by  a  vote  of  52  to  10.     The  conference  report  on  same  bill 


232  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

passed  the  House  February  9,  1897,  by  a  vote  of  217  to  37;  the 
Senate,  February  17,  1897,  by  a  vote  of  34  to  31.  This  was  the  bill 
vetoed  by  President  Cleveland  two  days  before  retiring  from  the 
Presidential  Chair,  but  the  House  passed  the  bill  over  the  veto 
March  3,  1897,  by  a  vote  of  193  to  37.  In  the  Fifty-fifth  Congress 
an  educational  test  bill  was  passed  by  the  Senate  January  17,  1898, 
by  a  vote  of  45  to  28.     The  House  refused  to  take  action. 

HOUSE   BILL,   NO.    17,941,   AND  SENATE   BILL,    NO.    4,403, 

1906-1907 

The  question  of  Kestrictive  Immigration  came  before  the 
National  Council  at  Nashville,  in  1905,  by  a  suggestive  report  of 
the  National  Legislative  Committee,  consisting  of  S.  M.  Hunt, 
John  J.  Weitzel  and  Geo.  E.  Bowley,  as  well  as  an  item  in  the  pro- 
posal for  a  statute  submitted  by  the  Finance  Committee,  appro- 
priating for  the  next  two  years,  the  sum  of  $5,000  for  the  purpose 
of  inaugurating  another  campaign  for  remedial  legislation  on  the 
line  of  Naturalization  and  Immigration.  Strong  resolutions  were 
adopted,  enthusiastic  speeches  made,  and  the  representatives  re- 
turned to  their  homes  with  the  belief  that  ere  the  National  Council 
would  assemble  at  Boston,  in  1907,  there  would  be  upon  the  statute 
books  of  the  nation  a  good  act  on  the  subject. 

A  representative  National  Legislative  Committee  was  ap- 
pointed, consisting  of  Brothers  Z.  P.  Smith,  of  North  Carolina, 
A.  D.  Wilkin,  of  Pennsylvania,  and  Jesse  Taylor,  of  Ohio.  The 
Committee  organized  at  once  by  electing  Z.  P.  Smith,  Chairman, 
and  Jesse  Taylor,  Secretary.  They  immediately  began  laying  plans 
for  an  aggressive  campaign,  not  only  enlisting  the  Junior  Order 
in  the  work,  but  all  organizations  that  would  be  benefited  by  the 
passage  of  a  proper  restrictive  act.  When  Congress  opened  in 
December,  1905,  the  Committee  established  headquarters  at  the 
Cochran  Hotel  and  the  Secretary  assumed  charge. 

House  Bill,  No.  15,442,  requiring  Uniform  Naturalization, 
was  acted  upon  quickly  and  became  a  law,  which  has  been  referred 
to  in  another  chapter.  This  enactment  brought  about  through  the 
energy  of  the  Committee,  even  if  nothing  else  had  been  accom- 
plished, was  a  signal  victory  for  the  Order. 

A  large  number  of  Immigration  Bills  were  presented  at  the 
opening  of  Congress  in  the  House  and  were  referred  to  the  appro- 
priate committee.  These  were  carefully  considered  in  Committee 
on  Naturalization  and  Immigration,  and  on  April  9,  1906,  Mr. 
Gardner,  of  Massachusetts,  in  behalf  of  the  Committee,  reported, 


UNITED  AMERICAN   MECHANICS  233 

in  lieu  of  all  the  bills  that  had  been  presented,  a  comprehensive 
measure  known  as  House  Bill,  No.  17,981,  "An  Act  in  Regulate 
the  Immigration  of  Aliens  into  the  United  States." 

This  bill  as  presented  repealed  the  immigration  hill  enacted 
in  1903,  for  the  purpose  of  presenting  all  immigration  enactments 
since  1902,  in  a  convenient  form.  Ten  sections  of  the  former 
act  were  reinserted  in  this  bill  without  any  change  whatever.  Two 
sections  were  omitted,  as  they  did  not  relate  to  the  subject  of  immi- 
gration. Twenty-eight  sections  of  the  old  act  were  changed  in  a 
greater  or  less  degree,  while  seven  sections  were  entirely  new. 

The  salient  features  of  the  original  bill  were  as  follows :  ( 1 ) 
A  five-dollar  head  tax;  (2)  an  educational  test;  (3)  a  financial 
qualification;  (4)  an  extension  of  the  exclusive  classes;  (5)  pro- 
visions permitting  foreign  inspection  and  facilitating  distribution. 

The  first  section  provided  an  important  change  from  the  act 
of  1903  by  incorporating  the  requirement  of  a  five-dollar  head  tax 
in  the  place  of  a  two-dollar  head  tax. 

Section  2,  added  to  the  excluded  classes  the  following:  Imbe- 
ciles, feeble-minded,  consumptives,  those  who  at  any  time  were 
insane,  and,  under  certain  circumstances,  persons  of  poor  physique. 

Section  3,  strengthened  the  provision  regarding  prostitutes. 

The  most  important  section,  however,  that  was  incorporated 
in  the  original  bill,  and  one  the  Junior  Order  has  been  contending 
for  and  was  recommended  by  President  Eoosevelt  in  his  message, 
was  Section  38,  known  as  the  "  Educational  Test,"  which,  in  part, 
was  as  follows: 

"  That  no  alien  over  sixteen  years  of  age,  physically  capable  of 
reading,  shall  be  admitted  to  the  United  States  until  he  has  proved  to 
the  satisfaction  of  the  proper  inspection  officers  that  he  can  read  English 
or  some  other  tongue,  and  the  Secretary  of  Commerce  and  Labor  is 
hereby  authorized  and  directed  to  prescribe  from  time  to  time  such 
methods  and  rules  as  he  may  think  best  for  the  purpose  of  testing  the 
ability  of  such  immigrants  to  read:  Provided,  that  an  admissible  alien 
over  sixteen  years  of  age,  or  person  now  or  hereafter  in  the  United  States 
of  like  age,  may  bring  in  or  send  for  his  wife,  his  mother,  his  affianced 
wife,  or  his  father  who  is  over  fifty- five  years  of  age,  if  they  are  otherwise 
admissible,  whether  they  are  able  to  read  or  not." 

Section  39  provided  for  the  exclusion  of  an  adult  alien  who 
had  not  $25  in  his  possession,  every  female  alien  and  every  male 
alien  under  the  age  of  16  years  who  was  not  in  possession  of  $15 : 
but  it  provided  that  if  the  head  of  the  family  had  $50,  this  should 
be  considered  a  sufficient  sum  to  provide  for  the  whole  family, 
except  grown-up  sons. 


234  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

The  demand  for  an  educational  test  has  had  a  strong  advocate 
in  President  Eoosevelt,  who,  in  his  message  on  December  3,  1901, 
said: 

"  The  second  object  of  all  proper  immigration  laws  ought  to  be  to 
secure  by  a  careful  and  not  merely  perfunctory  educational  test  some 
intelligent  capacity  to  appreciate  American  institutions  and  act  sanely 
as  American  citizens." 

In  his  message  on  December  2,  1902,  the  President  said : 

"  I  again  call  your  attention  to  the  need  of  the  passage  of  a  proper 
immigration  law  covering  the  points  outlined  in  my  message  to  you  at 
the  first  session  of  the  present  Congress;  substantially  such  a  bill  has 
passed  the  House." 

Senate  Bill,  No.  4,403,  which  passed  the  Senate  May  23,  1906, 
and  was  sent  to  a  Committee  of  Conferees,  in  addition  to  the  part 
of  Section  38  of  House  Bill,  quoted  above,  added  the  manner  and 
method  by  which  the  test  shall  be  carried  out,  as  follows: 

"  That  for  the  purpose  of  testing  the  ability  of  immigrants  to  read, 
the  inspection  officers  shall  be  furnished  with  copies  of  the  Constitution 
of  the  United  States,  printed  on  uniform  pasteboard  slips,  each  containing 
not  less  than  twenty-five  words  of  said  Constitution,  printed  in  the 
various  languages  of  the  immigrants  in  double  small  pica  type.  Each 
immigrant  may  designate  the  language  in  which  he  prefers  the  test  shall 
be  made,  and  shall  be  required  to  read  the  words  printed  on  a  slip  in  such 
language.  No  two  immigrants  listed  on  the  same  manifest  shall  be  tested 
with  the  same  slip.  An  immigrant  failing  to  read  as  above  provided 
shall  not  be  admitted,  but  shall  be  returned  to  the  country  from  which 
he  came  at  the  expense  of  the  steamship  or  railroad  company  which 
brought  him:  Provided,  that  all  persons,  whether  able  to  read  the  English 
language  or  some  other  language  or  not  able  to  do  so,  who  shall  enter 
the  United  States  except  at  the  seaports  thereof,  or  at  such  other  place 
or  places  as  the  Secretary  of  Commerce  and  Labor  may  from  time  to 
time  designate,  shall  be  adjudged  to  have  entered  the  country  unlawfully 
and  shall  be  deported  as  by  law  provided." 

It  might  be  added,  that  the  Senate,  without  a  dissenting  vote, 
passed  the  bill,  with  the  Educational  Test  and  all,  notwithstanding 
Senators  Nelson  and  Gallinger  are  of  foreign  birth. 

With  a  good  bill  already  passed  the  Senate  and  with  a  fair 
majority  in  the  House  to  enact  it  into  a  law,  yet  the  measure  was 
strongly  opposed  by  Speaker  Cannon  who  was  determined  that  it 
should  not  become  a  law,  especially  in  the  form  it  came  from  the 
Senate.  He  openly  and  secretly  opposed  remedial  legislation  along 
the  line  of  immigration  and  refused  to  allow  a  fair  test  to  be  made 
in  the  House  on  the  question,  or  give  it  any  chance  whatever  for 
consideration.     Representative  Gardner,  of  Massachusetts,  however* 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  235 

championed  the  bill  and  insisted  that  i(  be  given  a  day  for  consider- 
ation and  a  vote,  and  failing  in  this  the  friends  of  the  bill  circulated 
a  call  for  a  Eepubliean  caucus  to  determine  vrhethei  the  measure 
should  or  should  not  be  taken  up.  The  Speaker  fearing  the  power 
of  the  caucus  agreed  to  take  the  bill  up  under  a  rule,  and  on  June 
25,  1906,  the  House  adopted  the  following: 

"Resolved,  That  immediately  upon  the  adoption  of  this  order  the 
House  shall  resolve  itself  into  a  Committee  of  the  Whole  House  on  the 
State  of  the  Union  for  consideration  of  the  bill  (IS.  4403),  '  To  amend  an 
Act  entitled  "  An  Act  to  regulate  the  immigration  of  aliens  into  the 
United  States,"  approved  March  3,  1903,'  and  in  the  Committee  of  the 
Whole  the  amendment  in  the  nature  of  a  substitute  reported  by  the  Com- 
mittee on  Immigration  and  Naturalization  shall  be  read  through,  after 
which  Section  1  of  the  said  amendment  shall  be  considered  for  not  longer 
than  one  hour,  under  the  five-minute  rule  for  amendments;  and  at  the 
end  of  the  consideration  of  Section  1,  Section  38  shall  in  the  same  way 
be  considered  for  not  longer  than  two  hours,  with  the  provision  that 
amendments  pending  at  the  end  of  two  hours  shall  be  voted  on  by  the 
Committee;  and  immediately  after  the  vote  on  the  said  specified  amend- 
ments to  Section  38,  the  Committee  of  the  Whole  shall  rise  and  the  Chair- 
man shall  report  the  bill  and  substitute  amendment,  whereupon  a  vote 
shall  be  taken  on  the  substitute  and  bill  to  the  final  passage,  without 
intervening  motion  or  repeal.  General  leave  is  given  to  print,  to  be 
confined  to  a  discussion  of  the  bill,  within  five  legislative  days  from 
to-day." 

As  is  easily  perceived,  the  rule  was  adopted  to  kill  the  bill. 
It  enabled  members  to  vote  against  the  educational  test  and  for  a 
reduction  of  the  head  tax  without  a  roll-call,  thereby  not  being 
placed  upon  record  so  that  their  constituents  might  not  know  how 
they  voted  on  the  measure. 

Under  this  rule  no  amendment  could  be  offered  to  either  of 
the  43  sections  of  the  bill  except  Section  1,  which  provided  for  a 
five-dollar  head  tax,  and  Section  38,  which  provided  for  the  edu- 
cational test.  But  one  hour  was  given  to  debate  on  Section  1,  at 
the  end  of  which  time  a  motion  was  made  to  reduce  the  head  tax 
to  two  dollars  passed  by  a  vote  of  94  to  79.  Debate  on  Section  38 
was  limited  to  two  hours,  at  the  close  of  which  Congressman 
Grosvenor  moved  to  strike  out  the  educational  test  and  substitute 
for  the  Section  the  following : 

"  That  a  commission  is  hereby  created  consisting  of  two  Senators 
to  be  appointed  by  the  President  of  the  Senate  and  three  members  of  the 
House  of  Representatives  to  be  appointed  by  the  Speaker  of  the  House  of 
Representatives  and  two  citizen  members  to  be  appointed  by  the  President 
of  the  United  States.  Said  commission  shall  make  full  inquiry,  examina- 
tion and  investigation  into  the  subject  of  immigration. 


236  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

"  For  the  purpose  of  said  inquiry,  examination  and  investigation, 
said  committee  is  authorized  to  send  for  persons  and  papers,  make  all 
necessary  travel  and.  through  the  chairman  of  the  Commission  or  any 
member  thereof,  to  administer  oaths  and  to  examine  witnesses  and  papers 
respecting  all  matters  pertaining  to  the  subject  and  to  employ  necessary 
clerical  and  other  assistance.  Said  Commission  shall  report  to  Congress 
the  conclusions  reached  by  it  and  make  such  recommendations  as  in 
its  judgment  may  seem  proper. 

"  Such  sums  of  money  as  may  be  necessary  for  the  said  inquiry, 
examination  and  investigation  are  hereby  authorized  to  be  paid  out  of 
the  'Immigration  Fund'  on  the  certificate  of  the  chairman  of  said  Com- 
mission, including  the  expenses  of  Commissioners  and  a  reasonable  com- 
pensation to  be  fixed  by  the  President  of  the  United  States  for  those 
members  of  the  Commission  who  are  not  members  of  Congress." 

The  motion  to  strike  out  the  Section  and  adopt  the  substitute, 
was  declared  lost  by  the  Chairman  of  the  Committee  of  the  Whole, 
on  a  viva  voce  vote,  whereupon  Mr.  Bennett,  of  New  York,  de- 
manded a  count  vote  by  standing  until  counted,  and  the  result  was, 
yeas  123,  nays  136.     Mr.  Bennett  then  demanded  tellers. 

The  Speaker  was  outspokenly  opposed  to  the  section  of  the 
measure  containing  the  Educational  Test  and  was  the  first  to  pass 
through  the  tellers.  Being  in  favor  of  the  Grosvenor  substitute 
he  exerted  his  influence  for  its  adoption,  and  very  largely  through 
his  personal  efforts  on  the  floor  of  the  House  the  substitute  was 
adopted  by  a  vote  of  129  to  116,  thus  eliminating  the  Educational 
Test  from  the  bill  and  reducing  the  head-tax  to  $2,  the  same  as 
in  the  old  act. 

Immediately  following  this  action  of  the  House,  the  Speaker 
appointed  Howell,  Bennett  and  Huppert  as  conferees  on  the  part 
of  the  House,  and  when  the  bill,  as  amended,  was  reported  to  the 
Senate  on  the  following  day,  Senators  Dillingham,  Lodge  and 
McLauren  were  appointed  conferees  on  the  part  of  the  Senate, 
and  the  conferees  met  and  adjourned  to  meet  at  the  beginning 
of  the  second  session  of  the  Fifty-ninth  Congress,  which  assembled 
on  December  3,  1906. 

It  should  be  stated,  in  this  connection,  that  the  House  adopted 
the  Litauer  amendment,  which  reads  as  follows: 

"Provided,  further,  that  an  immigrant  who  proves  that  he  is  seek- 
ing admission  to  this  country  solely  to  avoid  prosecution  or  punishment 
on  religious  or  political  grounds  for  an  offense  of  a  political  character, 
or  persecution  involving  danger  of  imprisonment,  or  danger  to  life  or 
limb  on  account  of  religious  belief,  shall  not  be  deported  because  of  want 
of  means  or  tne  probability  of  his  being  unable  to  earn  a  livelihood." 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  237 

When  the  second  session  of  the  Fifty-ninth  Congress  assembled 
on  December  3,  1906,  the  subject  was  not  taken  up  by  the  conferees 
until  January  10,  1907,  and  again  on  the  21st,  23d,  and  28th.  On 
the  latter  date  it  was  ascertained  that  two  of  the  House  conferees 
would  neither  agree  to  Senate  Bill  No.  4,403,  which  included  the 
Educational  Test,  nor  would  they  sign  a  disagreeing  report,  there- 
by preventing  all  legislation  on  Immigration  at  this  session  of 
Congress,  hence  killing  the  bill  entirely. 

A  conference  was  then  held  with  the  President  by  some  of  the 
friends  of  the  bill,  who  was  urged  to  use  his  persuasion  with 
Speaker  Cannon  to  withdraw  his  objection  to  the  Educational  Test. 
The  President  found  the  Speaker  immovable  in  his  opposition  and 
two  of  his  conferees  were  ready  to  carry  out  the  wishes  of  the 
Speaker.  However,  on  February  1,  an  agreement  was  reached  that 
the  Senate  conferees  should  recede  from  the  Educational  Test 
and  the  House  would  recede  from  the  Litauer  amendment  and 
strengthen  the  bill  by  some  minor  changes  and  agree  to  report 
same.  Four  sessions  were  held  by  the  conferees  to  complete  their 
report,  when,  on  suggestion  of  the  President,  an  amendment  was 
made  to  Section  1  relative  to  keeping  out  of  the  country  Coolie 
labor,  which  prevented  the  conferees  from  reporting  until  the  13th 
of  February.  When  the  subject  was  taken  up  in  the  Senate 
whether  to  accept  the  conferee's  report,  objection  was  encountered 
from  some  of  the  Senators  relative  to  an  amendment  of  Section  2, 
concerning  contract  labor.  Senator  Bacon  occupied  several  hours 
in  discussing  this  phase  of  the  report,  who  was  followed  by  others, 
until  it  looked  as  if  the  opposition  would  "  talk  the  bill  to  death." 
Not  only  Avas  there  opposition  to  the  contract  labor  amendment, 
but  also  to  the  so-called  Japanese  amendment  of  the  President's 
to  Section  1,  which  called  forth  debate.  After  a  futile  effort  to 
amend  the  report,  the  same  went  to  vote  and  was  agreed  to,  Febru- 
ary 16,  1907.  On  Monday  morning,  February  18,  the  report  of  the 
conferees  was  taken  up  in  the  House,  and  after  some  dilatory 
motions  and  a  short  debate,  the  same  was  agreed  to  by  a.  vote  of 
193  in  favor  to  101  against. 

The  measure  as  it  was  finally  passed,  differs  somewhat  from 
the  original  bill  referred  to  in  another  place,  owing  to  the  amend- 
ments and  changes  made,  hence  it  is  well  to  give  the  important 
features  of  the  statute  as  it  now  stands  (1907)  : 

"  Increase  of  $2  in  the  head  tax,  making  it  $4,  instead  of  $5 ;  the 
prevention  of  the  further  importation  of  contract  labor  induced  or  solicited 
to  migrate   to  Ibis  country   by  offers  or   promises  of  .employment,  or   in 


238  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

consequence  of  agreements,  oral,  written,  or  printed,  expressed  or  implied, 
to  perform  labor  in  this  country  of  any  kind,  skilled  or  unskilled;  the 
exclusion  of  imbeciles,  feeble-minded  persons,  epileptics,  persons  who  are 
found  to  be  and  certified  by  the  examining  surgeon  as  being  mentally  or 
physically  defective,  such  mental  or  physical  defect  being  of  a  nature  which 
may  affect  the  ability  of  such  alien  to  earn  a  living  (which  latter  pro- 
vision will  exclude  25  per  cent,  of  all  immigrants  if  the  President  will 
place  Americans  on  guard  at  our  immigration  stations)  ;  all  children 
under  sixteen  years  of  age  unaccompanied  by  one  or  both  parents,  and 
women  for  prostitution  or  other  immoral  purposes ;  authorizes  the  Presi- 
dent to  exclude  all  persons  for  entrance  into  the  United  States  who  come 
from  any  insular  possessions  or  the  Canal  Zone  to  the  detriment  of  labor 
conditions ;  provides  for  increased  penalties  on  steamship  companies  for 
violation  of  immigration  laws ;  authorizes  an  annual  expenditure  of 
S50,000  for  the  enforcement  of  contract  labor  laws ;  authorizes  the  appoint- 
ment of  a  commission  of  three  Senators,  three  Representatives  and  throe 
citizens  to  investigate  the  subject  of  immigration  and  make  public  their 
findings  and  recommendations ;  authorizes  the  President  to  call  an  inter- 
national conference  or  send  commissioners  to  foreign  nations  to  con- 
sider the  subject  of  immigration  into  the  United  States  for  the  purpose 
of  regulating  it  by  an  international  agreement,  and  enlarges  the  air-space 
to  be  provided  for  the  immigrants  on  ship  board — in  some  cases  by  80  per 
cent. — and  strengthens  the  immigration  laws  in  every  particular." 


CHAPTER   XV 
NATIONAL    LEGISLATION    (Concluded) 

THE  work  of  the  National  Council,  through  its  Legislative 
Committee,  was  not  confined  in  the  endeavor  to  secure  reme- 
dial legislation  on  the  line  of  restricted  immigration.  Other  great 
issues  came  before  the  Committee  for  consideration  and  other  bills 
of  a  national  character  were  proposed  in  the  United  States  Congress 
in  which  the  Order  was  interested  and  to  which  proposed  legis- 
lation the  Committee  gave  its  support.  Much  of  the  legislation 
proposed  in  State  Legislatures  was  done  either  by  the  direction  of 
the  Committee  or  with  its  approval;  thus  from  the  National  Con- 
gress down  even  to  school  precincts  of  the  states  and  cities,  was 
felt  in  a  greater  or  less  degree  the  influence  of  the  National  Legis- 
lative Committee. 

This  and  the  subsequent  chapter  will  be  devoted  to  a  brief 
resume  of  the  most  important  measures  of  legislation  proposed, 
both  in  the  National  Congress  (not  including  immigration)  and 
State  Legislatures,  as  well  as  other  issues  intimately  associated 
with  the  work  of  the  Order,  or  through  its  regularly  constituted 
committees. 

MISCELLANEOUS  NATIONAL  LEGISLATION  ADVOCATED 

Before  the  creation  of  the  National  Legislative  Committee, 
the  American  Defense  Association,  referred  to  in  another  chapter, 
took  considerable  interest  in  National  legislation,  and  some  time 
along  about  1890-1892,  through  the  Secretary  of  the  Association, 
a  bill  was  introduced  in  the  United  States  Senate  by  Senator  Blair, 
proposing  National  Education  to  meet  the  wants  and  needs  of  the 
masses  of  unschooled  children.  At  that  time  it  was  estimated  that 
there  were  6,000,000  children  of  school  ago  in  the  United  States 
not  enrolled  in  the  schools  of  the  land,  and  for  whom  there  was  no 
accommodation  whatever  provided  in  existing  school  structures. 
To  accommodate  this  vast  army  of  illiterates  would  have  required 
120,000  schoolhouses  that  did  not  exist. 

The  purpose  of  the  bill  was  the  appropriation  of  money  to  the 
various  states  on  the  basis  of  illiteracy,  in  order  to  bring  the 
country  up  to  the  average  level  of  intelligence  so  that  there  should 
be  something  like  a  homogeneous  condition  of  education,  so  far 


240  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

as  the  common  branches  of  knowledge  were  concerned,  in  all  parts 
of  our  domain. 

The  bill  did  not  raise  any  question  of  the  right  and  power  of 
the  nation  to  educate  where  the  state  and  parent  alike  neglected 
the  child.  It  assumed  that  they  would  properly  and  sufficiently 
educate  the  child  who  was  to  be  a  citizen  and  a  sovereign  in  and  of 
both  the  nation  and  the  state,  subject  only  to  the  temporary  inabil- 
ity of  the  local  community  to  bear  the  burden  which  must  be  carried 
for  the  common  good.  The  principle,  however,  involved  and  prac- 
tically asserted  in  the  bill  was  that  whenever,  from  any  cause, 
whether  it  be  the  fault  or  misfortune  of  the  parent  or  the  state 
wherein  he  resided,  the  child  of  the  Republic  is  deprived  of  the 
opportunity  to  learn  to  read  and  write  the  language  of  his  country, 
that  country,  with  the  assent  of  the  state  and  through  the  agencies 
of  the  commonwealth,  should  give  temporary  aid  in  money  to 
secure  for  the  child  a  common  school  education,  upon  the  condi- 
tion that  the  state  expends  for  the  same  purpose  at  least  an  equal 
amount. 

The  bill,  however,  did  not  become  a  law. 

TO   ESTABLISH  A  NATIONAL   UNIVERSITY 

As  an  educational  measure,  the  National  Legislative  Com- 
mittee was  in  hearty  sympathy  with  the  purpose  and  plan  of  this 
proposed  institution,  the  bill  having  been  offered  in  the  House  of 
Representatives  by  Mr.  Hainer  in  1895.  The  bill  provided  that 
there  should  be  established  in  the  District  of  Columbia,  an  educa- 
tional institution  under  the  name  of  the  "  University  of  America," 
in  which  instruction  in  all  the  higher  branches  of  learning  should 
be  given  and  where  facilities  could  be  furnished  for  literary  and 
scientific  research  and  investigation.  The  bill  provided  that  the 
government  of  the  University  should  be  vested  in  a  Board  of 
Regents  consisting  of  twenty  members,  to  be  appointed  by  the 
President,  with  the  advice  and  consent  of  the  Senate,  of  which 
Board  the  President  of  the  United  States  was  honorary  president, 
ex  officio,  with  the  Vice-President,  the  Chief  Justice  of  the  United 
States  Supreme  Court,  the  Speaker  of  the  House  of  Representatives, 
the  Commissioner  of  Education  and  the  Secretary  of  the  Smithson- 
ian Institution  also  as  ex  officio  members. 

In  accordance  with  Section  8  of  the  bill,  "  no  chair  for  instruc- 
tion, sectarian  in  religion  or  partisan  in  politics,  shall  be  permitted 
in  any  form,  and  no  sectarian  or  partisan  test  shall  be  allowed  or 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  241 

required  in  the  appointment  of  professors  or  in  the  selection  of 
any  officer  of  the  University." 

The  bill  provided  that  each  state,  territory  and  congressional 
district  should  be  entitled  to  an  equal  proportionate  number  of 
students,  at  least  two  from  each  congressional  district,  who  were 
to  be  selected  by  competitive  examination.  The  physical  require- 
ments were  very  rigorous,  none  to  be  admitted  unless  physically 
sound,  of  robust  constitution,  good  moral  character  and  standing. 
Previous  to  the  admission  of  a  student,  the  provisions  of  the  bill 
required  a  very  binding  oath  of  allegiance  to  the  United  States  as 
follows : 

"I    ,  do  solemnly  swear  that  I  will  support  the 

Constitution  of  the  United  States  and  bear  true  allegiance  to  the  National 
Government;  that  I  will  maintain  and  defend  the  sovereignty  of  the 
United  States  paramount  to  any  and  all  allegiance,  sovereignty,  or  fealty 
I  may  owe  to  my  state,  county,  power,  or  country  whatsoever,  and  that 
T  will  at  all  times  obey  the  legal  orders  of  my  superior  officers  and  the 
rules  and  regulations  governing  the  University  of  America." 

The  site  for  the  proposed  University  was  in  "  University 
Square,"  part  of  the  land  Washington  in  his  will  had  devised  for 
an  American  University. 

The  bill  died  in  the  Fifty-fourth  Congress ;  but  at  the  request 
of  the  National  Legislative  Committee,  it  was  reintroduced  in  the 
Fifty-fifth  Congress  and  all  efforts  available  were  concentrated 
on  the  measure.  But  the  solons  at  Washington  were  not  ready 
for  such  an  enterprise. 

AMENDMENTS  TO  THE  NATIONAL  CONSTITUTION 

Two  joint  resolutions  proposing  amendments  to  the  Federal 
Constitution  as  follows,  were  supported  by  the  National  Legislative 
Committee  with  the  approval  of  the  National  Council: 

Article  XVI.  Neither  Congress  nor  any  state  shall  pass  any  law 
respecting  an  establishment  of  religion,  or  prohibiting  the  free  exercise 
thereof,  or  use  the  property  or  credit  of  the  United  States  or  of  any  state, 
or  any  money  raised  by  taxation,  or  authorize  either  to  be  used,  for  the 
purpose  of  founding,  maintaining  or  aiding,  by  appropriation,  payment 
for  service,  expenses,  or  otherwise,  any  church,  religious  denomination,  or 
religious  society,  or  any  institution,  society,  or  undertaking,  which  is 
wholly  or  in  part,  under  sectarian  or  ecclesiastical   control." 

"  Article  XVII.     No  state  shall  grant  the  right  of  suffrage  to   any 
person  not  a  citizen  of  the  United  States." 
16 


242  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

PROTEST  AGAINST  CHURCH  BUILDING  AT  WEST  POINT 

On  January  8,  1898,  Mr.  Odell,  of  New  York,  introduced  into 
the  House  of  Representatives  the  following  bill: 

"  That  the  Secretary  of  War,  in  his  discretion,  may  authorize  the 
erection  of  a  building  for  religious  worship  by  any  denomination,  sect, 
or  religion  on  the  West  Point  Military  Reservation :  Provided,  That  such 
building  will  not  interfere  with  the  uses  of  said  reservation  for  military 
purposes.  Said  building  shall  be  erected  without  any  expense  whatever 
to  the  Government  of  the  United  States,  and  shall  be  removed  from  the 
reservation,  or  its  location  changed  by  the  denomination,  sect,  or  religious 
body  erecting  the  same  whenever,  in  the  opinion  of  the  Secretary  of  War, 
public  or  military  necessity  shall  require  it,  and  without  compensation 
for  such  building  or  any  other  expense  whatever  to  the  Government." 

The  mere  reading  of  the  proposed  act  does  not  strike  the 
reader  as  very  vicious  legislation,  as  it  gave  to  any  and  every  sect 
the  same  privilege;  but  reading  it  from  a  retrospective  standpoint, 
the  "  nigger  in  the  woodpile  "  is  perceived.  Three  years  previous 
to  this,  application  had  been  made  to  Mr.  Lamont,  the  Secretary  of 
War  at  that  time,  by  certain  Eoman  Catholic  priests  for  permission 
to  erect  a  stone  chapel  at  West  Point,  and  the  permission  was 
granted  and  work  thereon  was  started.  Protests  were  filed  against 
the  erection  of  the  building,  claiming  that  the  chapel  owned  by  the 
Government  at  the  Military  Academy  and  in  which  religious  ser- 
vices conducted  by  the  chaplains  of  the  IT.  S.  Army  was  sufficient 
for  all  purposes,  and  that  no  building  should  be  erected  by  any 
sectarian  body  on  Government  property.  An  examination  of  the 
subject  showed  that  the  Secretary  of  War  exceeded  his  authority 
and  the  permission  was,  therefore,  countermanded. 

As  the  proposed  law  was  purely  a  sectarian  piece  of  strategy 
on  the  part  of  the  Roman  church  to  secure  a  building  on  the 
Reservation,  the  National  Legislative  Committee  strenuously 
opposed  it  on  the  ground  of  a  violation  of  the  principles  of  the 
United  States  Constitution  that  demanded  a  separation  of  the 
Church  and  State,  believing  that  pernicious  results  would  flow 
from  such  legislation. 

FLAG   LEGISLATION 

Quite  a  number  of  bills  from  time  to  time  have  been  intro- 
duced into  the  United  States  Congress,  having  for  their  purpose  the 
protection  of  the  American  Flag  from  mutilation  and  desecration. 
Being  too  radical  and  defective,  some  of  these  bills  were  not  even 
considered  in  the  Committee  and  fell  by  the  way.     In  189S,  House 


UNITED  AMERICAN   MECHANICS  243 

Bill  No.  5172  was  introduced,  entitled  "An  Act  to  Prevent  the 
Desecration  of  the  American  Flag."  The  bill  made  it  unlawful 
to  display  on  the  American  Flag-  any  words,  designs  or  figures, 
with  the  exception  that  the  national  or  state  regiments  or  Grand 
Army  Posts  should  have  the  right  to  put  on  the  flag  the  name 
and  number  of  such  post  or  regiment.  The  bill  also  provided  that 
no  representation  of  the  flag  shall  be  attached,  imprinted  or  repre- 
sented upon  any  goods,  wares,  or  merchandise,  or  any  advertise- 
ment of  the  same.  No  trade-mark  with  a  representation  of  the 
flag  was  permitted  by  the  provisions  of  the  proposed  measure,  and 
no  representation  of  the  flag  was  allowed  upon  letter  heads,  or 
envelopes,  as  used  by  so  many  Councils  as  well  as  other  patriotic 
societies. 

The  National  Legislative  Committee  did  not  approve  of  the 
bill  in  its  entirety,  and  claimed  it  was  not  adequately  and  fully 
drawn,  from  the  fact  that  there  was  in  it  no  provision  to  prevent 
the  actual  abuse  of  and  insult  to  the  flag  by  those  who  maliciously 
tear  it  down  and  mutilate  it.  To  remedy  this  defect,  the  Commit- 
tee drew  up  a  bill  of  its  own  and  the  same  was  introduced  into  the 
House  by  Mr.  Dalzell,  of  Pennsylvania,  under  the  title :  "  To 
Protect  the  American  Flag  from  Insult  and  Desecration,"  and  its 
provisions  were  as  follows : 

"  That  it  shall  be  unlawful  for  any  person  or  persons  to  wilfully 
and  maliciously  take  down,  pollute,  injure,  or  remove,  or  in  any  manner 
insult,  damage,  or  destroy  any  American  flag  which  now  or  hereafter  may 
be  put,  erected,  or  placed  on  or  in  any  private  or  public  building  or  place, 
or  on  any  private  or  public  highway  or  grounds.  Any  violation  of  this 
act  shall  be  punishable,  on  conviction,  in  either  of  the  circuit  or  district 
courts  of  the  United  States  or  the  Supreme  Court  of  the  District  of 
Columbia  or  the  courts  of  the  Territories,  within  their  respective  juris- 
dictions by  a  fine  of  fifty  dollars  for  each  offence,  or  by  imprisonment  not 
exceeding  six  months,  or  both  at  the  discretion  of  the  court." 

The  bill  was  considered  a  good  one  by  those  qualified  to  judge, 
but  D.  B.  Henderson,  Chairman  of  the  Judiciary  Committee,  whose 
opposition  to  purely  American  principles  was  a  noted  feature  of 
his  public  life  in  the  United  States  Congress,  refused  to  act  upon 
the  bill  and  report  to  the  House  on  same. 

LEGISLATION   AGAINST    SECTARIAN   APPROPRIATIONS 

Great  credit  belongs  to  the  National  Legislative  Committee 
for  its  work  in  defeating  in  the  United  States  Congress  the  appro- 
priating of  monies  for  sectarian  purposes.  For  years  Roman 
Catholic  institutions  had  been  feeding  from  the  public  crib  without 


244  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

any  protest.  Brother  Collins  at  once  took  up  the  fight  against 
such  appropriation  of  money  contrary  to  an  expression  of  Con- 
gress previously  made,  and,  while  he  had  a  hard  battle,  he  even- 
tually won. 

The  House  in  1898  fortunately  had  a  Chairman  of  the  Com- 
mittee on  Appropriations  for  the  District  of  Columbia,  who  was 
vigorously  opposed  to  granting  public  money  for  sectarian  purposes, 
General  W.  W.  Grout,  of  Vermont.  In  reporting  his  appropriation 
bill  for  the  District  of  Columbia,  December  13,  1898,  he  omitted 
from  the  bill  three  sectarian  institutions  that  had  been  asking  for 
and  receiving  appropriations  hitherto.  In  defense  of  his  position 
for  omitting  the  appropriations  for  said  institutions,  General  Grout 
claimed  that  the  Commissioners  of  the  District  did  not  desire  two 
of  the  three  to  be  made,  while  all  were  omitted  "  for  the  purpose 
of  keeping  faith  with  a  declaration  which  Congress  had  made  here- 
tofore, that  these  sectarian  appropriatons  should  be  dispensed 
with."  The  bill  provoked  a  bitter  discussion,  all  the  Eomanists 
and  Eomanists  in  principle  among  the  Congressmen  contended  that 
the  usual  appropriations  should  be  made  to  the  said  Catholic  insti- 
tutions. The  bill,  however,  passed  the  House  as  recommended  by 
General  Grout. 

The  bill  came  up  in  the  Senate  on  January  7,  1899,  and  was 
so  amended  as  to  appropriate  several  thousands  of  dollars  to  five 
Eoman  Catholic  institutions  of  the  District  of  Columbia,  viz. : 
"  Church  Orphanage  Association  of  St.  John's  Parish,"  "  The  St. 
Anne's  Infant  Asylum,"  "  House  of  the  Good  Shepherd,"  "  St. 
Eose  Industrial  School  "  and  "  St.  Joseph's  Asylum."  The  House, 
led  by  General  Grout,  refused  to  concur  in  these  amendments  and 
the  bill  went  into  a  Committee  of  Conference.  On  that  Committee 
from  the  House,  besides  General  Grout  and  Mr.  Dockery,  was  Eep- 
resentative  Bingham,  of  Philadelphia,  upon  whom  great  pressure 
was  brought  by  the  friends  of  Catholicism  to  vote  in  favor  of  re- 
taining the  amendment.  Brother  Collins  was  on  the  alert,  never 
asleep  when  the  enemy  was  around,  and  at  once  asked  the  Councils 
of  Philadelphia  to  petition  General  Bingham  to  stand  firm  for  the 
sentiment  of  his  constituency.  The  Councils  promptly  responded 
to  the  appeal  and  thousands  of  petitions  and  letters  poured  in  upon 
Mr.  Bingham  until  he  was  astounded  at  the  spontaneous  outburst 
of  sentiment  coming  from  his  home  city,  and  it  is  just  to  state 
that  General  Bingham,  if  he  had  any  intention  of  voting  in  con- 
ference in  favor  of  the  amendment,  saw  "  the  handwriting  on  the 
wall  "  and  voted  to  reject  same.     The  bill  was  reported  from  the 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  245 

Committee  of  Conference  to  the  House  with  the  sectarian  amend- 
ment stricken  out  and  it  came  up  for  final  passage.  The  writer 
sat  in  the  gallery  with  the  Secretary  of  the  Committee  and  listened 
to  the  animated  debate  on  the  bill.  David  B.  Henderson,  the 
champion  of  the  Roman  Catholic  Church,  made  a  very  bitter  speech 
and  complimented  the  Junior  Order  of  United  American  Mechanics 
for  their  part  in  defeating  the  sectarian  amendment,  by  denouncing 
"  a  secret  society  that  works  in  the  dark/'  and  blamed  the  defeat 
of  the  amendment  on  them.  While  the  enemies  of  the  organiza- 
tion blamed  the  National  Legislative  Committee,  and  the  Order 
back  of  them,  the  friends  of  non-sectarian  legislation  gave  to  the 
Committee  and  Order  the  unqualified  credit  for  the  great  victory 
obtained  in  the  face  of  most  powerful  influences  and  opposition. 
As  the  writer  was  Chairman  of  the  Legislative  Committee,  it  is 
just  to  say  in  this  connection,  that  to  Brother  Stephen  Collins 
belongs  all  the  credit  for  what  work  was  done  in  the  name  of  the 
Committee,  as  he  was  on  the  field  and  did  not  leave  it  until  the  gavel 
of  the  Speaker  of  the  House  of  Bepresentatives  announced  the 
ending  of  another  Congress. 

HISTORY    OF    INDIAN    SCHOOL    APPROPRIATIONS 

The  same  sentiment  that  had  been  awakened  in  opposition  to 
appropriating  money  to  sectarian  institutions  was  also  felt  in  the 
Indian  Appropriations,  which  for  years  had  gone  to  a  very  large 
extent  into  the  coffers  of  Borne.  The  National  Legislative  Commit- 
tee also  attacked  this  pernicious  system  and  exposed  the  nefarious 
methods  of  the  Catholic  Church  in  securing  public  money  for  sec- 
tarian purposes,  and  the  result  was,  Congress  also  awakened  to  the 
despicable  business  and  forthwith  changed  the  whole  procedure 
of  Indian  Appropriations.  For  this  work,  members  of  Congress 
gave  unstinted  praise  to  the  National  Legislative  Committee  and 
the  Order  it  represented. 

A  little  history  of  this  "  sectarian  steal  "  will  emphasize  the 
good  accomplished  by  our  Committee  on  National  Legislation.  It 
is  not  the  purpose  of  the  writer  to  denounce  the  Roman  Catholic 
Church  as  a  system  of  religious  belief,  for  the  Constitution  of  the 
United  States  gives  to  every  man  the  right  to  worship  God  accord- 
ing to  the  dictates  of  his  own  conscience;  but  to  challenge  the 
actions  of  the  Roman  Catholic  political  machine  al  Washington 
masquerading  under  the  pretense  of  a  church. 

The  question  of  the  education  and  Christianizathm  of  the 
American  Indian,  or  what  was  left  of  the  race,  presented  itself  to 


246  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

the  American  statesmen  along  about  1877,  in  which  year  Congress 
appropriated  $20,000  for  their  education.  The  appropriation  was 
increased  from  year  to  year  until  in  1886  the  amount  appropriated 
was  $600,000,  and  in  1889  it  reached  the  enormous  sum  of  $1,300,- 
000,  and  four  years  later  $2,300,000  was  appropriated  by  Congress. 
This  vast  sum  of  money  was  too  much  of  a  temptation  to  the 
Roman  Catholic  Church  which  at  once  sought  to  lay  hands  upon  it 
and  keep  it  under  sectarian  control.  To  this  end,  the  Roman 
Catholic  political  machine  established  in  the  City  of  Washington 
a  "  Bureau  of  Catholic  Indian  Missions,"  as  an  organization  to 
influence  legislation  and  manipulate  this  great  sum  of  money  and 
turn  it  from  the  treasury  into  the  coffers  of  Rome  for  Indian 
Sectarian  Schools.  The  establishment  of  this  "  Bureau "  was  a 
well-thought  out  scheme,  thoroughly  organized  and  equipped  with 
officers  and  clerks.  During  the  term  of  President  Cleveland,  first 
term,  from  1885  to  1889,  the  Roman  church  secured  the  appoint- 
ment of  the  Superintendent  of  Education,  as  well  as  the  chief  clerk, 
who  had  all  the  management  of  the  details  of  Indian  education  in 
the  office  of  the  Commissioner  of  Indian  Affairs,  both  of  whom 
were  the  tools  of  this  Roman  Catholic  Political  Bureau.  This 
same  "  machine "  secured  the  appointment  of  as  many  Indian 
agents  as  possible  who  were  devotees  of  the  Roman  church.  They 
secured  Catholic  teachers  for  these  schools  who,  faithful  to  their 
early  instruction,  introduced  into  these  government  schools  the 
Roman  Catholic  catechism  and  made  that  the  basis  of  their  instruc- 
tion to  the  untutored  savage  of  the  plains,  making  the  schools  as 
completely  parochial  schools  as  though  they  had  been  paid  out  of 
the  church  funds  of  the  parent  church  for  the  propagation  of 
Romanism.  Then,  like  the  fable  of  the  Arab,  the  camel  and  the 
tent,  having  got  the  head  inside,  the  same  political  machine  pushed 
the  whole  body  into  the  public  crib,  horns,  cloven  feet  and  all,  and 
established  their  own  schools  among  the  Indians  and  secured  appro- 
priations from  Congress  for  their  maintenance.  In  1886  they 
secured  $118,000  for  this  purpose,  the  next  year  $194,000,  then 
$221,000,  and  when  General  Thomas  J.  Morgan,  that  gallant  patriot 
who  opposed  the  principle  of  taking  public  money  for  sectarian 
purposes,  took  hold  of  the  Indian  Affairs  as  Commissioner,  the 
appropriation  to  Catholic  schools  alone  amounted  to  $347,000. 
Unsatisfied  with  that,  when  General  Morgan  was  appointed,  the 
Roman  Bureau  asked  for  $400,000  and  intimated  that  they  would 
ask  more  largely  as  the  years  rolled  on.  In  brief,  from  1886  to 
1893,  the  Roman  Catholic  Church  obtained  from  the  public  treas- 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  247 

ury,  two  million  three  hundred  and  sixty-six  dollars  for  the  support 
of  their  own  Indian  institutions. 

It  should  be  stated  in  this  connection,  however,  that  Protestant 
denominations,  with  the  exception  of  the  Baptists,  for  the  most 
part  were  receiving  at  the  same  time  money  from  the  government 
for  the  same  purpose,  amounting  in  seven  years  to  $3,767,000. 
But  to  the  credit  of  these  Protestant  denominations,  when  the 
sentiment  was  awakened  in  opposition  to  such  sectarian  use  of 
the  public  money,  every  one  of  them  refused  any  further  appro- 
priation; but  not  so  the  Roman  Catholic  Church.  When  General 
Morgan  protested  against  such  use  of  the  government  money,  the 
Roman  Catholics  began  to  upbraid  him  and  took  every  means  to 
thwart  his  plans  in  adopting  and  carrying  out  a  new  policy  concern- 
ing the  Indian  schools.  They  even  went  so  far  as  to  lay  the  matter 
before  President  Harrison  and  asked  him  to  remove  the  Indian 
Commissioner  who  would  defy  the  behests  of  the  Roman  hierachy. 
After  the  Committee  of  Catholic  prelates  had  made  their  statement, 
the  President  made  the  following  brave  reply:  "Gentlemen,  the 
reasons  you  state  for  the  withdrawal  of  the  Indian  Commissioner 
are  chiefly  the  reasons  that  prompted  me  to  send  in  his  name." 
Defeated  in  that  line  of  attack,  they  pursued  another  course  by 
attempting  to  destroy  General  Morgan's  reputation,  charging  him 
with  falsehood,  tried  to  blacken  his  military  record,  and  demanded, 
through  the  press  of  the  country,  his  dismissal.  They  followed 
him  to  Congress  to  prevent  his  confirmation,  he  having  acted  for 
some  time  in  the  interim  of  Congress,  and  buttoned-holed  members 
of  the  Senate,  but  they  were  again  doomed  to  ignominious  defeat. 

Following  up  the  brave  stand  made  by  General  Morgan,  the 
National  Legislative  Committee  took  up  the  fight  and  pressed 
the  battle  to  the  very  gates ;  and  as  stated  above,  they  won  a  decisive 
victory  and  forever  put  an  end  to  sectarian  appropriations  of  public 
money  to  the  Indian  schools.  The  Committee,  in  their  argument, 
kept  before  the  members  of  the  Congress  the  one  great,  all-powerful 
principle  written  upon  the  pages  of  history,  that  the  union  of 
Church  and  State  was  hurtful  alike  to  both;  that  the  Republic 
had,  in  its  infancy,  entered  upon  a  career  of  experiment  in  advance 
of  human  governments ;  that  the  state  without  a  king,  the  Church 
without  a  bishop  by  authority  of  the  state,  was  one  of  the  great 
characteristics  of  our  civilization  and  one  of  the  marks  of  the 
American  Republic.  And  to  the  credit  of  the  American  statesmen, 
they  heeded  the  appeal  of  our  Committee  and  set  a  bar  to  further 
encroachments  by  the  Roman  Catholic  political  machine. 


CHAPTER   XVI 
2.   STATE    LEGISLATION 

THE  Jr.  0.  U.  A.  M.,  as  an  organization,  in  several  of  the 
states,  has  been  active  in  its  support  of  helpful  legislation  in 
harmony  with  the  Objects  and  Principles  of  the  Order.  Indirectly, 
the  National  Council  has  had  a  part,  at  least,  in  the  proposed  legis- 
lation in  the  several  commonwealths,  as  all  measures  drafted  or 
suggested  for  such  legislation  had  to  be  approved  by  the  National 
Legislative  Committee,  which  Committee  was  always  available  and 
ready  to  assist  State  Committees  when  requested.  In  brief  we  will 
refer  to  certain  measures  proposed  for  State  Legislation,  giving 
fuller  details  to  those  acts  that  were  national  in  their  influence  and 
of  which  legislation  the  Order  is  justly  proud. 

WISCONSIN 

Bennett  Compulsory  Educational  Law 

While  antedating  the  active  cooperation  of  the  Order  in  legis- 
lation and  prior  to  the  creation  of  the  National  Legislative  Com- 
mittee, the  "  Bennett  Law,"  enacted  in  1889,  in  the  State  of  Wis- 
consin, and  termed  a  compulsory  educational  act,  had  the  "  moral 
support "  at  least,  of  the  organization,  and  was  among  the  first 
measures  of  its  kind  to  be  adopted.  The  main  provisions  of  the  bill 
were  as  follows : 

"  Section  1.  Every  parent  or  other  person  having  under  his  control 
a  child  between  the  ages  of  seven  and  fourteen  years  shall  annually 
cause  such  child  to  attend  some  public  or  private  day  school  in  the  city, 
town  or  district  in  which  he  resides  for  a  period  not  less  than  twelve 
weeks  in  each  year,  which  number  of  weeks  shall  be  fixed  prior  to  the 
first  day  of  September  in  each  year  by  the  board  of  education,  etc.  .  .  . 
provided  that  such  boards  shall  not  fix  such  compulsory  period  at  more 
than  twenty-four  weeks. 

"  Section  5.  No  school  shall  be  regarded  as  a  school,  under  this 
act,  unless  there  shall  be  taught  therein,  as  a  part  of  the  elementary  edu- 
cation of  children,  reading,  writing,  arithmetic  and  United  States  history, 
in  the  English  language." 

The  principle  as  incorporated  in  the  provisions  of  the  Bennett 
law  was  right.  It  contained  the  germ  of  truth  to  which  the 
majority  of  American  people  subscribe.  Education  was  made  one 
of  the  corner-stones  of  the  Eepublic  by  its  founders  and  time  only 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  249 

has  shown  the  wisdom  of  their  actions.  The  law  indicated  no 
prejudice  against  any  foreign  language  or  opposition  to  it  being 
taught,  but  simply  asked  and  demanded  thai  a  part  of  the  educa- 
tion in  the  schools  be  in  the  English  language. 

The  enactment  of  this  legislation  aroused  bitter  antagonism  in 
the  state,  especially  among  the  German  population,  both  Protestant 
and  Catholic,  and  it  became  the  issue  in  the  election  of  said  state, 
in  which  election  the  law  was  rescinded. 

The  campaign  which  resulted  in  the  defeat  of  the  Bennett 
Law  was  one  of  vituperation  and  misrepresentation,  in  which  the 
press  of  the  entire  country,  especially  that  under  the  influence  of 
the  German  and  Catholic  churches,  took  a  prominent  part.  One 
paper  called  the  enactment  of  the  law  as  "  coercion  through  the 
brutal  power  of  the  state  exercised  by  the  time-serving  and  ignorant 
politician  and  enforced  by  the  clubs  of  a  political  constabulary." 

The  real  objection  to  the  law  was  the  requirement  that  the 
elementary  branches  should  be  taught  in  the  English  language. 
The  German  Catholic  and  Lutheran  churches  in  Wisconsin  are 
very  strong  and  each  support  a  large  number  of  parochial  schools. 
At  that  time  the  German  language  was  almost  exclusively  taught  in 
those  schools,  and,  as  a  consequence,  thousands  of  young  men  and 
women  were  growing  up  who  did  not  know  a  single  word  of  English. 
To  such  an  extent  was  this  exclusion  of  the  English  language 
carried  that,  as  Governor  Hoard,  of  that  state  said,  court  business 
in  several  of  the  counties  could  proceed  only  with  the  aid  of  an 
interpreter.  The  purpose  of  the  Bennett  Law  was  to  correct  this, 
not  by  proscribing  German  but  by  demanding  enough  teaching  of 
English  to  enable  every  one  to  understand  the  language  of  the 
country  in  which  he  resided. 

It  also  was  an  erroneous  statement,  used  as  a  campaign  "  fake,*' 
that  the  Bennett  Law  was  a  blow  at  the  parochial  school.  It  said 
nothing  against  parochial  or  private  schools  whatever,  and  only 
provided  that  at  least  for  twelve  weeks  the  English  language  shall 
be  taught,  and  if  this  requirement  was  met  by  such  schools,  well 
and  good,  if  not,  then  for  three  months  at  least  the  children  must 
attend  the  public  schools  where  the  facility  for  such  education  could 
be  secured.  The  law  did  not  prevent  said  parochial  or  private 
schools  from  teaching  what  they  pleased;  they  could  teach  Persian 
or  Chinese  if  they  chose,  but  for  twelve  weeks  they  must  see  that 
their  children  have  instruction  in  the  English  language,  and  then 
for  the  rest  of  the  year  they  could  send  them  to  whatever  school  they 


250  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

wished  and  teach  them  anything  they  wanted.     Hence  the  incon- 
sistency of  the  opposition  to  the  Bennett  Law. 

The  racial  question  predominated  largely  in  the  campaign, 
and  there  was  aroused  an  intense  race  hatred.  This  feeling  was 
greatly  accelerated  by  the  German  press.  Note  the  following 
from  the  Germania,  the  organ  of  the  German  Lutheran  Church  of 
Milwaukee: 

"  But  the  victory  in  the  election  of  April,  is  also  a  most  wonder- 
ful victory  of  Germandom  over  narrow-hearted  nativism.  And .  that 
Germandom  went  into  this  fight  tolerably  well  united  may  be  partly 
ascribed  to  the  attacks  made  for  several  months  past  by  the  English 
(Democrat)  press  of  our  city  (Milwaukee)  against  it.  These  attacks 
brought  into  line  the  large  majority  of  Germans,  rank  and  file." 

It  was  truly  unfortunate  that  national  prejudices  were  appealed 
to,  that  a  distinctive  German  element  was  fostered  and  that  Ameri- 
can laws  were  resisted  on  the  ground  of  nationalism.  Such  an  atti- 
tude by  the  Germans  of  Wisconsin  was  contrary  to  the  spirit  of 
republicanism,  as  well  as  a  direct  antagonism  with  the  essence  of 
the  Constitution  and  of  all  the  liberal  institutions  founded  thereon. 
In  short,  it  was  an  insidious,  left-handed  attack  upon  our  system 
of  public  schools. 

On  the  day  of  the  election  that  resulted  in  the  defeat  of  said 
law,  it  is  stated  that  the  German  clergy,  both  Protestant  and 
Catholic,  joined  their  forces.  Catholic  priests  were  busy  the  whole 
day  getting  their  members  to  the  polls.  Some  precincts,  wholly 
Catholic,  voted  their  entire  strength  against  the  bill.  The  Capu- 
chin Monks,  250  in  number,  marched  in  a  body  to  the  polls  led  by 
their  father  confessor.  It  was  the  first  battle  in  defense  of  the 
English  language  and  of  compulsory  education  and  aroused  a  strong 
sentiment  in  the  Order  all  over  the  country,  which  resulted  in  the 
Order  taking  higher  ground  on  the  public  school  question  that 
eventually  brought  about  such  excellent  legislation,  especially  in 
Pennsylvania. 

Illinois  and  Iowa  had  compulsory  educational  laws  framed 
after  the  Bennett  Law,  with  the  exception,  that  in  Illinois,  the  term 
was  at  least  sixteen  iveeJcs  for  English  teaching,  and  that  geography 
be  included.  The  same  animosity  was  stirred  in  both  states  by  the 
same  German  element  as  manifested  in  Wisconsin. 

COLORADO 

The  Junior  Order  in  Colorado  along  about  1895  to  1897  was 
quite  active  in  its  efforts  to  secure  legislation  in  harmony  with  the 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  251 

teachings  of  the  organization,  and  presented  several  drafts  of  bills 
to  the  National  Legislative  Committee  for  their  approval.  Some 
of  the  measures  proposed,  if  1  am  not  at  fault  in  recollection,  were 
enacted  into  law:  but  be  that  true  or  not,  the  point  we  desire  to 
bring  out  is  the  intention  that  the  members  of  the  Order  had  in 
bringing  before  the  General  Assemblies  such  proposed  legislation 
with  which  this  patriotic  society  was  in  sympathy.  As  in  the 
National  Congress,  many  of  these  efforts  put  forth  by  State  Legis- 
lative Committees  failed,  yet  they  were  the  means  of  bringing  to 
the  attention  of  the  people  at  large  the  fact  of  what  the  organization 
was  here  for  and  the  kind  of  work  it  was  doing. 

The  following  bills,  given  only  by  title  in  this  connection, 
were  presented  to  the  Legislature  of  Colorado: 

1.  "  An  Act  to  Prescribe  an  Educational   Qualification   for   Voters." 

The  main  provision  of  this  bill  was  an  additional  qualification 
to  that  already  prescribed  by  law,  that  the  voter  "  shall  be  able  to 
write  his  name  and  read,  in  the  English  language,  any  section  of 
the  Constitution  of  the  United  States,  or  of  the  State  of  Colorado." 

2.  "  To  provide  that  School  Trustees  and  Boards  of  Education  in 
every  school  district  of  this  state  shall  furnish  free  text-books  and  all 
necessary   supplies   to  all   scholars   attending   the   public   schools." 

3.  "  An  Act  providing  for  purchase  and  display  of  United  States 
Hags  in  connection  with  the  public  schools." 

4.  "  An  Act  to  prescribe  qualifications  of  electors  in  elections  for 
school  directors  held  in  any  city  in  the  state  of  over  one  hundred  thou- 
sand inhabitants,  or  any  city  in  this  state  operating  under  special  charter, 
and  to  provide  penalties  for  violation  thereof." 

0.  "  An  Act  to  prevent  employment  of  any  person  not  a  citizen  of 
the  Unted  States  by  any  state,  county,  municipal  officer  or  school  director, 
state,  county,  or  municipal  body,  board,  city  council  or  committee  thereof, 
etc." 

NEW    JERSEY 

Not  to  be  behind  Pennsylvania  in  the  line  of  patriotic  legisla- 
tion, New  Jersey,  through  the  State  Council  Legislative  Commit- 
tee, in  1894,  did  more  in  a  practical  way  in  a  few  months  time 
than  was  ever  accomplished  in  any  state  in  the  same  length  of  time. 
The  National  Councilor  in  his  report  to  the  National  Council  of 
that  year  refers  to  this  legislation,  and  gave  much  of  the  credit  to 
the  energetic  labors  of  Brother  Charles  L.  Walters,  a  member  of 
the  General  Assembly  from  Monmouth  county.  The  three  bills 
presented  and  which  became  laws,  were  as  follows : 

1.  To  provide  for  the  total  proceeds  of  Riparian  sales,  grants  and 
leases  to  go  into  the  school  fund  which  at  the  time  amounted  to  $4,000,000. 


252  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

A   former   legislature   had   diverted   a   portion   of   the   proceeds    into   other 
channels. 

2.  A  free  text-book  bill. 

3.  To  make  it  compulsory  on  school  boards  to  provide  flags  and 
staffs  for  the  public   schools. 

In  1897,  the  following  bill  was  introduced  into  the  New  Jersey 
Legislature,  the  same  having  been  approved  by  the  National  Legis- 
lative Committee  and  the  National  Board  of  Officers: 

"  That  no  person  or  persons  shall  hereafter  be  licensed  to  sell  strong 
or  spirituous  liquors,  wine,  ale,  or  beer  in  any  building  for  which  a 
license  does  not  exist  at  the  time  of  the  passage  of  this  act  which  shall 
be  on  the  same  street  or  avenue  and  within  two  hundred  feet  of  a  building 
occujded  exclusively  as  a  church,  charitable  institution,  or  a  public  school- 
house. 

"  The  measurements  shall  be  taken  between  the  nearest  points  of 
the  buildings  used  for  such  church,  charitable  institution,  or  public  school- 
house,  and  the  place  for  which  an  application  for  a  license  has  been 
made."' 

An  act  was  passed  in  the  New  Jersey  Legislature  in  1894, 
"  To  Encourage  and  Promote  Patriotism/'  which  was  amended 
by  a  bill,  offered  in  the  Legislature  in  1898,  at  the  request  of  the 
State  Council  Legislative  Committee,  approved  by  the  National 
Legislative  Committee,  and  was  as  follows : 

"  In  all  the  public  schools  of  the  State  of  New  Jersey  the  last  school 
day  preceding  the  following  holidays,  viz :  Decoration  or  Memorial  Day. 
Fourth  of  July,  and  Thanksgiving  Day,  shall  be  devoted  to  the  develop- 
ment and  promotion  of  a  higher  spirit  of  patriotism  by  the  observing  of 
proper  and  appropriate  exercises;  also,  that  on  the  Friday  preceding 
Washington's  Birthday  similar  exercises  shall  be  held  celebrating  Wash- 
ington's and   Lincoln's   Birthday.-' 

There  was  also  introduced  in  the  same  Legislature  a  bill  for 
"  An  Act  to  Begulate  the  employment  of  Labor  in  State  Municipal 
Corporations,  or  otherwise  engaged  in  Public  Works." 

OHIO 

The  State  Council  Legislative  Committee  of  Ohio,  composed 
of  Geo.  Donaldson,  Dr.  S.  0.  Giffin  and  John  H.  Arnold,  was 
active  in  pushing  to  successful  consummation  in  the  Ohio  Legis- 
lature, legislation  in  harmony  with  the  principles  of  our  Order. 
In  the  face  of  much  opposition  from  the  enemies  of  the  Order 
and  of  American  institutions,  the  following  enactments  were  se- 
cured, given  here  only  by  title: 

1.  "To  Prevent  the  display  of  foreign  flags  on  Public  Buildings." 
Not  a  vote  was  cast  against  this  measure  in  either  the  Senate  or  House. 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  25S 

2.  "To  Provide  for  the  Inspection  of  all  Private  Hospitals,  Reforma- 
tory Homes,  Homes  of  Detention,  Private  Asylums,  and  all  Correctional 
or  Reformatory  Institutions  in  the  State  of  Ohio."  This  bill  passed  in 
the  Senate  by  21  to  5  and  in  the  House  by  a  vote  of  62  to  7. 

3.  "  To  Provide  for  the  Placing  of  the  Flag  upon  all  Schoolhouses." 

The  Senate  vote  on  this  bill  stood  19  in  favor  and  none 
against;  in  the  House  the  vote  stood  ayes  83,  nays  3. 

In  1902,  a  bill  was  introduced  into  the  Legislature  known  as 
"  The  Ohio  Penitentiary  Chaplain  Bill,"  providing,  along  with 
other  employees,  "a  Roman  Catholic  Chaplain  approved  by  tin- 
Bishop  of  the  Diocese  of  Columbus  at  a  salary  of  $50  per  month." 
The  Legislative  Committee  protested  and  the  proposed  act  was 
defeated. 

KENTUCKY 

In  1903,  Bev.  Thomas  Hackett,  a  Roman  Catholic  priest,  filed 
an  injunction  against  the  school  trustees  of  the  Brookville  graded 
school  district  asking  that  they  and  the  teachers  of  said  school  be 
restrained  from  the  use  of  the  English  translation  of  the  Bible 
known  as  "  King  James "  or  "  Authorized  Edition,"  and  from 
opening  the  school  with  prayers  and  songs  alleged  to  be  denomi- 
national, therefore  sectarian  and  in  violation  of  the  Constitution. 
The  case  was  fought  by  the  Junior  Order  and  was  heard  before 
Judge  James  F.  Harbeson,  who,  on  December  3,  1903,  rendered  his 
decision  dismissing  the  petition,  and  in  said  opinion  said  that 
the  Bible  was  the  foundation  of  all  Christian  Government,  and  that 
it  was  not  sectarian. 

The  case  was  carried  to  the  Court  of  Appeals  by  the  Catholic 
priest,  which  tribunal  handed  down  its  opinion,  affirming  the  lower 
Court,  as  per  the  following  review  of  the  case: 

"The  question  presented  on  appeals  were:  First,  does  the  offering 
of  prayer  upon  opening  of  a  public  school  make  it  a  sectarian  school 
within  the  meaning  of  Section  189  of  the  Constitution,  and,  second,  is 
the  Bible  above-mentioned  a  sectarian  book  within  the  meaning  of  Section 
4368.  Kentucky  Statutes?  The  children  of  tlie  appellant  were  members 
of  the  Roman  Catholic  Church. 

"  The  Court  says  that  the  Brookville  school  is  in  no  sense  a  sectarian 
or  denominational  school;  that  Section  180  of  the  Constitution  was  aimed, 
not  to  regulate  the  curriculum  of  the  common  schools  of  the  state,  but 
to  prevent  the  appropriation  of  public  money  to  aid  schools  maintained 
by  any  church  or  sect  of  religionists ;  that  the  evidence  here  shows  that 
in  the  Brookville  school  worship  of  God  is  not  compulsory,  and  children 
of  appellant  were  not  required  to  attend  during  the  exercises  complained 
of,  nor  to  participate  in  them. 

"The  Court,  in  part,  says:  'The  Constitutional  Convention  in  fram- 
ing tin'  organic  law  for  all  the  people  of  the  state  musl   be  presumed  to 


254  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

have  used  ordinary  words,  not  according  to  the  peculiar  views  of  the  few, 
but  as  generally  used.  The  word  "  sectarian,"  from  the  connection  which 
it  is  used,  cannot  be  given  the  construction  contended  for  by  appellant, 
which  seems  to  be  that  any  form  of  prayer  not  authorized  by  a  particular 
church  is  sectarian.' 

"The  Court  says  that  neither  the  '  King  James  '  edition,  nor  any 
edition  of  the  Bible,  is  sectarian.  That  the  adoption  of  any  particular 
edition  by  one  or  more  denominations  as  authentic,  or  by  them  asserted 
to  be  inspired,  cannot  make  it  a  sectarian  book." 

DELAWARE 

During  the  year  of  1894,  the  Board  of  Officers  of  Delaware 
prepared  and  had  introduced  in  the  Legislature  of  the  state  the 
following  bill,  given  here  by  title,  which  became  a  law : 

"  An  Act  Providng  for  the  purchasing  and  display  of  United 
States  flags  in  connection  with  the  public  school  buildings  of  the 
State." 

In  1895  a  Compulsory  Education  measure  was  endorsed  and 
introduced  into  the  Legislature. 

By  endorsement  of  the  State  Council,  the  Legislative  Commit- 
tee presented  to  the  Constitution  Committee  of  the  State  of  Dela- 
ware the  following  petition  to  be  brought  before  the  Constitutional 
Convention  to  convene  the  same  year: 

"  First.  That  in  forming  our  new  Constitution,  it  shall  expressly 
declare  and  prohibit  any  moneys  of  this  state  or  any  of  its  counties 
being  appropriated  for  sectarian  purposes. 

"  Second.  That  all  public  schools  shall  be  opened  by  the  reading 
of  a  portion  from  the  Bible  daily. 

"  Third.  That  it  shall  be  the  imposed  duty  of  all  schools  in  this 
state,  to  see  that  the  American  flag,  the  Stars  and  Stripes,  floats  over 
every  school." 

INDIANA 

In  1897  a  bill  for  Compulsory  Education  was  introduced  into 
the  Indiana  Legislature  through  the  efforts  of  the  Order,  which 
provided  that  all  children  between  the  ages  of  8  and  15  shall  attend 
the  public  schools  for  seven  months  of  the  year. 

In  1903  two  bills  were  introduced  through  the  efforts  of  the 
State  Council  Legislative  Committee,  viz. : 

1.  Placing  the  American  flag  upon  Public  School   Buildings. 

2.  A  Free  Text-book  Measure. 

Both  bills  were  unfavorably  reported  by  the  Committee  of  the 
Legislature. 

In  1905,  a  Free  Text-book  Bill  was  again  introduced  by  request 
of  the  Order,  but,  as  with  former  bills,  it  died  in  the  Committee. 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  255 

MARYLAND 

In  the  year  1896,  the  State  Council  Legislative  Committee 
of  Maryland  were  active  in  pressing  certain  legislation  before  tho 
State  Legislature,  the  principal  proposed  measures  being  as  follows : 

1.  To  make  it  compulsory  on  the  part  of  the  School  Commissioners 
of  any  school  in  the  state  to  float  from  every  schoolhouse  the  American 
ilag  on  public  holidays  and  every  day  when  school  is  in  session  ;it  the 
expense  of  the   state. 

2.  To  require  the  study  of  Civil  Government  in  our  Public  Schools. 

3.  That  all  children  attending  Public  Schools  be  supplied  with  Text- 
books free. 

4.  To  require  that  School  Commissioners  be  elected  by  popular  vote, 
and  to  adopt  such  necessary  legislation  as  will  protect  the  Public  Schools 
and  teachers  from   political   or  sectarian   influences. 

5.  To  permit  the  display  only  of  the  American  flag  upon  the  Public 
Buildings. 

All  the  above  proposed  measures  failed  of  passage,  with  the 
exception  of  Nos.  3  and  4. 

During  the  State  Council  fiscal  year  of  1896-1897  the  Legis- 
lative Committee  gave  attention  to  the  schools  where  the  flag  was 
in  a  dilapidated  condition  and  required  that  same  be  replaced  with 
new  ones;  they  also  looked  after  those  schools  where  the  teachers 
failed  to  read  the  Bible  in  the  schools. 

As  an  evidence  of  sincerity  on  the  part  of  the  Legislative 
Committee  and  the  insincerity  on  the  part  of  a  few  of  the  members 
of  the  legislative  body  who  were  members  of  the  Order,  the  follow- 
ing incident  occurred  during  the  sitting  of  the  Legislature  of  1906: 

A  bill  was  introduced  asking  for  an  appropriation  of  $50,000 
to  be  taken  from  the  "  Burnt  District  Funds  "  for  the  purpose  of 
erecting  a  new  building  for  St.  Mary's  Industrial  School.  The  pro- 
posed legislation,  purely  sectarian,  was  opposed  by  the  Order, 
through  the  Legislative  Committee,  but  it  passed  by  a  bare  consti- 
tutional majority,  and  became  a  law.  Five  members  of  the  Order 
voted  for  the  bill,  thereby  making  it  possible  for  the  above  named 
sum  to  go  into  the  hands  of  the  Eoman  Catholic  Church. 


CHAPTER  XVII 

3.  SPECIAL   NOTE    ON    PENNSYLVANIA 
LEGISLATION 

THE  "  Keystone  "  state,  the  birthplace  of  the  Order,  along  prac- 
tical lines  of  work,  especially  in  legislation,  deserves  more  than 
a  passing  notice,  as  it  was  in  this  state  that  legislation  was  enacted, 
which  exerted  an  influence  far  beyond  its  boundary  lines — prac- 
tically affecting  the  entire  Union  as  well  as  the  Order  in  every 
state,  because  great  principles  were  involved  in  connection  with  the 
public  school  system  of  the  Commonwealth. 

In  1894  the  attention  of  the  Order  was  called  to  the  fact  that 
in  various  parts  of  the  state  the  Eoman  Catholic  Church  was  inter- 
jecting religious  teaching  into  the  public  schools  peculiar  to  their 
belief,  and  that  "  nuns  "  in  the  garb  of  the  church  were  employed 
as  teachers  therein.  How  long  this  sectarian  interference  would 
have  continued  without  protest  is  hard  to  tell;  but  a  circumstance 
occurred  that  aroused  the  Jr.  0.  U.  A.  M.  and  precipitated  imme- 
diate action  that  resulted  in  great  and  final  good  to  the  public 
schools  of  the  state  and  settled,  as  far  as  the  Commonwealth  was 
concerned,  a  great  question  concerning  Eome's  attitude  towards 
our  system  of  education. 

THE  RIVERSIDE  SCHOOL  CASE 

Early  in  the  year  of  1894,  the  school  directors  of  the  Thirty- 
fourth  ward,  Pittsburg,  Pa.,  entered  into  an  arrangement  with  the 
priest  of  the  Roman  Catholic  Church  of  same  ward  (who  also  was 
head  of  the  parochial  school)  to  transfer  all  of  the  children  of  the 
local  parochial  school  into  the  public  school  building,  which  seemed 
to  have  some  vacant  rooms ;  at  the  same  time  there  were  transferred 
five  nuns  of  the  Roman  Catholic  Church  as  teachers.  These  nuns 
were  to  remain  until  the  close  of  the  month  when  it  was  the  under- 
standing that  the  local  board  of  directors  was  to  petition  the  Central 
Board  of  Education  for  more  teachers  to  meet  the  increased  number 
of  scholars,  when,  if  the  request  was  granted,  the  "  nuns  "  were  to 
be  employed  at  the  expense  of  the  school  fund.  The  local  Council 
of  the  Order,  Welcome  Council,  No.  134,  with  such  wide-awake 
patriots  as  Brothers  C.  F,  Heselbarth,  Geo.  B.  Nesbitt  and  Arthur 
256 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  257 

M.  Fording  at  its  head,  would  not  stand  for  such  high-handed  pro- 
ceedings upon  the  part  of  the  local  school  board,  some  of  whom  were 
Protestants,  and  called  the  attention  of  the  then  State  Councilor, 
W.  T.  Kerr,  who  at  once  sought  legal  advice  and  went  into  the 
courts  and  asked  that  the  nuns  be  enjoined  from  teaching  while 
attired  in  the  garb  peculiar  to  their  religious  order,  or  while  other- 
wise engaged  in  religious  work.  The  request  for  an  injunction 
aroused  a  bitter  protest  upon  the  part  of  the  press  that  was  in  sym- 
pathy with  Eoman  Catholicism. 

Before  a  temporary  injunction  could  be  secured,  the  fight  was 
carried  before  the  Central  Board  of  Education  and  the  subject  was 
so  warmly  agitated  that  that  body  fully  endorsed  the  views  of  the 
Order  in  not  permitting  the  nuns  to  teach,  clothed  in  the  garb  of 
their  church. 

Finding  an  aroused  sentiment  in  the  community  against  such 
a  procedure,  the  priest  gathered  his  flock  together  and  with  the 
nuns  and  all  removed  back  to  the  parochial  school  building  and 
continued  in  their  old  way.  This  was  the  beginning  of  a  crusade 
against  sectarianism  in  the  public  schools  of  the  state  and  the 
State  Councilor  proceeded  to  "beard  the  lion"  in  his  den  in  other 
sections  of  the  Commonwealth  and  began,  proceedings  that  ulti- 
mately defeated  the  machinations  of  Borne  so  far  as  the  schools 
were  concerned. 

THE   GALLITZIN    SCHOOL    CASE 

The  Gallitzin  School  Case  was  somewhat  similar  to  the  Kiver- 
side  Case.  The  Board  of  School  Directors  of  the  town  of  Gallitzin, 
Cambria  county,  employed  itinerant  nuns  from  the  Eoman  Catholic 
Church,  not  residents  of  the  town,  as  public  school  teachers,  these 
"  sisters  "  wearing  at  the  same  time  the  garb  peculiar  to  the  order 
of  St.  Joseph.  They  were  charged  with  teaching  the  Roman  Catho- 
lic catechism  during  and  after  school  hours  and  instructing  the 
children,  Catholic  as  well  as  Protestant,  to  call  them  "  sister  "  and 
the  local  priest,  who  was  a  constant  visitor  at  the  school,  to  be 
addressed  as  "father."-  The  members  of  the  local  Council  of  the 
Junior  Order  protested  against  having  their  children  brought  boldly 
under  such  sectarian  teaching,  and  through  State  Councilor  Kerr 
a  temporary  injunction  was  obtained  which  was  followed  by  a  five- 
day  hearing  in  the  county  court  to  make  the  injunction  permanent. 
As  this  case  was  such  a  prominent  one  and  had  in  it  a  great  prin- 
ciple involved,  affecting  the  Order  at  large,  some  space  will  be  given 
it  that  the  members  of  the  Order  of  the  present  day  may  have  some 
idea  of  the  vast  import  in  the  issue  at  stake. 
17 


258  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

The  case  at  issue  was  heard  before  Judge  Barker  in  the  Cam- 
bria county  court,  beginning  on  May  3,  1894,  the  solicitors  for 
plaintiffs  being  T.  H.  Baird  Patterson,  A.  D.  Wilkin  and  H.  W. 
Storey,  a  preliminary  injunction  having  been  obtained  on  April  28. 
The  Bill  of  Complaint  consisted  of  13  counts  alleging  that  the 
appellees,  the  School  Board  of  Gallitzin  Borough,  had  employed  six 
"  sisters  "  of  the  Order  of  St.  Joseph,  connected  with  the  Boman 
Catholic  Church,  to  teach  in  the  public  schools  of  the  said  borough, 
and  that  they  had  been  employed  and  payment  made  for  services 
by  their  "  church  names  "  instead  of  their  worldly  names  (in  the 
case  of  the  latter  four  were  unknown)  ;  "that  said  teachers  are  all 
sectarian  or  religious  sisters  of  the  Order  of  the  Sisterhood  of 
St.  Joseph,  of  said  Church,  and  have  taken  vows  whereby  they  have 
renounced  the  world  and  have  given  up  worldly  names  and  worldly 
interests,  etc." 

It  was  averred  that  said  teachers  while  in  the  perform  a  rice  of 
their  duties  in  the  schoolroom  wore  the  garb  peculiar  to  their  Order 
in  the  Roman  Catholic  Church,  "  which  was  an  emblem,  mark  or 
insignia  of  the  said  Order  and  Church,  consisting  of  such  black 
dresses,  white  caps,  white  coronets,  crucifixes,  rosaries  and  waist 
cords,  with  tassels,  as  are  peculiar  with  said  religious  Order." 

It  was  also  averred  that  the  said  teacher's  had  announced  cer- 
tain rules  to  the  children  requiring  them  to  address  said  teachers 
as  "  sister  "  and  call  them  by  their  religious  names,  and  that  by 
similar  rules  the  local  priest  was  encouraged  to  visit  the  school  and 
hear  recitations,  look  at  the  work  of  the  pupils,  individually,  which 
said  priest  was  to  be  addressed  by  the  children  as  "  father,"  the 
school  rising  on  his  entrance  or  retiring  from  the  schoolroom,  and 
when  retiring  to  thank  him  for  his  visit,  requesting  him  to  come 
again.  It  was  further  averred  in  Bill  of  Complaint  that  the  said 
teachers  taught  the  catechism  of  the  Roman  Catholic  Church  before, 
during  and  after  school  hours,  thereby  unlawfully  using  the  public 
school  building  for  religious  purposes. 

It  was  still  further  averred  that  owing  to  a  distinctive  rule  of 
the  Order  of  Sisterhood  of  St.  Joseph,  that  said  sisters  were  dis- 
qualified from  teaching  males  over  14  years  of  age,  hence  the  male 
children  of  said  age  and  over  were  placed  under  a  male  teacher  and 
by  so  doing  the  boys  were  improperly  graded  and  classified.  And 
by  rules  of  same  sisterhood  certain  branches  of  itudy,  such  as 
hygiene  and  physiology,  could  not  be  taught  by  said  sisters,  being 
disqualified  by  religious  obligations,  hence  the  children  of  said 
school  were  deprived  of  the  advantages  of  said  studies  as  required 
by  the  laws  of  the  state. 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  259 

In  view  of  those  averments,  the  plaintiffs  declared  that  the 

employment  of  sectarian  teachers  was  illegal,  it  being  a  transfor- 
mation of  the  public  schools  into  sectarian  schools,  and  the  main- 
tenance and  support  of  private  sectarian  schools  out  of  the  public 
school  funds,  which  they  claimed  was  in  derogation  of  the  rights 
of  children,  parents  and  taxpayers  of  the  district,  and  in  violation 
of  the  rights  of  conscience,  and  that  the  wearing  of  the  garb  and 
insignia  peculiar  to  their  religious  creed  had,  in  itself,  irrespective 
of  catechetical  instruction,  a  tendency  to  teach  sectarianism. 

The  case  was  stubbornly  contested  by  the  appellees,  five  days 
being  required  for  the  hearing.  Many  witnesses  were  examined, 
quite  a  number  of  them  being  pupils  of  the  school,  and,  as  is  natural 
in  a  case  of  this  kind,  there  were  evasions  and  much  hear-say  evi- 
dence. But  it  was  sufficiently  proven,  in  fact  there  was  no  denial, 
that  the  six  teachers  were  "  sisters  "  of  the  Sisterhood  of  St.  Joseph 
and  wore  the  garb  peculiar  to  their  Order.  It  was  also  proven 
that  there  was  lack  of  grading  or  classification  in  the  schools  and 
that  the  children  were  asked  to  address  their  teachers  as  "sister." 
"  it  being  more  polite."  The  catechism  was  studied  by  some  during 
school  hours,  but  the  recitations  therein  occurred  before  and  after 
school  hours  and  only  Catholic  children  were  asked  to  remain. 
While  it  was  not  shown  that  the  "sisters"  used  any  persuasion 
over  Protestant  children,  still  the  testimony  brought  out  the  fact 
that  they  wrere  very  considerate  of  them  and  less  strict  in  discipline 
over  them,  in  order  to  get  their  good  graces  and  insiduously  win 
their  love  and  affection  and  thus,  Rome-like,  draw  them  toward 
the  Catholic  Church.  It  was  also  shown  that  the  salary  received 
by  the  nuns  was  turned  over  to  the  Eoman  Catholic  Church  in 
accordance  with  the  vows  of  poverty  taken  by  them,  which  reads  as 
follows : 

"  The  vow  of  poverty  disqualifies  them  from  having  a  right  to  any- 
thing, and,  consequently,  they  cannot  under  any  pretext  whatever,  give 
away  or  receive  anything,  without  the  permission  of  the  Mother  Superior. 
.  .  .  To  banish  all  ideas  of  property  the  Sisters  of  St.  Joseph  should 
not  make  use  of  the  word  mine  when  speaking  of  the  things  they  use. 
Thus,  instead  of  saying  my  dress,  my  room,  my  book,  they  should  always 
say  our  book,  our  room,  and  our  dress,  and  so  of  the  rest." 

THE  DECISION   OF  THE   COURT   AGAINST   THE   JR.  O.  U.  A.  M. 

Supplemented  by  an  exhaustive  opinion,  Judge  Barker  decided 
in  favor  of  the  School  Directors  and  the  six  nuns,  therefore  denying 
a  perpetual  injunction  restraining  the  "  sisters "  from  teach- 
ing in  the  aforenamed  schools. 


260  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

After  reviewing  the  case  and  carefully  weighing  the  evidence, 
Judge  Barker  issued  the  following  decree: 

"And  now,  August  20,  1894,  this  case  having  been  previously  heard 
and  fully  considered,  it  is  ordered  and  decreed  as  follows:  That  the  pre- 
liminary injunction  heretofore  granted  be  dissolved  in  so  far  as  the  same 
restrain  the  school  district  of  Gallitzin  borough,  the  School  Directors  of 
said  district  and  their  successors  from  employing  the  other  defendants 
(the  nuns)  named  in  the  bill,  as  teachers  of  said  public  schools  under  the 
certificates  issued  by  the  County  Superintendent  in  their  religious  names, 
and  permitting  them  to  remain  as  such  wearing  the  garb  of  the  Order  of 
the  Sisterhood  of  St.  Joseph,  and  in  so  far  as  it  restrains  the  said  teachers 
from  acting  in  the  capacity  of  teachers  while  wearing  the  garb  of  said 
Order. 

"  And  it  is  also  dissolved  in  so  far  as  it  restrains  the  said  teachers 
from  permitting  the  pupils  to  address  them  by  the  title  of  '  sister  '  or  a 
visiting  priest  as  '  father.' 

"And  the  said  preliminary  injunction  is  made  perpetual  in  so  far 
as  it  restrains  the  defendants  from  permitting  the  use  of  the  catechisms  of 
the  Roman  Catholic  Church  as  books  of  instruction  in  said  public  school 
building  at  any  time,  whether  during  school  hours  or  otherwise,  and  from 
using  the  said  catechisms  for  said  purposes  therein,  and  from  giving  or 
permitting  any  religious  sectarian  instructions  therein  at  any  time,  and 
from  using  or  permitting  the  use  of  the  public  school  property  for  any 
other  than  free  common  school  education." 

The  opinion  of  Judge  Barker  being  quite  lengthy,  will  not  be 
noted  here,  only  so  far  as  to  show  the  main  ground  on  which  the 
Judge  based  his  reasons  for  denying  the  request  for  the  injunction. 
In  the  absence  of  statutory  enactments  bearing  especially  on  this 
point,  the  principal  question  was,  Whether  the  School  Directors 
violated  the  purpose  of  the  Constitution  in  employing  the  nuns, 
and  whether  the  "  sisters  "  in  the  garb  peculiar  to  their  Order  was 
in  violation  of  the  same  constitutional  enactment.  The  language 
of  the  Constitution  bearing  upon  this  question,  which  was  pre- 
sented to  the  Court  by  the  attorneys  for  the  plaintiffs  as  the  main 
point  of  their  contention,  reads  as  follows : 

"No  money  raised  for  the  support  of  the  public  schools  of  the  Com- 
monwealth shall  be  appropriated  to  or  used  for  the  support  of  any  sectarian 
school." 

The  question  at  issue,  therefore,  was  one  of  judicial  construc- 
tion of  that  language;  whether  or  not  it  warranted  the  restraining 
order  prayed  for.  Judge  Barker,  however,  saw  no  violation  of  this 
principle  of  the  Constitution  in  the  employment  of  the  nuns,  bas- 
ing his  opinion  on  the  fact  that  it  was  not  sufficiently  proven  that 
any  religious  instruction  was  given  during  school  hours  nor  was 
there  anything  to  show  that  there  had  been  any  religious  exercises 
conducted  during  same  time.     On  this  and  the  main  point  he  says : 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  26 1 

"We  conclude  as  to  this  branch  of  the  case,  that  in  the  absence  of 
proof  that  religious  sectarian  instruction  was  imparted  by  them  (the 
nuns)  during  school  hours,  or  religious  sectarian  exercises  engaged  in, 
we  cannot  restrain  by  injunction  members  of  the  Order  of  Sisters  of  St. 
Joseph  from  teaching  in  the  public  school  in  the  garb  of  their  Order,  aor 
the  School  Directors  from  employing  or  permitting  them  to  act  in  that 
capacity." 

However,  one  point  the  Junior  Order  gained,  and  that  was  that 
the  nuns  were  enjoined  from  using  the  school  building  either  before 
or  after  school  hours  or  at  any  time  in  imparting  Catholic  religious 
instruction  to  children  of  Catholic  parents  with  or  without  the 
request  of  said  parents,  this  being  in  the  opinion  of  the  Court  as 
using  school  property  for  sectarian  purposes. 

The  prosecution  of  this  case  up  to  this  point  cost  the  Order 
$2,039. OG,  the  Councils  having  contributed,  as  per  appeal  of  the 
State  Board  of  Officers,  $2,251.33.  The  case  was  at  once  appealed 
to  the  Supreme  Court  of  the  state,  and  ably  argued,  but  the  major- 
ity of  that  body  affirmed  the  decision  of  the  lower  court,  Justice 
Dean  writing  the  opinion,  the  main  portions  of  which  are  given 
below.  Excerpts  from  Justice  Williams,  who  dissented,  which,  in 
our  opinion,  appears  more  consistent  with  the  real  issue,  are  also 
given. 

DECISION    OF    SUPREME    COURT — CASE    OF    NUNS    TEACHING 
IN    PUBLIC    SCHOOLS 

As  stated  above,  Justice  Dean  wrote  the  majority  opinion  on 
the  appeal  from  the  decision  of  Judge  Barker  in  the  above  famous 
case  that  had  such  a  far-reaching  effect  upon  the  Order  and  the 
public  school  system  in  the  entire  Union.  Quoting  the  opinion 
of  the  lower  court  as  above  cited,  the  higher  court  adds  the 
following : 

"This  legal  conclusion  (Judge  Barker's)  is  reached  after  a  very 
able  and  impartial  opinion  in  which  the  facts  are  reviewed,  and  the  law 
on  the  case  fully  cited.  The  opinion  is  so  convincing,  that  it  seems  to  us, 
it  must  compel  the  assent  of  an  unprejudiced  mind,  whether  of  layman  or 
lawyer.  In  thus  expressing  our  full  accord  with  the  learned  President 
Judge  of  the  court  below,  we  intimate  no  opinion  as  to  the  wisdom  or 
unwisdom  of  the  action  of  the  School  Board  in  selecting  Catholic  teachers, 
members  of  an  exclusively  religious  Order.  In  this  matter  was  involved, 
solely,  the  exercise  of  discretion  by  the  Board  in  the  performance  of  an 
official  duty,  for  which  they  alone  are  responsible;  this  discretion  when  it 
does  not  transgress  the  law,  is  not  reviewable  by  this  or  any  other  court. 
When  a  teacher  of  good  moral  character  applies  for  a  school,  and  presents 
a  certificate  of  qualification  as  to  scholarship  and  aptness  to  teach,  that 
is  an  end  of  official  inquiry  into  the  action  of  the  Board  in  appointment, 
because  the  law  makes  no  further  inquisition  up  to  this  point." 


262  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

In  the  assignment  of  errors  of  the  lower  court  before  the 
higher  tribunal,  the  attorneys  for  the  Order  made  the  following 
strong  claim  which  the  higher  court  misconstrued  and  therefore 
lost  track  of  the  real  issue. 

"  The  Court  erred  in  finding  that  the  employment  of  the  Sisters  of 
St.  Joseph  as  teachers  in  the  public  schools  and  their  acting  as  such,  while 
wearing  the  distinctive  sectarian  garb,  crucifixes  and  rosaries  of  their 
Order  and  sect,  could  not  be  enjoined." 

Erroneously  assuming  that  any  effort  had  been  made  to  exclude 
these  teachers  on  account  of  their  religion,  and  that  the  Junior 
Order  claimed  that  their  religious  belief  disqualified  them  as  teach- 
ers, the  learned  judge  of  the  higher  tribunal,  in  reference  to  the 
above  assignment  of  error,  says : 

"  Unquestionably  these  women  were  Catholics,  strict  adherents  of 
that  faith,  believing  fully  in  its  distinctive  creed  and  doctrines,  but  this 
does  not  disqualify  them.  Our  Constitution  negatives  any  assertion  of 
incapacity  or  ineligibility  to  office  because  of  religious  belief.  Article  1 
of  the  Bill  of  Rights  declares,  'All  men  have  a  natural  and  indefeasible 
right  to  worship  God  according  to  the  dictates  of  their  conscience.  .  .  . 
No  human  authority  can  in  any  case  whatever  control  or  interfere  with  the 
rights  of  conscience.' 

"  If  by  law,  any  man  or  woman  can  be  excluded  from  public  office  or 
employment  because  he  or  she  is  a  Catholic,  that  is  a  palpable  violation  of 
the  spirit  of  the  Constitution;  for  there  can  be,  in  a  democracy,  no  higher 
penalty  imposed  upon  one  holding  to  particular  religious  belief,  than 
perpetual  exclusion  from  the  station  because  of  it.  Men  may  disqualify 
themselves  by  crime,  but  the  state  no  longer  disqualifies  because  of  religious 
belief.  We  cannot  now,  even  if  we  wanted  to,  in  view  of  our  law,  both 
fundamental  and  statutory,  go  back  a  century  or  two  to  a  darker  age, 
and  establish  a  religious  test  as  a  qualification  for  office.  In  this  case  the 
school  board  committed  no  unlawful  act  in  selecting  these  Catholic  women 
as  teachers,  because,  by  moral  character  and  certified  attainments,  they 
were  qualified,  and  their  religion  did  not  disqualify.  The  board  may  have 
found  that  because  of  their  previous  training  and  discipline  they  were 
specially  qualified  as  teachers,  just  as  Protestant  school  boards  sometimes 
think  the  graduates  of  particular  schools  or  colleges  make  the  best  teachers; 
but  there  is  no  proof  that  they  were  appointed  because  they  were  Catholics, 
in  preference  to  others  as  well  or  better  qualified,  but  not  members  of 
that  church." 

The  main  question  in  this  whole  controversy,  from  which  the 
courts  seem  to  get  away,  and  a  question  upon  which  a  clear  con- 
struction of  law  was  asked,  in  its  relation  to  the  Constitution,  was 
the  question  of  the  garb  worn  by  these  sisters  while  engaged  in 
their  public  school  work.  That  this  peculiar  apparel  or  insignia 
worn  by  these  nuns  was  sectarian  teaching,  was  the  contention  of 
the  Order,  but  both  lower  and  higher  courts  placed  a  different  con- 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  263 

structi on  upon  the  fact,  with  the  exception  of  Justice  Williams. 
The  Court  continues : 

"  But  it  is  further  argued  that  if  the  appointment  of  these  Cat  hoi  it- 
teachers  was  lawful,  they  ought  to  be  enjoined  from  appearing  in  the 
school  room  in  the  habit  of  their  Order.  It  may  be  conceded  that  the  dress 
and  crucifix  impart  at  once  knowledge  to  the  pupil  of  their  religious  belief 
and  society  membership  of  the  wearer.  But  is  this,  in  any  reasonable  sense 
of  the  word  sectarian  teaching,  which  the  law  prohibits?  The  religious 
belief  of  many  teachers  all  over  the  Commonwealth  is  indicated  by  their 
apparel.  Quakers  or  Friends,  Amish,  Dunkards  and  other  sects  wear  gar- 
ments which  at  once  disclose  their  membership  in  a  religious  sect.  .  .  . 
The  dress  is  but  the  announcement  of  the  fact  that  the  wearer  holds  a 
particular  religious  belief. 

"  Are  the  courts  to  decide  that  the  cut  of  a  man's  coat,  or  the  color 
of  a  woman's  gown,  is  sectarian  teaching,  because  they  indicate  sectarian 
belief?  If  so  then  they  can  be  called  to  go  further.  The  religion  of  the 
teacher  being  known,  a  pure  and  unselfish  life,  exhibiting  itself  in  tender- 
ness to  the  young,  and  helpfulness  for  the  suffering,  necessarily  tends  to 
promote  the  religion  of  the  man  or  woman  who  lives  it.  .  .  .  There- 
fore, irreproachable  conduct,  to  that  degree,  is  sectarian  teaching.  But 
shall  the  education  of  the  children  of  the  Commonwealth  be  entrusted 
only  to  those  men  and  women  who  are  destitute  of  any  religious  belief?" 

Referring  to  the  times  past  when  it  was  frequently  the  case 
that  ministers  were  selected  for  school  teachers,  and  that  they  wore 
a  distinctive  clerical  garb  in  the  presence  of  Catholic  children ;  that 
when  the  office  of  County  Superintendent  was  first  created  in  1854, 
in  many  counties  preachers  were  selected  for  that  office,  and  at  the 
time  of  the  writing  of  the  opinion,  the  Superintendent  of  Public 
Instruction  of  the  state  was  a  Protestant  preacher,  the  Court 
concludes : 

"  In  the  60  years  of  existence  of  our  school  system,  this  is  the  first 
time  this  Court  has  been  asked  to  decide,  as  a  matter  of  law,  that  it  is 
sectarian  teaching  for  a  devout  woman  to  appear  in  a  schoolroom  in  a 
neat  dress  peculiar  to  a  religious  organization  of  a  Church.  We  decline 
to  do  so;  the  law  does  not  so  say." 

THE  MINORITY  OPINION  OF  JUDGE  WILLIAMS 

Basing  our  judgment,  not  from  prejudice,  but  from  a  higher 
standard  of  what  we  conceive  the  meaning  of  the  Constitution  to 
be,  we  unhesitatingly  accept  the  opinion  of  Judge  Williams  in  plac- 
ing a  clearer  construction  on  the  law  than  that  of  the  majority  of 
the  Court.  After  assenting  to  the  proposition  that  teachers  should 
be  selected  for  their  fitness  rather  than  their  church  affiliations, 
the  learned  jurist  says: 


264  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

"  The  Constitution  and  laws  of  this  state  provide  for  open,  free 
schools  for  all  children  of  the  proper  age,  that  shall  be  secular  in  character, 
schools  in  which  the  conscience  of  the  sectarian  bias  of  both  parents  and 
children,  shall  be  respected  or  at  best  not  interfered  with.  Their  purpose 
is  to  provide  an  elementary  education  that  shall  help  fit  the  rising  gen- 
eration for  actual  business  and  duties  and  privileges  of  citizenship.  Is 
the  public  school  in  the  borough  of  Gallitzin  so  conducted? 

"  It  is  a  school  with  eight  apartments  and  has  a  separate  teacher 
for  each.  The  eight  teachers  are  members  of  the  same  church  or  sect. 
This  is  unusual,  but  not  unlawful.  Six  of  the  teachers  are  nuns  of  the 
Sisterhood  of  St.  Joseph.  They  have  renounced  the  world,  their  own 
domestic  relations,  and  their  family  names.  They  have  also  renounced 
their  property,  their  right  to  their  own  earnings,  and  the  direction  of 
their  own  lives,  and  bound  themselves  by  stern  vows  to  the  work  of  their 
ecclesiastical  superiors.  They  have  ceased  to  be  civilians  and  secular 
persons.  They  have  become  ecclesiastical  persons,  known  by  religious 
names,  and  devoted  to  religious  work. 

"  Among  the  methods  by  which  their  separation  from  the  world  is 
emphasized  and  their  renunciation  of  self  and  subjection  to  the  church  is 
proclaimed,  is  the  adoption  of  a  distinctly  religious  dress.  This  is  strik- 
ingly unlike  the  dress  of  their  sex,  whether  Catholic  or  Protestant.  Its 
use  at  all  times  and  in  all  places  is  obligatory.  They  are  forbidden  to 
modify  it.  Wherever  they  go  this  garb  proclaims  their  church,  their  Order 
and  their  separation  from  the  secular  world  as  plainly  as  a  herald  could 
do,  if  they  were  constantly  attended  by  such  a  person. 

"  The  question  presented  on  this  state  of  facts  is  whether  a  school 
that  is  filled  with  religious  or  ecclesiastical  persons  as  teachers,  who  come 
to  the  discharge  of  their  daily  duties  wearing  their  ecclesiastical  robes 
and  hung  about  with  the  rosaries  and  other  devises  peculiar  to  their  church 
and  Order,  is  not  necessarily  dominated  by  sectarian  influences  and 
obnoxious  to  the  spirit  of  the  constitutional  provisions  and  the  school 
laws. 

"  This  is  not  a  question  about  taste  or  fashion  in  dress,  nor  about 
color  or  cut  of  a  teacher's  clothing.  If  it  were  only  this  I  would  favor 
largest  liberty.  It  is  deeper  and  broader  than  this.  It  is  a  question  over 
the  true  intent  and  spirit  of  our  common  school  system  as  decided  in  the 
provisions  referred  to.  If  this  is  a  proper  administration  of  the  school 
laws  in  Gallitzin,  it  would  be  equally  so  in  every  other  school  district  of 
the  state;  and  if  every  common  school  was  presided  over  by  ecclesiastics, 
in  their  distinctive  ecclesiastical  robes,  supplying  pupils  with  copies  of 
their  church  catechism  on  application,  and  teaching  it  before  and  after 
school  hours  to  all  who  choose  to  reman  for  that  purpose,  it  seems  to  me 
very  plain  that  the  common  schools  tuould  cease  to  be  such  and  would 
become  to  all  practical  purposes  parochial  schools  of  the  church  whose 
ecclesiastics  presided  over  them.  Clergymen  sometimes  wear  on  the  streets 
a  coat  or  hat  that  affords  some  evidence  of  their  profession,  but  they  do 
not  appear  in  churchly  robes,  when  about  their  daily  work,  or  in  any 
garb  that  points  out  the  church  to  which  they  belong  or  the  creed  to  which 
they  adhere. 

"  But  these  six  teachers  in  Gallitzin  do  just  that.  They  wear  and 
must  wear,  at  all  times,  a  prescribed,  unchangeable  ecclesiastical  dress, 
which   was   plainly   intended   to   proclaim   their   non-secular   and   religious 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  265 

character,   their  particular  church  and  Order,  and   their  separation   from 

the  world.  They  came  into  the  schools  not  as  common  teachers  or  civilians, 
but  as  representatives  of  a  particular  Order  in  a  particular  church,  whose 
lives  have  been  dedicated  to  religious  work  under  the  direction  of  that 
church.  Now,  the  point  of  the  objection  is  not  that  their  religion  disquali- 
fies them.  It  does  not.  It  is  not  that  holding  an  ecclesiastical  position 
or  office  disqualifies— for  it  does  not.  It  is  the  introduction  into  the 
schools  as  teachers  of  persons  who  are  by  their  striking  and  distinctive 
ecclesiastical  robes  necessarily  and  constantly  asserting  their  membership 
in  a  particular  church  and  religious  Order  within  that  church,  and  the 
subjection  of  their  lives  to  the  direction  and  control  of  its  offices.     .     .     . 

"  The  common  schools  cannot  be  used  to  exalt  any  given  church  or 
sect  or  to  belittle  or  override  it;  but  they  should  be,  like  our  political 
institutions,  free  from  ecclesiastical  control  and  from  sectarian  tendencies. 
Is  the  public  school  at  Gallitzin  such  an  one?  The  Protestant  children 
of  that  borough  do  not  think  so.  Their  parents  do  not  think  so,  as  appears 
most  plainly  in  this  litigation.  The  Directors  evidently  do  not  think  so, 
for  they  repulsed  the  mothers,  who  came  to  them  to  beg  that  their  children 
might  be  put  in  a  department  not  presided  over  by  one  of  these  ecclesias- 
tical persons.  The  learned  judge  of  the  court  below  did  not  think  so,  foi 
he  enjoined  against  the  teaching  of  the  catechism  and  all  other  sectarian 
instruction,  but  he  left  the  ecclesiastics  in  charge.  .  .  .  They  direct 
the  studies  and  the  deportment  of  the  children  under  their  charge  as 
ecclesiastical  persons.  They  cannot  or  will  not  attend  teachers'  institutes. 
They  have  no  touch  with  those  engaged  in  the  same  pursuits  about 
them;  they  do  not  attend  public  examinations;  but  examined  in  the  seclu- 
sion of  the  '  Mother  House '  of  their  Order,  after  being  selected  by  the 
'  Sister  Superior,'  in  compliance  xoith  the  written  request  of  the  directors, 
they  come  to  their  work  as  a  religious  duty,  and  their  wages  pass,  under 
the  operations  of  their  vows,  into  the  treasury  of  the  Order. 

"  If  a  school  so  conducted  is  not  dominated  by  sectarian  influences, 
and  under  sectarian  control,  it  is  not  easy  to  see  how  it  could  be." 

We  have  quoted  largely  from  Justice  Williams'  opinion,  and 
have  italicised  those  portions  that  seem  to  be  clearly  consistent 
with  the  construction  the  Order  placed  upon  the  law.  However, 
the  State  Board  of  Officers,  through  the  State  Legislative  Com- 
mittee, with  the  approval  of  the  National  Legislative  Committee, 
drew  up  a  bill,  known  as  "  The  Smith  Eeligious  Garb  Bill  "  and 
had  it  presented  at  the  next  session  of  the  Legislature. 

THE  SMITH  RELIGIOUS  GARB  BILL 

"AN  ACT 

"  To  prevent  the  wearing  in  the  public  schools  of  this  Commonwealth  by 
any  of  the  teachers  thereof  of  any  dress,  insignia,  marks  or  emblems 
indicating  the  fact  that  such  teacher  is  an  adherent  or  member  of 
any  religious  order,  sect  or  denomination,  and  imposing  a  fine  upon 
the  board  of  directors  of  any  public  school  permitting  the  same. 


266  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

"  Whereas,  It  is  important  that  all  appearances  of  sectarianism 

should  be  avoided  in  the  administration  of  the  public  schools  of  this 

Commonwealth, 

"  Section  1.  Be  it  enacted  by  the  Senate  and  House  of  Representa- 
tives of  the  Commonwealth  of  Pennsylvania  in  General  Assembly  met,  and 
it  is  hereby  enacted  by  the  authority  of  the  same,  That  no  teacher  in  any 
public  school  of  this  Commonwealth  shall  wear  in  said  school  or  whilst 
in  the  performance  of  his  or  her  duty  as  such  teacher  any  dress,  mark, 
emblem  or  insignia  indicating  the  fact  that  such  teacher  is  a  member  or 
adherent  of  any  religious  order,  sect  or  denomination. 

"  Section  2.  That  in  case  of  violation  of  the  provisions  of  the  first 
section  of  this  act  by  any  teacher  employed  in  any  of  the  public  schools 
of  this  Commonwealth,  notice  of  which  having  been  previously  given  to  the 
school  board,  employing  such  teacher,  that  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  such 
school  board  to  permanently  suspend  such  teacher  for  employment  in  such 
school,  for  the  term  of  one  year,  and  in  case  of  a  second  offense  by  the 
same  teacher,  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  said  school  board  to  permanently 
disqualify  such  teacher  from  teaching  in  said  school,  and  any  public  school 
director  failing  to  comply  with  the  provisions  of  this  act,  shall  be  guilty 
of  a  misdemeanor,  and  shall  be  punishable  upon  conviction  of  the  first 
offense  by  a  fine  not  exceeding  one  hundred  dollars,  and  in  case  of  a  second 
conviction  of  the  violation  of  the  provisions  of  this  act,  the  offending 
school  director  shall  be  punished  by  a  fine  not  exceeding  one  hundred 
dollars,  and  shall  be  deprived  of  his  or  her  office  as  a  public  school 
director.  A  person  thus  twice  convicted  shall  not  be  eligible  to  appoint- 
ment or  election  as  a  director  of  any  public  school  in  this  state  within 
a  period  of  five  years  from  the  date  of  his  or  her  second  conviction." 

The  above  bill  was  drafted  by  direction  of  the  Junior  Order 
and  introduced  into  the  House  of  Eepresentatives  of  Pennsylvania 
early  in  the  session  of  1895,  by  Hon.  Eobert  Smith,  and  after  taking 
its  course,  there  being  several  hearings  before  the  Committee,  where 
the  bill  was  antagonized  by  its  opponents ;  and  while  some  of  the 
Eepresentatives  were  somewhat  "  shaky "  on  the  subject,  being 
placed  between  two  fires,  Catholic  and  anti-Catholic,  being  polit- 
ically opposed  to  the  bill,  the  Junior  Order  made  it  clear  to  the 
hesitating  Representatives  that  their  constituency  would  call  them 
to  account  for  failure  to  perforin  their  duty,  so  when  the  bill 
came  up  for  final  vote,  it  carried  by  a  sweeping  majority,  the  vote 
being  151  to  26.    It  also  passed  the  Senate  by  a  good  majority. 

The  opponents  of  the  measure  followed  the  bill  into  the  Execu- 
tive Department  and  used  every  persuasion  to  have  Governor  Hast- 
ings veto  same.  There  was  some  fear  that  he  could  not  withstand 
the  pressure  and  the  members  of  the  Order  awaited  his  decision  with 
great  interest.  A  public  hearing,  however,  was  arranged  before 
his  Excellency  on  June  2,  1895,  at  which  time  representatives  of  the 
Order  and  those  in  opposition  presented  the  merits  and  demerits  of 
the  bill.    At  this  hearing  the  Governor's  official  family  were  present, 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  26? 

some  of  whom  it  was  known  were  not  favorable  to  the  proposed 
law.  Among  those  present,  friendly  to  the  bill,  was  our  genial,  big- 
hearted  friend  and  fellow-patriot,  Brother  Dr.  W.  H.  Painter,  of 
Harrisburg,  Pa. 

Unfortunately,  the  legal  representatives  of  the  Order  repre- 
senting the  Board  of  Officers,  who  were  present  to  speak  in  favor  of 
the  bill,  failed  to  make  a  very  favorable  impression  upon  Governor 
Hastings  and  his  cabinet,  hence  after  the  labored,  and  in  a  sense 
sarcastic  speech  of  the  legal  gentleman  on  the  opposition,  the  fate 
of  the  measure  hung  in  a  balance.  At  this  juncture  the  Governor 
called  upon  Dr.  Painter  for  anything  he  might  want  to  add  in 
defense  of  the  bill.  Brother  Painter  has  always  been  an  enthusiastic 
Junior,  red-hot  in  defense  of  the  fundamental  principles  of  the 
Order  and  every  time  when  an  emergency  comes  he  stands  flat- 
footed  and  four-square  on  every  question,  even  to  the  sacrifice  of  his 
business  and  practice.  The  Doctor  did  not  take  any  urging,  but 
"  on  the  spur  of  the  moment  "  he  took  up  the  great  question  at  issue 
and,  as  has  been  remarked  by  those  who  were  present,  made  the 
speech  of  the  occasion.  The  writer  some  time  after  had  occasion 
to  call  upon  Governor  Hastings,  and  in  the  course  of  the  conversa- 
tion, the  Governor  brought  up  the  question  of  the  "  Garb  Bill " 
which  he  had  signed,  and  remarked  that  nothing  in  his  administra- 
tion had  given  him  more  satisfaction,  upon  which  he  would  look 
with  more  pride,  than  his  part  in  making  the  bill  a  law.  He  further 
stated  that  Dr.  Painter's  address  in  favor  of  the  measure,  more  than 
anything  else  brought  to  him  the  conviction  that  the  bill  was  meri- 
torious and  should  become  an  enactment  on  the  statute  books  of 
the  Commonwealth.  In  view  of  what  the  Governor  expressed,  we 
requested  Brother  Painter  to  write  out  as  much  as  he  could  recall 
of  that  address,  of  which  a  synopsis  might  be  given  in  this  con- 
nection. He  very  kindly  consented  and  we  have,  below,  a  portion 
of  the  speech  delivered  on  the  occasion.  He  was  interrupted  by 
those  present,  but  the  Doctor  was  ready  to  meet  every  question 
raised : 

DR.   PAINTER'S    ADDRESS 

"Most  Excellent  Governor  and  Gentlemen:  When  I  came  1  had  no 
idea  of  making  any  remarks  on  this  subject,  but  was  asked  to  accompany 
these  gentlemen  of  the  Order  and  show  by  my  presence  my  attitude  towards 
this  issue  before  you;  nor  have  I  any  authority  to  speak  for  the  organiza- 
tion these  gentlemen  represent.  But  what  I  will  say  will  be  said  as  a 
humble  citizen  of  this  grand  old  State,  a  man  of  a  family,  with  a  wife  and 
two  little  girls,  and  as  a  member  of  the  Junior  Order  of  United  American 
Mechanics. 


268  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

"  General  Reeder,  .Secretary  of  the  Commonwealth :  Your  organiza- 
tion upholds  the  reading  of  the  Bible  in  the  public  schools,  does  it  not? 

"  Dr.  Painter :     Yes  sir. 

"  General  Reeder :     Don't  you  think  that  teaches  sectarianism  ? 

"Dr.  Painter:  No,  sir.  I  am  surprised  that  a  man,  holding  the 
position  you  now  do,  should  ask  of  me,  a  humble  citizen,  a  question  of  this 
kind.     It  is  the  comments  upon  the  Bible  which  teaches  sectarianism. 

"  General  Reeder :  There  are  some  people  who  do  not  believe  in  the 
New  Testament,  for  instance,  the  Jews  who  send  their  children  to  the 
public  school.  Now  do  you  think  it  wise,  just  and  proper  for  a  teacher 
to  read  continuously  from  the  New  Testament  when  there  are  Jewish 
children  in  the  schools? 

"Dr.  Painter:  I  do  not  think  it  would  be  wise,  just  and  proper  to 
do  so,  but  to  read  occasionally  from  the  New  Testament. 

"General  Reeder:  On  the  other  hand  there  are  portions  of  the 
Bible  which  are  not  fit  to  be  read  in  the  hearing  of  children.  Do  you 
think  it  would  be  wise  and  proper  for  a  teacher  to  read  these  passages 
in  open  school ? 

"Dr.  Painter:  No  sir,  1  do  not;  but  I  would  like  to  ask  General 
Reeder  a  question. 

"  General  Reeder :      All   right. 

"Dr.  Painter:  How  long  would  a  teacher  in  your  district  teach 
school  if  he  or  she  would  read  those  passages  you  allude  to  in  open  school. 
Would  you  not  consider  them  unfit  to  teach,  and  would  you  not  have 
them  removed?  On  the  other  hand,  do  you  have  those  passages  obliterated 
from  your  family  Bible  lying  on  the  center  table  in  your  parlor?  You 
have  read  those  passages,  and  I  have  read  them  and  the  Governor  has 
read  them.     Are  we  any  the  worse  for  reading  them? 

"  General  Reeder :     I  don't  know. 

"Assistant  State  Librarian,  Mr.  O'Reiley:  Doctor,  does  not  your 
Order  believe  and  is  it  not  your  own  personal  opinion,  that  there  are  no 
patriotic  Catholics? 

"  Dr.  Painter :  No  sir.  A  thought  of  that  kind  never  entered  my 
mind.  There  have  been  patriotic  Catholics,  and  those  who  may  doubt 
the  statement  should  look  up  the  record  of  the  "  Irish  Brigade  "  at  Gettys- 
burg; and  there  are  patriotic  Catholics  to-day  who  have  expressed  to  me 
the  desire  to  see  this  Garb  Bill  become  a  law.  But  my  dear  sir,  where 
it  tests  the  patriotism  of  Catholics  is  where  a  custom  like  this  confronts 
us,  where  apparently  there  is  a  conflict  between  Church  and  State  when 
they  will  show  that  they  are  either  good  Catholics  and  good  patriots  or 
poor  Catholics  and  poor  patriots." 

At  this  point  Dr.  Painter  protested  against  being  further  inter- 
rupted until  he  was  through  with  his  argument,  and  the  Governor 
told  him  to  proceed. 

"  I  need  only  to  call  your  attention,  in  a  casual  way,  as  to  why 
this  bill  was  framed  and  is  now  before  you.  Early  in  the  year  1894,  in 
the  Thirty-fourth  ward  of  Pittsburg,  a  parochial  school  was  moved  into 
one  of  the  public  buildings  in  a  body  and  nuns  were  elected  as  teachers 
in  said  school,  which  was  brought  to  the  attention  of  the  Junior  Order 
of   United   American   Mechanics,   whereupon   legal   proceedings   were   insti- 


UNITED  AMERICAN   MECHANICS  269 

tuted  to  restrain  the  Directors  from  so  using  the  building  and  paying  for 
sectarian  purposes  the  sisters  of  the  Catholic  Church  dressed  in  their 
garb  peculiar  to  their  distinctive  Order.  The  local  priest,  however,  would 
not  stand  a  court  proceeding,  therefore  removed  his  children  back  to  the 
parochial  school  building.  The  attention  of  the  State  Councilor  was  then 
called  to  the  situation  at  Gallitzin  where  the  nuns,  in  their  garb  peculiar 
to  the  Order  of  Sisterhood  of  St.  Joseph,  were  teachers  in  the  public  schools 
and  the  Catholic  priest  was  a  frequent  visitor.  When  the  priest  came 
into  the  schoolroom  the  children  were  told  to  rise  and  say  '  Good  morning, 
father,'  and  on  retiring  to  say  '  Good  day,  father ;  come  again,'  while  the 
nuns  asked  that  they  be  addressed  as  '  sister.'  The  officers  of  our  Order 
proceeded  in  a  legal  way  in  the  county  court  for  a  perpetual  injunction 
restraining  the  nuns  in  their  garb  from  teaching  in  the  schools ;  but  owing 
to  the  absence  of  adequate  legislation,  the  lower  court  refused  the  injunc- 
tion, whereupon  the  case  was  appealed  to  the  Supreme  Court,  but  the 
majority  of  that  tribunal  affirmed  the  court  below.  Following  the  sug- 
gestions of  our  legal  advisors,  a  bill  of  a  general  character  bearing  on 
the  subject  was  framed  and  was  passed  by  the  Legislature,  which  bill  is 
now  before  you. 

"  The  Jr.  0.  U.  A.  M.  is  an  organization  composed  of  those  who  have 
been  born  in  America,  and  are  banded  together  for  the  promotion  of  the 
cause  of  Virtue,  Liberty  and  Patriotism.  Mr.  Seiffert,  in  his  argument 
against  this  bill,  has  termed  the  Jr.  O.  U.  A.  M.  and  like  patriotic  organi- 
zations, '  brayers  of  patriotism  '  so  far  as  the  majority  of  them  at  this 
day  are  concerned.  I  admit,  in  a  sense,  that  we  are  '  brayers  of  patriotism,' 
a.1?  we  have  had  no  opportunity  to  show  our  zeal  for  our  country  in  a 
practical  way,  since  the  majority  of  us  were  too  young  during  the  time 
of  the  Civil  War  to  go  to  the  front  and  no  opportunity  has  since  presented 
itself.  But  in  defense  of  our  Order,  I  would  remark  that  when  the  Rebel- 
lion broke  out  there  were  but  a  few  Councils  in  existence,  but  true  to  their 
pledge,  almost  to  a  man  the  members  enlisted  and  virtually  broke  up  the 
Councils,  many  of  them  suspending  meetings  until  after  the  war  when 
those  who  returned  opened  up  business  at  the  old  stand.  To-day  we 
stand  second  in  the  state  in  numbers  of  any  fraternal  organization,  the 
I.  0.  O.  F.  standing  first.  Mr.  Seiffert  has  said  that  if  the  country  needed 
their  services,  the  Junior  Mechanics,  being  '  wreighed  in  a  balance  '  would 
be  '  found  wanting.'  I  want  to  say  right  here  and  now,  that  you  will 
never  write  '  mene,  mene,  tekel,  uphaksin,'  '  weighed  in  the  balance  and 
found  wanting.'  I  have  never  had  any  military  experience,  but  I  believe 
that  I  might  be  able  to  face  the  cannon's  mouth  without  fear  should  my 
country  be  in  danger. 

"  But  in  addition  to  our  'braying,'  Mr.  Governor,  we  are  workers. 
Notwithstanding  the  '  braying '  of  the  gentleman  from  Lancaster  during 
the  session  of  the  Legislature  against  this  bill,  it  passed  both  branches 
with  a  phenomenal  majority,  and  he  is  here  to-day  before  you.  And  what 
will  his  'braying'  amount  to?  Just  as  much,  1  predict,  as  that  animal 
amounts  to  that  is  noted  for  its  braying:  and  as  for  you,  Mr.  Seiffert,  I 
promise  you  at  the  next  election  the  opportunity  to  stay  at  home  by  the 
largest  majority  any  man  in  Lancaster  county  ever  had  against  him. 
Mr.  Seiffert  says  that  he  represents  a  constituency  of  50,000  voters,  which 
is  an  over-estimate,  and  well  he  knows  it.  I  represent  a  constituency  of 
500,000  voters.     The  phenomenal   majority  you  received,  Mr.  Governor,  a 


270  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

majority  never  reached  by  any  Governor  that  preceded  you  and  greater, 
possibly,  than  any  shall  receive  in  the  future,  unless  the  millennium 
comes,  when  all  will  be  of  one  mind,  was  due  to  your  patriotic  declara- 
tions in  York  and  Allegheny  counties,  when  you  raised  a  miniature  school- 
house  with  a  flag  on  top  of  it  in  one  hand  and  the  open  Bible  in  the  other, 
and  raising  them  above  your  head,  you  exclaimed:  'Fellow-citizens  of 
York  County,  fellow-citizens  of  Allegheny  County,  this  is  where  I  stand 
on  the  school  question.'  The  result  was  the  250,000  majority  you  received. 
The  Jr.  O.  U.  A.  M.  and  similar  patriotic  societies  as  well  as  all  broad- 
minded  men  voted  for  you.  And  should  this  measure  not  become  a  law, 
these  thousands  of  voters  will  rise  up  in  unity  and  protest  against  tliis 
wrong  that  is  being  perpetrated  upon  a  free  people,  and  then  employ  all 
fair  means  to  prevent  sectarianism  entering  our  public  schools. 

"  I  claim,  Mr.  Governor,  that  a  Catholic,  Jew  or  Gentile,  Methodist, 
Presbyterian  or  Lutheran,  should  have  equal  privileges.  All  are  equal 
under  our  Constitution  which  is  broad  enough  for  us  all,  therefore  I  claim 
that  a  Protestant  living  in  a  strong  Catholic  community  like  Gallitzin, 
should  have  all  the  rights  and  privileges  that  a  Catholic  enjoys  and  the 
same  should  hold  good  in  that  community  as  in  this  state  where  a  Methodist 
school-teacher  insisted  on  holding  revival  services  and  having  his  pupils 
tell  their  experiences,  which  was  restrained  by  legal  proceedings  insti- 
tuted by  this  Order.  We  claim  that  the  situation  at  Gallitzin  was  equally 
wrong. 

"  Now,  Mr.  Governor,  and  honorable  gentlemen,  if  this  Garb  Bill 
becomes  a  law  the  nuns  will  not  be  allowed  to  teach  school  in  their  garb, 
but  the  Mennonites,  Dunkards,  Amish  and  Quakers  will  go  on  as  before, 
notwithstanding  Mr.  Seiffert  claims  that  this  bill  will  restrain  these  people 
from  teaching  in  the  public  school.  There  is  a  difference  between  a  garb 
and  a  custom.  You  can  recognize  Mrs.  Brown,  Mennonite,  from  Mrs. 
Smith,  Mennonite,  as  far  as  you  can  see  them,  but  you  can  not  recognize 
Sister  Agnes  from  Sister  Maria.  There  is  just  as  much  difference  between 
a  custom  and  a  garb  as  there  is  in  your  way  of  wearing  a  necktie  from 
other  men — that  is  your  style  and  this  is  mine. 

"  As  an  organization,  the  Jr.  O.  U.  A.  M.  is  founded  upon  the  Consti- 
tution that  guarantees  to  every  man  the  right  to  worship  God  according 
to  the  dictates  of  his  own  conscience,  and  wherever  this  principle  is  vio- 
lated against  whatever  sect  or  denomination,  this  patriotic  Order  will 
defend  such  sect  or  denomination  and  assist  them  in  the  exercise  of  their 
unalienable  rights  and  privileges. 

"  In  conclusion,  Mr.  Governor,  in  behalf  of  this  bill,  I  would  say 
that  it  is  general  in  character  and  was  framed  by  one  of  the  most  learned 
constitutional  lawyers  in  the  country.  It  has  been  scrutinized  by  members 
of  the  House  and  Senate,  and  is  now  before  you  for  your  signature  and 
I  feel  confident  that  you  will  exercise  that  wisdom  which  has  characterized 
your  administration  in  the  past,  ever  looking  to  the  greatest  good  to  the 
greatest  number  so  long  as  it  is  right." 

The  anxiety  arising  from  the  threatened  veto  of  the  bill  by 
Governor  Hastings,  led  Past  National  Eepresentative  0.  S.  Weiss, 
the  Nestor  of  Wilkes-Barre,  a  wide-awake  Junior  and  a  true-bin c 
patriot,  to  seek  the  aid  of  Colonel  Ashcr  Miner,  of  same  city,  Gen- 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  271 

cral  Inspector  of  "Rifle  Practice  in  the  National  Guard.  Colonel 
Miner  very  readily  agreed  to  exert  his  influence  with  the  Governor 
and  telegraphed  the  Executive  to  hold  the  bill  until  he  could  have 
a  conference  with  him.  The  Colonel  had  the  conference  with  the 
Governor,  going  to  Harrisburg  especially  for  the  purpose,  and  the 
same  day  or  day  after  the  bill  was  signed.  While  no  one  knows 
how  much  Colonel  Miner,  not  a  Junior,  had  to  do  with  the  final 
decision  of  Governor  Hastings,  the  Order  very  much  appreciated 
the  kindness  of  the  Colonel  for  his  willingness  to  assist  in  bringing 
about  the  desired  statute. 

After  a  full  consideration  of  the  measure,  Governor  Hastings 
attached  his  signature  to  the  bill  June  27,  1895,  whereupon  that 
which  had  been  so  persistently  fought  for  by  the  Order,  became  a 
law  and  ever  since  has  been  looked  upon  with  a  sense  of  patriotic 
pride  by  the  fraternity. 

farr's  compulsory  education  bill 

This  important  legislative  enactment  by  the  Pennsylvania 
Legislature  at  its  session  of  1895  and  approved  by  the  Governor, 
May  16,  1895,  had  for  its  title: 

"  To  provide  for  the  attendance  of  children  in  the  schools  of  this 
Commonwealth  and  making  an  enumeration  of  children  for  that  purpose, 
also  providing  compensation  for  the  assessors  making  the  enumeration 
and  providing  penalties  for  violation  of  this  act." 

The  requirements  of  the  act  made  it  mandatory  upon  parents 
and  others  having  children  under  their  charge  between  the  ages 
of  6  and  13  years  to  send  them  to  school  in  which  the  common 
English  branches  were  taught  at  least  16  weeks  of  the  year,  unless 
excused  by  satisfactory  evidence  that  the  child  was  mentally  or 
physically  incapacitated.  The  provision  did  not  include  children 
whose  residence  from  the  school  was  over  two  miles.  For  neglect 
to  abide  by  the  provisions  of  the  bill,  the  penalty  affixed  was  a  fine 
of  $2  for  first  offense  and  $5  for  every  subsequent  offense. 

The  third  section  of  the  bill,  if  found  necessary,  provided  for 
"  attendance  officers  "  sometimes  called  "  truant  officers  "  whose 
duty  was  to  see  that  the  law  was  not  violated  and  to  apprehend 
truants  and  place  them  in  their  respective  schools.  The  fourth 
section  required  the  assessors  in  the  spring  registration  to  make  a 
list  of  all  the  children  between  the  ages  of  6  and  13  years,  giving 
their  names,  age  and  residence,  etc. 

Similar  bills  had  passed  the  legislature  in  1891  and  1893,  but 
in  quite  lengthy  opinions,  Governor  Pattison  refused  to  affix  his 


272  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

signature  to  same.     Governor  Hastings  at  the  time  of  the  signing 
of  this  bill  had  this  to  add : 

"  By  giving  my  approval  to  this  measure,  there  will  appear  upon  our 
statute  books  for  the  first  time  in  the  history  of  this  Commonwealth  a 
compulsory  educational  law.  The  General  Assembly  in  the  sessions  of 
1891  and  1893  passed  a  compulsory  educational  act  somewhat  similar  to 
the  present  measure,  each  of  which  met  with  the  Executive  disapproval. 
There  appears  to  be  throughout  the  Commonwealth  a  general  desire  for 
such  a  law.  I  have  not  received  a  single  protest  from  any  citizen  against 
this  bill  that  I  recall.  The  unanimity  by  which  it  was  passed  by  the 
Legislature  as  well  as  the  large  number  of  requests  made  upon  me  to 
sign  it,  clearly  indicates  the  general  desire  on  the  part  of  the  people  for 
a  compulsory  educational  law.  Under  these  conditions,  I  am  convinced 
that  I  should  not  obtrude  any  individual  judgment  which  I  may  have 
on  the  question  of  public  policy.  This  measure  provides  for  compulsory 
education  in  perhaps  the  least  objectionable  form  to  those  who  oppose  it 
on  principle,  and  offends  as  little  against  the  personal  rights  of  the  citizen 
as  possible.  I,  therefore,  approve  the  bill,  but,  if  by  experience  the  expec- 
tations of  the  people  are  not  realized,  future  legislation  doubtless  will 
meet  their  demands." 

The  possibility  of  future  legislation  as  referred  to  by  the 
Governor  was  soon  realized,  as  at  the  next  session  Eepresentative 
Thomas  J.  Ford,  himself  a  Junior,  offered  amendments  to  the  exist- 
ing act  providing  more  stringent  regulations.  The  amendments 
increased  the  age  from  13  to  16  years  and  made  certain  exemptions, 
subjecting  principals  and  teachers  to  certain  penalties,  conferring 
on  the  directors  controlling  power  to  designate  schools  for  those 
who  fail  to  attend  school,  to  establish  special  schools  for  truants,  etc. 

The  writer  at  the  time  was  the  State  Councilor  of  Pennsyl- 
vania, and  had  opportunity  to  come  in  touch  with  the  members  of 
the  Legislature  as  well  as  Governor  Hastings.  Under  date  of  June 
25,  1897,  we  wrote  the  Governor  in  behalf  of  the  bill,  and  under 
date  of  July  12,  a  reply  was  sent  from  the  Executive  office  stating 
that  on  that  day  the  Governor  had  approved  the  measure. 

It  was  still  found  that  the  original  act  with  its  amendments 
did  not  solve  the  problems.  Under  the  direction  of  the  State  Legis- 
lative Committee  of  which  Brother  Cyrus  S.  Weiss  was  Chairman, 
a  new  bill,  more  comprehensive  in  its  character,  was  passed,  the 
same  act  repealing  the  law  of  1895  and  the  amendments  of  1897. 
This  bill  was  signed  by  Governor  Stone  July  11,  1901. 

During  that  great  session  of  1895  when  the  Junior  Order  was 
so  much  in  evidence  at  the  State  Capital  in  the  interest  of  legis- 
lation, having  its  Legislative  Committee  on  the  ground  all  the  time, 
besides  the  passage  of  the  Garb  Bill  and  Compulsory  Educational 
Bill,  two  other  bills  were  passed. 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  273 

1.  The  Nickell  Anti-alien  Bill.  This  bill  provided  that  none 
but  citizens  of  the  United  States  should  be  employed  in  any  capacity 
in  the  erection,  enlargement  or  improvement  of  any  public  building 
or  public  work  within  the  state. 

2.  The  Flag  Bill.  This  act  provided  that  no  flag  but  the  Stars 
and  Stripes  should  be  allowed  to  wave  from  any  public  building 
of  the  state  and  that  no  red  flag  representing  anarchy  should  be 
carried  in  public  processions. 

A  bill  was  introduced  in  same  Legislature  by  request  of  the 
Order  requiring  School  Directors  to  purchase  and  have  placed  over 
all  public  school  buildings  in  the  state  the  American  Flag  to  be 
made  from  American  bunting,  manufactured  from  American  wool, 
grown  by  American  workmen  together  with  a  flag  staff  made  from 
American  lumber,  but  the  peculiar  construction  of  the  wording 
doomed  it  to  defeat. 

A  bill  requiring  taxation  of  aliens  also  was  defeated. 

OTHER  PENNSYLVANIA  LEGISLATION 

At  the  session  of  the  Legislature  of  1897  several  measures  were 
introduced  at  the  instance  of  the  State  Legislative  Committee,  some 
of  which  became  laws.    Among  these  were  the  following : 

1.  An  Act  to  Protect  the  American  Flag  from  Insult  and  Degradation. 
This  act  applied  to  private  and  public  buildings  and  highways  and  passed 
with  but  little  opposition,  and  the  same  became  a  law. 

2.  An  Act  to  Provide  and  to  Display  the  United  States  Flag  in  Con- 
nection with  the  Public  School  Buildings. 

As  first  drawn,  the  bill  made  the  same  mandatory,  but  at  the 
suggestion  of  the  Committee  of  the  Legislature,  the  word  "  may  " 
was  substituted  for  "  shall,"  believing  that  a  patriotic  people  would 
live  up  to  its  provisions. 

3.  To  Extend  the  Minimum  School  Term  to  Seven  Months.  This 
meritorious  legislation  was,  however,  defeated  by  92  ayes  to  78  nays,  there 
being  less  than  a  constitutional  majority,  103. 

4.  An  effort  was  made  to  reduce  the  School  appropriation  from 
$5,500,000  to  $5,000,000,  but  as  State  Councilor,  we  called  the  attention 
to  the  danger  of  the  "  cut "  and  through  an  energetic  Legislative  Com- 
mittee, having  Brother  A.  H.  Leslie  as  its  Chairman,  the  purpose  was 
defeated. 

5.  As  referred  to  before,  amendments  to  the  Compulsory  Educa- 
tional Act  of  1895  were  made,  making  that  measure  more  stringent  and 
increasing  the  age  of  the  child  from  13  to  16  years,  with  other  changes  or 
additions  to  render  the  Act  more  effective. 

6.  An  Act  relative  to  the  Indebtedness  of  School  Districts.  This 
became  a  law. 

18 


274  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

7.  Other  acts  as  follows  along  the  line  of  Education  were  supported 
by  the  Committee  and  became  laws:  (1)  Aid  to  Free  Libraries.  (2)  Free 
Kindergartens.  (3)  Abolishing  independent  School  Districts.  (4)  Pro- 
tection of  Schoolhouses,  etc.  (5)  Providing  for  School  and  Building  Tax. 
(6)  Free  Public  Libraries.  (7)  Relating  to  Special  School  Tax.  (8) 
Pupils  to  be  allowed  the  use  of  School  Books  during  Vacation.  (9)  Author- 
ization of  12,000  additional  School  Laws  and  Decisions.  (10)  Transpor- 
tation of  Children  to  the  School  at  the  Expense  of  the  District.  (11) 
Authorizing  the  Employment  of  teachers  in  the  Public  Schools  to  teach 
Stenography  and  Typewriting.  (12)  To  Decrease  the  number  of  School 
Directors  in  Wards  and  Boroughs.  (13)  Requiring  Tax  Collectors  to 
make  Monthly  Returns  of  Tax. 

Besides  the  above  acts  that  became  laws  in  which  the*  Order 
was  more  or  less  active  in  having  passed,  two  other  meritorious 
acts  were  placed  on  the  statute  books  of  the  state  by  the  direct 
influence  of  this  powerful  organization  that  seemed  to  get  what 
they  asked  for  from  the  hands  of  the  Legislature,  of  which  body 
more  than  50  were  members  of  the  Order.  The  first  of  these  two 
bills  was: 

THE    FOCHT    BILL 

The  title  of  this  bill  was  as  follows : 

"  Providing  for  the  return  of  Paupers  and  indigent  Insane  persons 
not  having  a  legal  settlement  within  this  Commonwealth  to  any  state  or 
country  to  which  they  belong." 

By  a  concurrent  resolution,  passed  at  the  session  of  the  Legis- 
lature in  1895,  a  Committee  was  appointed  to  investigate  the  public 
institutions  of  the  state  with  a  view  of  ascertaining  the  number  of 
aliens  quartered  upon  the  Commonwealth.  The  report  of  this 
Committee  was  intensely  startling  and  stirred  the  entire  state,  and 
at  once  the  State  Legislative  Committee  of  the  Order  came  in  defense 
of  the  proposed  legislation.  In  a  report  covering  700  closely  type- 
written pages  the  story  was  told.  In  the  summary,  the  Committee 
of  the  Legislature  declared  that  there  were  fully  20,000  such  aliens 
thrown  upon  the  state,  costing  the  Commonwealth  over  one  million 
five  hundred  thousand  dollars,  per  annum. 

This  bill  was  passed  by  both  branches  of  the  Legislature  with- 
out a  dissenting  vote,  and  became  a  law  by  the  signature  of  Gover- 
nor Hastings  June  22,  1897. 

THE    ALIEN    TAX    BILL 

The  title  of  this  act  was  as  follows : 

"  Regulating  the  employment  of  foreign-born  unnaturalized  male 
persons  over  21  years  of  age  and  providing  a  tax  on  the  employers  of 
such  persons  and  prescribing  a  penalty  for  violation  of  the  provisions  of 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  275 

said  act,  and  directing  the  manner  of  collecting  the  same  and  providing 
that  the  amount  of  such  tax  may  be  deducted  from  the  wages  of  persons 
affected  by  the  provisions  thereof." 

This  bill  was  introduced  by  Hon.  G.  W.  Campbell,  an  enthu- 
siastic Junior,  and  passed  by  a  large  majority  and  became  a  law, 
but  was,  subsequently,  declared  unconstitutional  by  the  Courts. 

Being  the  chief  executive  of  the  Order  of  the  state  in  that 
memorable  year  when  so  much  legislation  along  the  lines  of  the  or- 
ganization was  obtained,  as  above  referred  to,  not  a  single  bill  (with 
one  exception)  "  fathered "  by  the  Junior  Order  being  defeated 
either  in  the  Legislative  body  or  by  the  veto  of  the  Governor,  the 
writer  has  a  sense  of  self-congratulation  over  the  results  occurring 
under  his  administration.  But  it  must  not  be  supposed  that  in  any 
sense  we  take  to  ourselves  the  credit  for  these  signal  victories 
achieved  for  the  glory  of  the  Order ;  not  by  any  means.  The  Order 
was  specially  fortunate  in  having  a  Legislative  Committee,  by  our 
appointment,  of  such  high  character  and  wide  influence.  It  con- 
sisted of  Brothers  A.  H.  Leslie,  now  P.  S.  C,  and  one  of  the  Board 
of  Trustees  of  the  National  Orphans'  Home,  P.  S.  C.  Frank  Cody, 
P.  S.  C.  S.  C.  Weadley,  W.  S.  Doebler  and  George  Eow.  It  was 
this  able  Committee,  without  the  spending  of  hundreds  of  dollars 
for  "sundries"  and  keeping  "open  house,"  that  characterized  the 
work  of  the  Committee  of  two  years  previous,  that  secured  to  the 
state  and  the  Order  legislation  that  has  been  a  credit  and  a  blessing 
to  the  Commonwealth. 

STILL   MORE   PENNSYLVANIA   LEGISLATION 

The  Legislative  Committee  of  the  State  Council  in  the  session 
of  the  Legislature  of  1899,  supported  the  following  bills,  all  in  the 
interest  of  one  of  the  cherished  Objects  of  the  Order,  that  of  popu- 
lar education,  and  every  one  passed  both  branches  of  the  General 
Assembly  and  were  approved  by  Governor  Stone:  • 

1.  To  Extend  the  Minimum  School  Term  to  Seven  Months. 

2.  To  empower  the  Boards  of  School  Directors  of  townships  to  exer- 
cise the  powers  of  Boards  of  Health,  to  make  rules  and  regulations  to 
Prevent  the  spread  of  Contagious  Diseases,  etc. 

3.  To  Amend  an  act  for  the  Regulation  of  the  Common  Schools  as  to 
Distributing  the  School  Appropriations  to  the  Common  Schools. 

4.  To  Provide  for  the  payment  of  School  Directors  for  attending  the 
Biennial  Convention  for  the  Election  of  County  Superintendent,  etc. 

5.  To  Provide  for  the  Appointment  of  a  Free  Library  Commission. 


The  Order  in  the  state  was  represented  at  the  session  of  the 
General  Assembly  that  convened  January  1,  1901,  by  an  exceedingly 


276  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

strong  and  enthusiastic  Legislative  Committee,  viz.,  Past  National 
Representative  Cyrus  S.  Weiss,  P.  S.  C.  Dr.  M.  P.  Dickeson  and 
Hon.  Perry  A.  Gibson,  formerly  State  Senator.  This  Committee 
was  early  on  the  ground  with  several  measures  to  be  introduced  into 
the  Legislature,  and  to  aid  any  other  measures  that  were  in  harmony 
with  the  Objects  and  Principles  of  the  Order.  The  Committee  was 
assisted  by  an  auxiliary  committee,  composed  of  Hon.  George  J. 
Hartman,  of  Wm.  A.  Byars  Council,  Hon.  Chas.  F.  Heselbarth,  of 
Welcome  Council,  members  of  the  General  Assembly,  and  A.  D. 
Wilkin,  Esq.,  Dr.  W.  H.  Painter  and  Eev.  M.  D.  Lichliter,  the  last 
three  brothers  having  their  homes  at  the  time  in  the  Capital  City. 
Two  very  dangerous  bills  were  introduced  into  the  Legislature 
calculated  to  injure  all  secret  societies  which,  with  representatives 
of  other  secret  Orders,  was  fought  "  to  the  Queen's  taste  "  in  the 
Committee  in  several  hearings  in  which  contest  the  State  Legisla- 
tive Committee  of  the  Junior  Order  had  a  prominent  part  and 
handled  the  opposition  "  without  gloves."  The  following  were  the 
titles  of  the  obnoxious  bills  which  were  "  scotched "  and  finally 
killed  in  the  Committee:  The  Henderson  Bill  to  Investigate  Secret 
Societies,  and  the  bill  to  Eegulate  Secret  Societies. 

The  following  bills,  given  only  by  title,  were  supported  by  the 
Legislative  Committee  of  the  Order  and  all  passed  the  Legislature 
and  were  approved  by  Governor  Stone: 

1.  A  Compulsory  Educational  Law  providing  for  the  attendance  of 
children  in  the  public  schools.  This  act  took  the  place  of  the  former  act 
which  was  imperfect  and  provided  a  better  method  of  carrying  out  the  law, 
providing  a  forfeiture  of  the  State  Appropriation  if  the  provisions  of  said 
bill  were  not  carried  out. 

2.  Relating  to  the  Study  and  Practice  of  Physical  Culture  in  the 
Public  Schools. 

3.  To  Amend  an  Act  relative  to  the  Establishment  of  Kindergartens. 

4.  Making  an  appropriation  for  the  Public  Schools  of  the  State. 

5.  To  amend  an  Act  to  Provide  a  more  just  and  equitable  method  of 
Educational  Qualifications  of  School  Teachers,  to  entitle  them  to  a  Cer- 
tificate and  providing  that  no  certificate  be  granted  any  one  who  is  in  the 
habit  of  habitually  using,  as  a  beverage,  intoxicating  liquors  or  who 
habitually  takes  Opium. 

6.  For  the  Co-operation  of  School  Districts  and  Cities  of  the  Third 
Class  in  the  Establishment  of  Libraries. 

7.  Authorizing  the  Condemnation  of  Real  Estate  for  the  use  of 
State  Normal  Schools. 

8.  An  Act  for  the  Establishment  of  Free  Libraries  in  the  Public 
Schools,  in  Cities  of  the  First  and  Second  Class. 

9.  The  Establishment  of  Free  Libraries  in  the  School  Districts  with 
exception  of  Cities  of  First  and  Second  Class. 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  277 

10.  Relating  to  Night  Schools  for  the  Manual  Training  of  Children 
above  the  age  of  Twelve  Years. 

11.  To  Provide  for  the  Centralization  of  Township  Schools  and  to 
Provide  High  Schools. 

12.  An  Act  to  Acquire  Ground  for  a  Public  Park  at  Valley  Forge. 

An  effort  was  made  to  repeal  the  Minimum  School  Term  Act 
of  1899.  The  Legislative  Committee  was  quite  active  in  defeating 
the  purposes  of  those  opposed  to  the  Act  and  after  a  stiff  fight,  the 
bill  to  repeal  was  killed  by  a  motion  to  indefinitely  postpone  action 
thereon. 

The  Committee  protested  against  the  granting  of  appropria- 
tions for  Sectarian  Institutions,  all  of  them  Hospitals,  but  with 
partial  success,  the  Governor  cutting  the  amount  appropriated  in 
seven  instances. 

Brother  Cyrus  S.Weiss  again  was  Chairman  of  the  State  Legis- 
lative Committee  during  the  Legislature  of  1903,  with  whom 
was  associated  Brothers  Geo.  B.  Nesbitt  and  Wm.  C.  Graham. 
Some  very  efficient  legislation  was  secured  largely  through  the 
influence  of  the  Legislative  Committee.  They  protested  against 
the  appropriation  of  money  to  two  Eoman  Catholic  Institutions 
for  boys,  in  which  none  but  Catholics  were  permitted  to  enter,  and 
their  protests  were  heeded.  The  following,  backed  by  the  Com- 
mittee, passed  the  Assembly  and  became  laws: 

1.  An  Act  Regulating  the  Salary  of  School  Teachers  making  the 
Minimum  Salary  $35.00. 

2.  Making  an  Appropriation  of  $74,000  to  the  Commissioners  of 
Valley  Forge  Park. 

3.  Making  it  a  Misdemeanor  to  Unlawfully  Use  or  Wear  any  Insignia 
or  Button  of  any  Association,  Society,  or  Trade's  Union. 

The  most  important  measure  enacted  into  law  was  the  increase 
of  salary  for  school  teachers,  making  the  minimum  $35.00  a  month. 
The  opposition  to  the  bill  upon  the  part  of  the  Senate  where  it 
was  antagonized  by  the  farmer  or  Granger  element  of  the  state 
gave  the  Legislative  Committee  considerable  anxiety,  but  by  per- 
sistent appeal  on  the  part  of  the  members  of  the  Committee,  aided 
by  the  Superintendent  of  Public  Instruction,  Dr.  N.  C.  Schaeffer, 
the  meritorious  measure  finally  became  a  law.  While  the  Chairman 
of  the  Committee,  Brother  Weiss,  had  charge  of  the  campaign  from 
his  home,  Brother  Nesbitt,  the  Secretary,  was  frequently  on  the 
ground  at  Harrisburg  keeping  in  close  touch  wtih  the  bill,  and 
in  its  critical  hour  did  much  in  bringing  about  a  favorable  con- 


278  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

sideration  of  the  measure.  As  a  mark  of  appreciation  of  the 
splendid  work  accomplished  by  the  Committee  in  the  interest  of 
the  public  schools,  unsolicited,  Dr.  Schaeffer  sent  to  the  Secretary 
the  following  communication: 

"  Harrisbubg,  Pa.,  April  9,  1903. 

"  Mr.  George  B.  Nesbitt,  Sec'y  State  Legislative  Committee  Jr.  0.  U.  A.  M. 
"  Dear  Friend. — 

"  It  gives  me  pleasure  to  bear  testimony  to  the  important  service 
rendered  by  your  Committee  on  Legislation  to  the  cause  of  education 
during  the  session  of  the  legislature  now  drawing  to  a  close.  By  your 
efficient  help  bills  have  passed  the  House  and  Senate,  regulating  the  mini- 
mum salary  of  teachers,  furnishing  instruction  to  teachers  at  Summer 
Assemblies,  etc.  Moreover,  I  realize  your  important  services  in  preventing 
harmful  legislation.  Please  convey  to  the  members  of  your  organization 
my  thanks  for  their  efficient  help  in  securing  legislation  which  will  mark 
a  new  era  in  our  public  schools. 
"  With  best  wishes,  I  am 

"  Very  truly  yours, 

"  Nathan  C.  Schaeffer, 
"  State  Superintendent  of  Public  Instruction." 


Still  again  in  the  session  of  the  Legislature  of  1905,  the  "  Sage 
of  Wyoming,"  Brother  Weiss,  was  in  charge  of  the  Legislative  Com- 
mittee and  once  again  marshalled  his  forces  in  behalf  of  Public 
School  interests.  His  associates  on  the  Committee  were  Brothers 
F.  A.  Kopp  and  Prof.  A.  M.  Van  Tine,  the  latter  being  Secretary 
of  the  Committee  who  gave  much  attention  to  the  various  measures 
introduced  in  the  Legislature. 

The  following  bills  were  supported  by  the  Legislative  Com- 
mittee and  became  laws : 

1.  Permitting  children  living  in  Districts  where  there  is  no  high 
school,  to  attend  in  another  district  nearest  their  home. 

2.  A  supplement  to  an  act  to  sell  and  convey  any  school  property 
that  has  become  dilapidated  or  useless  for  school  purposes,  and  to  provide 
for  the  distribution  of  the  funds  accruing  from  such  sale. 

3.  To  provide  a  system  of  humane  education,  to  include  kind  treat- 
ment of  birds  and  animals,  in  our  public  schools. 

4.  Amendment  to  an  Act  relative  to  the  payment  of  Assessors. 

5.  To  amend  the  Act  for  Compulsory  Education,  section  1,  providing 
that  certificate  of  age  and  ability  to  read  and  write  the  English  language 
intelligently  be  issued  by  the  Superintendent  of  schools,  Notary  Public, 
Justice  of  the  Peace  or  any  other  person  duly  authorized  to  administer 
oaths,  in  cities  and  boroughs,  and  by  the  Secretary  of  the  School  Board 
in  rural  districts. 

6.  An  Act  for  the  purpose  of  governing  the  construction  of  public 
buildings  that  the  health,  sight,  and  comfort  of  all  pupils  may  be  properly 
protected. 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  279 

7.  To  provide  for  the  control,  administration  and  support  of  the 
common  schools  in  school  districts  of  the  first  class. 

8.  An  Act  regulating  Child  Labor  which  was  intended  to  strengthen 
the  Compulsory  Educational  Law. 

9.  To  provide  regulations  for  certain  kinds  of  labor  and  safety 
appliances  for  employees,  etc. 

10.  For  the  erection  of  a  Home  or  a  school  for  indigent  orphans  to 
be  called  the  Thaddeus  Stevens  Industrial  and  Reform  School,  in  which 
certain  branches  shall  be  taught. 

Two  measures  had  been  suggested  by  the  State  Council  at  the 
instance  of  Prof.  Van  Tine,  and  the  Legislative  Committee  was 
instructed  to  have  them  introduced  in  the  Legislature,  and  bills 
were  drafted  to  that  end.  One  of  the  bills  was  to  make  18  years 
the  minimum  age  for  a  teacher  in  the  public  schools  of  the  state. 
Before  the  bill  was  introduced,  as  the  result  of  a  conference  held, 
the  minimum  age  was  put  at  17.  Brother  Chas.  F.  Heselbarth 
introduced  the  bill,  had  it  reported  favorably  from  the  Committee 
and  it  passed  the  House  without  a  dissenting  vote,  but  was  killed 
in  the  Senate  Committee  on  Education. 

The  other  measure  proposed  was  the  marking  of  historical 
points  by  some  suitable  tablet  or  stone,  but  it  was  found  that  there 
was  a  disposition  to  ignore  the  measure  until  options  could  be 
secured  on  such  sites,  hence  nothing  more  was  done  to  bring  the 
matter  to  the  attention  of  the  Legislature. 


The  State  Council  was  represented  at  the  legislative  session  of 
the  General  Assembly  of  1907  by  an  equally  able  Legislative  Com- 
mittee, viz. :  Past  State  Councilor  B.  Frank  Myers,  National  Rep- 
resentative John  H.  Eby  and  H.  G.  T.  Miller.  More  than  a  score 
of  bills  along  the  line  of  the  principles  of  the  Order  were  cham- 
pioned by  the  Committee  and  were  placed  upon  the  statute  books 
of  the  state,  the  most  important  of  which  were  the  following : 

1.  To  establish   schools  for  adults,   including  foreigners. 

2.  Making  the  minimum  salary  for  school  teachers  $40.00  per  month. 

3.  To  establish  free  libraries  in  the  several  school  districts. 

4.  To  provide  for  an  equitable  distribution  of  the  school  appro- 
priation. 

5.  Important  amendments  to  the  compulsory  education  act. 

6.  The  acquisition  of  additional  ground  for  Valley  Forge  Park. 

Great  as  these  acts  were,  and  others  that  want  of  space  will 
not  permit,  still  the  great  achievement  of  the  Legislative  Com- 
mittee towards  which  they  bent  every  effort,  was  the  bill  raising 
the  appropriation  for  the  public  schools  of  the  state  for  two  years 
from  eleven  million  to  fifteen  million  dollars, — $4,000,000  increase 
for  popular  education. 


I.  HISTORY  OF  THE  NATIONAL  COUNCIL 


CHAPTER    XVIII 
i.  SESSIONS   OF   THE    NATIONAL    COUNCIL 

PRIOR  to  the  Revolution,  the  American  colonies,  while  they 
were  dependencies  of  the  British  crown,  were  independent 
of  each  other,  there  being  no  alliance  or  confederacy  among  them. 
The  Legislature  of  one  could  not  make  laws  for  another,  nor  confer 
privileges  to  be  enjoyed  by  another.  When  the  Revolution  broke 
out  in  the  colonies,  in  order  to  make  resistance  to  the  claims  of 
Great  Britain  more  formidable  as  well  as  successful,  harmony  and 
unity  of  action  and  operations  under  some  supreme  head  was  abso- 
lutely necessary.  Acting  upon  this  conviction,  the  Continental 
Congress  was  called,  which,  during  the  progress  of  the  war,  was 
de  facto  the  Supreme  Head  or  National  Government. 

But  it  was  obvious  to  reflecting  minds  that  the  union  thus 
formed  was  but  of  a  temporary  nature  and  could  be  dissolved  at 
any  time  by  any  one  of  the  states;  whereupon,  Articles  of  Con- 
federation were  agreed  upon  in  1777.  This  Confederation,  when 
adopted  in  1781,  was  seen  to  contain  many  defects,  and  it  was 
clear  to  American  statesmen  that  the  Congress  of  the  states  was 
not  a  supreme  body;  not  even  having  power  to  levy  and  collect 
taxes,  that  duty  belonging  to  the  separate  states.  The  result  of 
this  defect  soon  penetrated  the  Confederacy  and  nearly  brought 
ruin  to  the  fruits  of  a  long  and  bloody  war.  That  the  union  of 
states  would  dissolve  of  its  own  accord,  through  jealousies,  if  this 
condition  of  government  would  be  continued,  was  apparent  to  the 
statesmen  of  that  day,  hence  steps  were  taken  to  prevent  their 
dissolution.  A  call  was  sent  out,  through  Congress,  to  the  thirteen 
states  for  a  Constitutional  Convention,  whereupon  delegates  were 
elected  by  the  several  states,  and  the  Convention  convened  in  1787. 
The  greatest  men  of  the  American  states  sat  in  that  Convention, 
and  after  weeks  of  discussion,  the  American  Constitution  was 
framed  and  sent  to  the  several  states  for  adoption,  and  when  nine 
states  had  ratified  it,  the  first  Constitutional  Government  the  world 
ever  saw  was  launched.  This  Constitution  became  the  supreme 
law  of  the  Republic  and  Congress  the  supreme  legislative  body. 
280 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  281 

The  first  Council  of  the  Jr.  0.  U.  A.  M.  was  instituted,  as  else- 
where stated,  in  1853,  and  according  to  a  provision  in  its  charter, 
Washington  Council,  No.  1,  of  Pennsylvania,  was  the  Supreme 
Head  of  the  Order  until  1860,  when  by  the  union  of  other  Councils, 
the  State  Council  of  Pennsylvania  was  formed.  The  State  Council 
of  Pennsylvania,  for  years,  was  the  Supreme  Head  of  the  Order, 
until  State  Councils  were  organized  in  New  Jersey  and  Delaware, 
when,  de  facto,  there  was  no  supreme  head — no  bond  of  union — 
each  state  legislating  after  its  own  fashion.  As  in  the  Colonial 
government,  it  was  clearly  apparent  to  the  leaders  of  the  Order 
that  there  could  be  no  unity  or  harmony  between  the  different  State 
Councils,  hence  delegates  were  sent  by  the  three  State  Councils, 
above  named,  and  in  Philadelphia,  September  30,  1869,  was  created 
the  National  Council,  Junior  Order  United  American  Mechanics 
of  the  United  States  of  North  America,  which  became  and  has 
continued  down  the  years,  and  was  declared  by  the  Supreme  Court 
of  Pennsylvania  to  be  the  Supreme  Head  of  the  Order,  having  the 
right  to  grant  charters  for  State  Councils,  levy  per  capita  tax,  make 
laws  and  legislate  for  the  entire  Order  throughout  the  jurisdiction 
of  the  United  States. 

INSTITUTION   OF  THE   NATIONAL   COUNCIL 

The  following  delegates  met  in  Philadelphia,  Sept.  30,  1869 : 

Pennsylvania:  Edward  S.  Deemeb,  John  W.  Calveb,  John  D.  Goff, 
Jas.  P.  P.  Bkown  and  G.  W.  R.  Carteret. 

New  Jersey:  Jos.  H.  Shinn,  Ogden  Laning,  John  H.  Gress  and  C. 
Westcott. 

Delaware:    Wm.  H.  Killiam,  John  P.  Edwards,  William  Crossley, 
F.  Ball  and  J.  Scanlon. 

The  Convention  was  called  to  order  by  Wm.  H.  Killiam,  of 
Delaware,  whereupon,  Jos.  H.  Shinn,  of  New  Jersey,  was  selected  to 
act  as  Secretary.  The  first  order  of  business  was  the  appointment 
of  a  Committee  on  Constitution,  with  Brother  John  W.  Calver  as 
Chairman,  which  Committee,  after  a  short  consultation,  reported 
in  favor  of  the  Constitution  of  the  0.  U.  A.  M.,  with  such  amend- 
ments so  as  to  adapt  it  to  the  new  organization,  which  was  adopted. 

The  following  officers  were  elected : 

National  Councilor — John  W.  Calver,  of  Pennsylvania, 
National  Vice-Councilor — John   H.   Gress,  of  New  Jersey, 
National  Secretary — Edw.  S.  Deemer,  of  Pennsylvania, 
National  Treasurer — J.  P.   Edwards,  of  Delaware, 
National  Marshal — John  D.  Goff,  of  Pennsylvania, 
National  Protector — Jas.  P.  P.  Brown,  of  Pennsylvania. 
National  Doorkeeper — C.   Westcott,  of   New  Jersey. 


282  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

Brothers  Calver  and  Deemer  were  elected  by  acclamation,  a 
high  tribute  paid  to  two  of  the  most  active  and  conspicuous  members 
of  the  fraternity. 

The  first  bill,  and  the  only  one  in  this  preliminary  meeting, 
referred  to  the  Finance  Committee,  was  for  rent  of  hall,  viz.: 
One  dollar.    Surely  those  were  the  days  of  small  things — financially. 

A  special  session  of  the  National  Council  was  held  November 
23,  same  year,  eight  members  being  present. 

Those  who  have  been  following  the  history  of  the  Order  from 
its  inception,  in  the  previous  chapters,  will  recall  our  allusions  to 
the  indifference  of  the  Senior  Order  toward  the  Junior  Order,  that 
it  was  individual  members  of  the  older  Order  that  brought  the  new 
organization  into  existence  and  fostered  and  cherished  it,  and  not 
the  Order  as  a  whole.  This  has  been  questioned  by  members  of 
the  0.  TJ.  A.  M.,  it  being  claimed  that  their  organization  was  the 
"  mother  "  of  the  new  born  child.  While  it  is  true,  as  referred  to 
in  another  place,  that  at  the  earnest  appeal  of  the  State  Council, 
Jr.  0.  TJ.  A.  M.,  in  1862,  the  Senior  Order  did  recognize  the  Junior 
organization  as  teaching  the  same  principles  as  their  own  and  should 
be  encouraged,  still  there  never  was  any  official  supervision  exer- 
cised over  the  Juniors  by  the  Seniors,  as  is  evident  from  the  fol- 
lowing motion  offered  at  this  special  session  of  the  National  Body, 
quoted  from  the  records: 

"  Bro.  Laning,  of  New  Jersey,  moved  that  a  Committee  of  three 
be  appointed  to  lay  before  the  National  Council,  Order  of  United  Amer- 
ican Mechanics,  our  claims  to  their  support  and  assistance,  with  a  view 
to  placing  our  entire  Order  under  their  supervision." 

This  proves,  if  it  proves  anything,  that  the  Junior  Order  was 
not  under  the  direct  official  supervision  of  the  Senior  Order,  neither 
did  it  have  the  support  it  should  have  had,  when  it  was  the  original 
purpose  of  the  Junior  Order  to  prepare  the  "  youth  of  America  " 
for  membership  in  the  0.  U.  A.  M.  "  when  they  arrive  at  the  proper 
age."  The  Fourth  Object  of  the  Order,  as  adopted  at  the  institu- 
tion of  Washington  Council  reads  as  follows: 

"  To  prepare  the  youth  of  America  to  become  members  of  the  O.  U. 
A.  M.,  and  other  American  Orders,  when  they  arrive  at  proper  age." 

The  "  proper  age  ,}  referred  to  in  the  Object  was  21  years,  at 
which  time  a  person  was  eligible  to  join  the  Senior  Order.  The 
motion  alluded  to  above,  however,  was,  after  a  long  discussion, 
defeated  and  indicates  that  the  leaders  of  our  Order  at  that  time 
were  men  of  an  independent  stamp  of  mind  who  were  not  in  favor 
of  "  wearing  the  collar  "  or  begging  support  from  the  Senior  Order. 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  283 

WILMINGTON,    DEL.,    1870 

The  first  regular  session  of  the  National  Council  was  held  at 
Wilmington,  Del.,  February  10,  1870,  with  but  eight  members 
present. 

A  draft  of  a  three  degree  Ritual  was  presented  by  the  National 
Secretary,  Brother  Deemer,  which  was  unanimously  adopted,  after 
rejecting  a  draft  presented  by  request  of  the  State  Council  of 
Pennsylvania.  All  the  officers  elected  at  the  institution  of  the 
National  Council,  with  the  exception  of  National  Doorkeeper,  were 
reelected  by  acclamation,  whereupon,  the  body  adjourned  to  meet  in 
special  session  on  the  third  Friday  of  May. 

Pursuant  to  the  adjournment  resolution,  the  National  Body 
met  in  Philadelphia,  May  20,  with  National  Councilor  John  W. 
Calver  in  the  Chair.  Fifteen  members  were  in  attendance.  The 
name  of  Brother  Chas.  H.  Kurtz,  so  favorably  known  to  the  mem- 
bers of  the  National  Council  as  one  of  the  Committee  on  Finance, 
had  a  place  on  the  roll  from  Pennsylvania. 

It  reflects  credit  upon  the  membership  of  the  National  Council, 
that  from  the  first  regular  meeting  the  Supreme  Kuler  of  the 
Universe  was  recognized  in  having  the  sessions  opened  with  prayer, 
Brother  John  D.  Goff,  at  this  meeting,  having  performed  the  de- 
votional exercises. 

The  first  item  of  business  transacted  at  the  special  session  was 
the  adoption  of  the  three-degree  Eitual,  as  revised,  as  the  degrees 
of  the  Order.  Following  the  adoption  of  the  Degree  Ritual,  a 
resolution  was  offered,  first  of  a  long  line  of  resolutions  bearing  on 
the  same  subject,  that  a  new  Ritual  for  Subordinate  Councils  be 
prepared,  offering,  as  a  prize,  $25  to  any  member,  either  Senior 
or  Junior,  for  the  best  Ritual  submitted. 


CAMDEN,   n.   J.,   1871 

Camden,  N.  J.,  entertained  the  National  Body  in  annual  ses- 
sion, February  9,  1871.  Brother  Calver,  National  Councilor,  pre- 
sided, and  eighteen  .members  were  present.  During  the  year  the 
State  Council  of  Maryland  had  been  instituted  and  was  represented 
at  this  meeting.  Brother  J.  Adam  Sohl,  for  so  many  years  the 
esteemed  and  faithful  National  Treasurer,  was  present  as  one  of 
the  Representatives  of  Maryland.  Councils  had  been  organized 
also  in  West  Virginia  and  New  York;  in  fact,  the  year  previous, 
some  good  work  had  been  accomplished  in  the  latter  state. 


284  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

In  accordance  with  a  provision  of  the  National  Council  Con- 
stitution, tne  National  Councilor  and  National  Secretary  were  re- 
quired to  submit  a  report  of  their  work  during  the  year,  which, 
when  presented,  was  referred  to  a  Committee  who  subsequently  re- 
ported back  to  the  body  their  approval  or  disapproval  of  the  sug- 
gestions, recommendations  and  work  of  the  above  named  officers. 
The  custom  of  referring  these  reports  to  a  Committee  was  in  vogue 
for  many  years.  It  was  also  the  custom  for  some  years  for  the 
National  Council  to  install  its  officers  in  the  midst  of  the  session 
instead  of  at  the  close,  as  it  is  now  done,  and  the  new  officers 
assumed  their  places  and  positions  for  the  remainder  of  the  meet- 
ing. The  custom  of  calling  the  roll  at  the  afternoon,  and  evening 
sessions,  if  held,  as  well  as  the  morning,  was  the  rule  for  many  years. 

During  the  year  the  National  Vice-Councilor,  John  H.  Gress, 
had  been  expelled  from  the  Order.  In  conformity  with  the  author- 
ity reposed  in  him,  the  National  Councilor  appointed  in  his  place 
Ogden  Laning,  of  New  Jersey. 

The  State  Council  of  Pennsylvania,  through  its  Eepresenta- 
tives,  submitted  a  resolution  asking  that  the  General  Laws,  under 
the  head  of  Eligibility  to  Membership,  be  so  amended  as  to  strike 
out  the  words  "  sixteen  years  of  age  or  over.'"'  Against  this  resolu- 
tion a  protest  from  Conestoga  Council,  No.  22,  of  same  state, 
was  read,  claiming  that  it  would  create  discord  between  the  Junior 
and  Senior  Orders.  To  this  protest  an  answer  was  filed  by  the 
Representatives  of  Pennsylvania,  denying  the  allegations  made  in 
the  "  protest."  Among  the  statements  made  in  the  "  answer,"  the 
following  shows  the  feelings  then  existing  in  the  Junior  Order : 

"  We  cheerfully  bear  witness  to  the  many  Councils  which  have  been 
organized  in  our  State  (Penna.)  by  Councils  or  members  of  the  Senior 
Order,  but  we  also  assert,  without  fear  of  contradiction,  that  they  do  not 
receive  that  fostering  care  to  which  they  are  entitled,  and  that  many  have 
been  started  by  the  Senior  Order,  and  then  left  to  shift  for  themselves. 
We  do  not  believe  that  if  the  National  Council  should  heed  the  petition 
of  the  State  Council  of  Pennsylvania,  that  it  would  create  a  wider  breach 
than  now  exists." 

In  the  consideration  of  the  petition,  a  motion  to  limit  the  age 
of  applicants  to  25  years  was  not  agreed  to;  also  one  to  postpone 
action  on  the  question  for  10  years  was  lost  by  a  tie  vote.  The 
question  recurring  on  the  original  resolution,  by  a  vote  of  9  nays 
to  7  yeas,  the  amendment  to  the  General  Laws  was  not  agreed  to. 
A  motion  to  amend  the  General  Laws  on  Eligibility  to  Membership, 
by  striking  out  the  word  "  white  "  so  that  other  races  might  apply 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  285 

for  membership  in  the  Order,  met  a  like  defeat,  there  being  but 
three  in  favor  and  14  against. 

The  National  Secretary  submitted  a  new  Eitual,  which,  after 
some  changes  made  in  the  Committee  of  the  Whole,  was  adopted. 
As  per  resolution  of  last  session,  offering  $25  for  best  Ritual, 
Brother  Deemer  was  made  the  recipient  of  that  amount. 

The  badge  of  the  Order,  consisting  of  the  square  and  compass, 
arm  and  hammer,  encircled  by  a  shield,  was  agreed  upon. 

Of  the  principal  officers  elected,  the  following  was  the  result: 

National  Councilor — Ogden  Laning,  of  New  Jersey, 
National  Vice-Councilor — John  T.  Cowl,  of  West  Virginia, 
National  Secretary — Edw.   S.  Deemer,  of  Pennsylvania, 
National  Treasurer — Nathan  Penrose,  of  Pennsylvania. 


BALTIMORE,    MD.,    1872 

The  Third  Annual  Session  of  the  National  Council  was  held 
at  Baltimore,  Maryland,  February  8,  1873,  Brother  Ogden  Laning, 
National  Councilor,  presiding.  Twenty  members  were  present,  rep- 
resenting Pennsylvania,  New  Jersey,  Delaware,  Maryland  and  West 
Virginia,  a  State  Council  in  the  latter  state  having  been  instituted 
during  the  year.  Connecticut,  with  one  Council,  came  under  the 
jurisdiction  of  the  National  Council  since  the  last  session.  The 
National  Secretary  reported  124  Councils  and  8,317  members. 

But  little  business  was  transacted  at  this  session.  A  motion 
to  annul  the  requirement  in  the  ritualistic  ceremonies  whereby  the 
candidate  should  kneel  while  taking  the  obligation,  was  passed. 
The  time  of  the  meeting  of  the  National  Council  was  changed  from 
February  to  June,  to  go  into  effect  after  the  year  1872.  Several 
resolutions  with  reference  to  a  revision  of  the  Eitual  and  the  draft- 
ing of  certain  features  to  be  added  thereto  were  passed  and  referred 
to  the  Committee  on  Eitual. 

The  following  officers  were  elected: 

National  Councilor — John  T.  Cowl,  of  West  Virginia, 
National  Vice-Councilor — Jos.  Smiley,  of  Maryland, 
National  Secretary — Edw.   S.  Deemer,   of  Pennslvania, 
National  Treasurer — Nathan  Penrose,  of  Pennsylvania, 
National  Marshal — J.  Adam  Sohl,  of  Maryland, 
National  Protector — Jno.  H.  Vanhorn,  of  New  Jersey, 
National  Doorkeeper — John  W.  Morris,  of  West  Virginia. 


286  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

WILMINGTON,  DEL.,  1873 

For  the  second  time  the  National  Council  met  at  Wilmington, 
Del.,  in  its  Fourth  Annual  Session,  June  12,  1873,  this  being  the 
month  fixed  at  the  last  session  for  the  meeting  of  the  body. 

The  right  of  the  Board  of  Officers  of  a  State  Council,  in  the 
interim,  to  appoint  a  Bepresentative  to  the  National  Council  to  fill 
a  vacancy,  was  denied  by  the  National  Councilor,  from  which  an 
appeal  was  taken,  and  by  a  vote  of  10  to  7  the  decision  of  the 
National  Councilor  was  not  sustained.  By  resolution,  it  was  de- 
clared to  be  the  sense  of  the  National  Council  that  vacancies  can  be 
filled  by  the  State  Board  of  Officers,  which  rule  has  been  followed 
ever  since. 

The  report  of  the  National  Secretary  indicated  a  lack  of  in- 
terest in  certain  sections  of  the  jurisdiction.  West  Virginia,  of 
which  the  National  Councilor,  Jno.  T.  Cowl,  who  was  not  in  attend- 
ance, was  a  member,  had  not  reported  to  the  National  Secretary 
nor  sent  any  communication  whatever.  Only  three  State  Councils, 
Pennsylvania,  New  Jersey  and  Maryland  had  submitted  their  re- 
ports, although  it  is  just  to  state  that  the  law  did  not  require  the 
reports  until  the  meeting  of  the  National  Body,  hence  it  is  to  be 
presumed  that  other  State  Councils  submitted  their  reports  at  the 
session.  During  the  year  the  State  Council  of  Ohio  had  been  in- 
stituted, and  a  Council  had  been  organized  in  each  of  three  new 
states,  viz. :  Virginia,  Michigan  and  Kentucky'.  A  charter  for  the 
State  Council  of  New  York  was  also  granted. 

Eitual  legislation  occupied  a  large  portion  of  the  time  of  the 
session.  As  per  instructions  of  the  last  session,  the  Committee 
on  Eitual  reported  in  favor  of  a  Consolidated  Eitual  of  the  Subor- 
dinate and  Degree  Councils'  Eituals,  in  consideration  of  which,  the 
National  Council  went  into  the  Committee  of  the  Whole.  After 
making  certain  amendments,  the  Committee  reported  back  to  the 
body  the  first  two  degrees,  as  amended,  and  referred  the  Third 
Degree  back  to  the  Committee  on  Eitual  for  further  changes.  No 
further  reference  to  this  Degree  is  found  in  the  proceedings  of  the 
session.  A  Eitual  for  State  Councils  was  submitted  by  Bepresenta- 
tive Messenger,  of  Delaware,  but  no  action  was  taken  thereon. 

Two  additional  clauses  to  be  incorporated  as  Objects  of  the 
Order  were  presented  by  Chas.  E.  Voorhees,  which,  under  the  law, 
were  laid  over.     They  were  as  follows: 

1.  To  maintain  the  reading  of  the  Bible   in  the  public  schools. 

2.  To  oppose  a  union  of  Church  and  State,  and  the  appropriation  of 
money  for  sectarian  purposes. 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  28? 

The  spirit  of  unrest  relative  to  the  relations  existing  between 
the  Senior  and  Junior  Orders  manifested  itself  in  the  presentation 
of  two  resolutions,  which,  under  the  law,  were  laid  over,  viz. : 
1.  To  strike  out  "  twenty-one '"  and  insert  "  twenty -five."  2.  To 
strike  out  the  Fifth  Object  entirely. 

The  National  Councilor,  John  T.  Cowl,  not  being  present,  his 
office  was  declared  vacant  in  consequence  of  the  State  Council  of 
West  Virginia  not  reporting  to  the  National  Council;  whereupon 
an  election  was  had,  when  Brother  Jos.  Smiley,  of  Maryland,  was 
elected  National  Councilor  and  Brother  Thos.  C.  Appleby,  of  Dela- 
ware, was  elected  National  Vice-Councilor,  and  both  officers  served 
in  their  respective  positions  the  remainder  of  the  session. 

For  the  ensuing  year,  the  following  officers  were  elected  and 
installed : 

National  Councilor — Thos.  C.  Appleby,  of  Delaware, 
National  Vice-Councilor — Chas.  E.  Voorhees,  of  Pennsylvania, 
National  Secretary — Edw.  S.  Deemer,  of  Pennsylvania, 
National  Treasurer — Nathan   Penrose,   of   Pennsylvania, 
National  Marshal — Chas.  Balevre,  of  New  Jersey, 
National  Protector — J.  Adam  Sohl,  of  Maryland, 
National  Doorkeeper — J.  J.  Williams,  of  Pennsylvania. 

An  adjourned  session  of  the  National  Council  was  held  in 
Philadelphia,  September  23,  same  year.  At  this  session  a  very  bit- 
ter and  unwarranted  attack  was  made  on  National  Secretary  Deemer 
by  National  Vice-Councilor  Chas.  E.  Voorhees,  in  a  draft  of  six- 
resolutions  drawn  up  and  presented  to  the  National  Body.  The 
Preamble  stated  that  Brother  Deemer  had  received  an  application 
from  Virginia  for  a  charter  for  a  council  to  be  named  Lee  Council, 
No.  2,  and  that  he  had,  as  National  Secretary,  refused  the  appli- 
cation. Then  followed  the  resolutions  declaring  the  action  of  the 
National  Secretary  as  "  illegal  and  unauthorized,  impolitic  and 
inexpedient,  and  prompted  only  by  the  narrowest  of  political 
prejudice." 

The  spirit  that  prompted  the  resolutions  was  certainly  far 
from  fraternal ;  in  fact,  it  was  base.  Pending  the  discussion  of  the 
resolutions,  Brother  Deemer  denounced  the  statements  as  set  forth 
in  the  Preamble  as  false  in  every  respect,  denying  that  he  had 
received  an  application  for  a  charter  for  a  Council  to  be  called 
Lee  Council,  hence  could  not  have  refused  it.  He  stated  further 
that  a  request  for  a  blank  application  had  been  granted,  and  that 
in  sending  it  he  had  given  his  personal  opinion  that  no  charter 


288  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

would  be  granted  to  a  Council  to  be  called  after  Gen.  Robert  E.  Lee, 
and  that  this  opinion  was  concurred  in  by  the  National  Councilor. 
The  ayes  and  nays  were  called  upon  the  adoption  of  the  reso- 
lutions of  censure,  which  resulted  in  11  voting  to  censure  the 
National  Secretary  and  7  voting  in  the  negative.  It  is  proper,  in 
this  connection,  to  state  that  the  resolutions  of  censure  were  re- 
scinded at  the  next  session  of  the  National  Body,  to  which  reference 
will  be  made. 


NEW  YORK,    1874 

The  National  Council  convened  in  New  York  City,  June  11, 
1874,  it  being  the  Fifth  Annual  Session.  National  Councilor  Thos. 
C.  Appleby  occupied  the  Chair.  Six  states  were  represented  and 
twenty-one  members  were  in  attendance.  New  York  and  Massa- 
chusetts were  among  the  states  represented,  State  Councils  having 
been  organized  during  the  year.  The  session  was  a  short  one,  last- 
ing but  one  day,  and  but  little  business  of  any  importance  was 
transacted. 

By  resolution,  the  National  Council  agreed  to  pay  the  mileage 
of  the  officers  in  attendance  at  the  annual  sessions  at  the  rate  of 
three  cents  per  mile.  The  State  Council  of  Pennsylvania,  through 
its  Eepresentatives,  presented  a  resolution  disapproving  the  action 
of  the  National  Council  at  its  last  session  in  censuring  Brother 
Deemer,  and  asked  that  the  same  be  rescinded,  which,  by  a  vote  of 
14  to  6  was  agreed  to.  This  was  followed  by  a  motion  to  expunge 
from  the  records  the  resolution  of  censure  which  was  also  agreed  to. 

The  resolution  carried  over  from  last  session  to  strike  out  the 
Fifth  Object  was  considered.  A  motion  to  indefinitely  postpone 
was  carried.  The  resolution  to  incorporate  the  two  additional 
Objects,  as  stated  in  proceedings  of  previous  session,  was  then 
considered,  and  met  a  similar  fate.  The  National  Council  was  not 
ready  to  adopt  the  Third  Degree  for  the  Eitual  and  it  was  recom- 
mitted to  the  Committee  on  Ritual. 

The  officers  elected  for  the  ensuing  year  were  as  follows : 

National  Councilor — Chas.  E.  Voorhees,  of  Pennsylvania, 
National  Vice-Councilor — H.  S.  Corwin,  of  New  York, 
National  Secretary — Edw.  S.  Deemer,  of  Pennsylvania, 
National  Treasurer — Nathan   Penrose,   of   Pennsylvania, 
National  Marshal — J.  Adam  Sohl,  of  Maryland, 
National  Protector — W.  P.  Hayes,  of  New  Jersey, 
National  Doorkeeper — Chas.   T.  Daily,  of  Massachusetts. 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  289 

A  special  session  of  the  National  Body  was  held  in  Philadelphia, 
February  22,  1875,  to  consider  the  subject  of  a  new  Ritual  and  to 
elect  a  National  Councilor.  National  Councilor  Chas.  E.  Vorhees 
had  been  removed  as  a  Representative  by  action  of  the  State  Council 
of  his  state,  Pennsylvania,  for  violating  the  instructions  of  the 
State  Body  in  refusing  to  vote  to  rescind  the  resolutions,  of  which 
he  was  the  author,  whereby  Brother  Deemer  was  censured  by  the 
National  Body.  Failing  to  attend  to  his  duties  as  National  Coun- 
cilor, his  office  was  declared  vacant,  and,  on  motion,  National  Vice- 
Councilor  H.  S.  Corwin  was  elected  National  Councilor  and  Harry 
Stites,  of  Pennsylvania,  was  elected  National  Vice-Councilor. 
Brother  Corwin  not  being  present,  Brother  Stites  presided  in  his 
stead. 

The  new  Ritual,  as  presented  by  the  Committee  on  Ritual, 
was  exemplified  by  Brother  Frank  Cody,  State  Councilor  of  Penn- 
sylvania, and  after  some  changes,  was  adopted. 

The  old  question  of  striking  out  the  Fifth  Object  was  again 
introduced  and,  under  the  rule,  was  laid  over. 


BOSTON,  MASS.,  1875 

The  Centennial  of  the  Battle  of  Bunker  Hill  very  naturally 
led  the  National  Council  to  hold  its  annual  session  of  1875  in  the 
City  of  Boston,  Mass.  The  session  opened  in  due  form  with 
National  Councilor  H.  S.  Corwin  in  the  Chair  on  the  morning  of 
the  17th  of  June,  the  anniversary  of  the  battle,  and  then  adjourned 
until  the  next  day  in  order  that  the  members  of  the  National  Body 
could  attend  the  centennial  exercises. 

Under  the  inspiration  of  the  occasion,  and  in  the  presence  of 
such,  hallowed  associations  of  a  century,  the  National  Council  could 
not  have  met  at  a  more  appropriate  place  to  transact  its  business, 
having  as  its  purpose,  as  an  organization,  the  perpetuation  of  the 
principles  for  which  Samuel  Adams  and  James  Otis  plead  in 
Faneuil  Hall,  and  the  "  Minute  Men  "  of  New  England  fought  for 
on  Bunker  Hill.  The  session,  however,  was  poorly  attended,  there 
being  but  twelve  members  present  at  the  first  roll-call.  Four  states 
were  represented,  Pennsylvania,  New  York,  New  Jersey  and  Massa- 
chusetts. 

While  the  financial  depression  had  paralyzed  the  country,  yet 
from  the  reports  of  the  National  Officers,  the  Order  had  held  its 
own.  The  conduct  of  National  Councilor  Chas.  E.  Voorhees,  al- 
though elected  unanimously,  was  reprehensible.  From  the  begin- 
19 


290  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

ning  of  his  administration  he  gave  no  attention  to  his  official 
duties,  and  thus  the  Order  was  handicapped  largely  during  the 
year.  An  application  for  a  State  Council  came  from  the  State  of 
Indiana  and  the  same  was  forwarded  to  Voorhees.  He  paid  no 
attention  to  it  and  the  result  was  the  disbanding  of  the  Councils 
of  that  state  in  disgust,  with  one  exception.  The  facts  of  that 
unfortunate  episode  beginning  with  the  censuring  of  the  National 
Secretar}'  have  been  related  above.  We  will  let  Brother  Deemer 
close  the  incident : 

"  The  course  pursued  by  the  writer  and  advocate  of  the  resolutions 
of  September,  1873,  is  condemnatory  upon  his  honor,  zeal  and  fidelity. 
As  this  National  Council  has  purged  itself  of  his  influence,  and  his  State 
Council  has  repudiated  him  as  an  unworthy  Representative,  we  leave 
him." 

In  accordance  with  the  new  laws,  the  officers  of  the  National 
Council,  known  as  National  Marshal,  National  Protector,  and 
National  Doorkeeper,  were  changed  to  the  titles  they  bear  to-day, 
viz. :  National  Conductor,  National  Warden,  and  National  Sentinel. 

Preliminary  plans  were  made  at  this  session  to  fittingly  cele- 
brate the  Centennial  of  Independence  at  Philadelphia  the  following 
year  and  a  Committee  was  appointed  to  have  the  matter  in  charge. 
An  invitation  was  received  from  the  0.  TJ.  A.  M.  to  participate  with 
their  Order  in  a  parade  in  honor  of  the  Centennial,  to  be  held 
July  8,  1876,  and  the  same  was  accepted.  A  communication  from 
the  Washington  Monument  Association,  appealing  for  funds  to 
complete  the  Washington  Monument  at  Washington,  D.  C,  met 
with  favorable  consideration  by  the  National  Body,  and  a  Com- 
was  appointed  to  draft  an  appeal  and  send  to  the  Councils  asking 
aid  for  the  noble  purpose. 

The  election  of  officers  resulted  as  follows : 

National  Councilor — Harry  Stites,  of  Pennsylvania, 
National  Vice-Councilor — Wm.  P.  Hayes,  of  New  Jersey, 
National  Secretary — Edw.   S.  Deemer,  of  Pennsylvania, 
National  Treasurer — Nathan   Penrose,   of   Pennsylvania, 
National  Conductor — Eug.  Alderdice,  of  Maryland, 
National  Warden — G.  P.  Hadley,  of  Massachusetts, 
National  Sentinel — S.   W.   Kirkbride,   of  New  York. 


CHAPTER   XIX 
SESSIONS   OF  THE    NATIONAL    COUNCIL  (Continued) 

PHILADELPHIA,   JULY,    1876 

PHILADELPHIA,  in  1876,  was  the  Mecca  for  patriots.  Not 
only  did  the  millions  visit  the  Exposition,  but  the  sacred 
landmarks  as  well.  Along  with  the  great  hosts  of  Freedom's  sons, 
came  the  little  band  of  Juniors  to  hold  their  annual  session,  begin- 
ning July  6,  the  date  having  been  changed  in  order  that  the  Repre- 
sentatives might  share  in  the  parade  of  the  Order  on  July  8. 
Brother  Stites  presided  over  the  session,  which  was  attended  by  a 
large  representation.  One,  who  ever  since  has  been  a  prominent 
factor  in  the  National  Body,  was  present  for  the  first  time,  as  a 
Eepresentative  from  Maryland — Brother  Robert  Ogle — a  manly 
man  and  a  true  brother.  Among  those  present  were  two  honored 
Past  State  Councilors  of  Pennsylvania,  Brothers  DeHaven  and 
Frank  Cody. 

National  Councilor  Harry  Stites,  not  only  celebrated  the  Cen- 
tennial in  a  patriotic  way  by  presiding  over  the  National  Council, 
but  he  also  celebrated  the  Anniversary  of  Independence  by  taking 
unto  himself  a  wife,  and  an  appropriate  resolution  of  congratulation 
was  adopted  in  honor  of  his  marriage.  (By  way  of  coincidence,  the 
writer  also  celebrated  the  Centennial  in  the  same  manner,  spending 
his  honeymoon  in  the  Centennial  City,  having  witnessed  the  monster 
parade  on  July  4.)  The  reports  for  the  past  year  showed  that  the 
Order  had  been  very  much  retarded  by  the  "  hard  times  "  and  many 
members  were  unable  to  keep  themselves  in  good  standing  in  their 
respective  Councils.  The  Order  had  been  resuscitated  in  Indiana 
and  a  State  Council  had  been  organized. 

The  agitation  on  Ritual  was  a  marked  feature  of  the  session, 
as  well  as  a  change  of  name  and  the  elimination  of  the  Fifth 
Object.  The  National  Councilor  recommended  a  revision  of  the 
Ritual,  while  a  resolution  was  offered  asking  that  a  Committee  be 
appointed  to  take  into  consideration  the  advisability  of  a  revision 
and  report  back  to  the  body.  Subsequently  the  Committee  sub- 
mitted its  report,  recommending  the  consolidation  of  the  three 
degrees  into  one.  The  recommendation  was  not  agreed  to.  The 
Representatives  from  Maryland  presented  a  resolution  asking  that 
the  Committee  on  Ritual  be  empowered  to  draft  a  suitable  State 

291 


292  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

Council  Eitual ;  also  to  embody  in  the  Eitual  a  suitable  prayer  for 
Subordinate  Councils.  Subsequently,  the  Committee  reported  rela- 
tive to  the  last  request,  that  in  their  opinion,  it  was  not  desirable. 
The  chapter  on  Eitual  was  not  yet  ended.  Bros.  DeHaven  and 
Stites,  of  Pennsylvania,  offered  the  following,  which  was  agreed  to : 

"  Whereas,  Our  present  Ritual  is  being  complained  of  by  a  large 
number  of  members  of  our  Order,  both  on  account  of  its  length  and  also 
of  the  errors  in  printing;    therefore  be  it 

"  Resolved,  That  a  Committee  of  five  be  appointed  to  revise  our 
Ritual,  and  that  said  Committee  be  instructed  to  report  at  our  next 
session." 

A  resolution  to  strike  out  of  the  name  of  the  Order  the  word 
"  Junior "  and.  insert  "  something  more  appropriate,"  was  tabled. 
The  same  fate  met  another  resolution,  that  the  word.  "  Junior  "  be 
stricken  out  and  the  word  "  Independent "  be  inserted. 

The  National  Councilor,  in  his  report,  recommended  that  the 
Fifth  Object  be  stricken  out,  which  the  Committee  to  whom  the 
report  had  been  referred,  reported  in  favor  of  the  recommendation ; 
but  not  being  in  proper  form,  it  was  recommitted,  whereupon,  the 
Committee,  in  accordance  with  the  law,  recommended  that  the  Sec- 
retary transmit  to  each  member  of  the  National  Body  a  copy  of  the 
proposed  change,  which  was  agreed  to. 

The  Committee  on  Centennial  Parade  made  its  report. 
Brother  G.  Howell  Arthur,  so  well  known  for  a  decade  as  the 
popular  Eeading  Clerk  in  the  National  Council,  as  well  as  the 
painstaking  Secretary  of  the  Finance  Committee,  was  the  Grand 
Marshal  to  lead  the  Junior  division,  while  National  Councilor 
Harry  Stites  marshaled  the  National  Council  as  a  body.  The 
parade  was  a  success,  3,000  men  being  in  line,  although  it  was  the 
hottest  day  of  one  of  the  hottest  seasons  on  record. 

The  election  of  officers  resulted  as  follows : 

National  Councilor — Wm.  P.  Hayes,  of  New  Jersey, 
National  Vice-Councilor — Geo.   W.  Ilgenfritz,  of  Indiana, 
National  Secretary — Edw.   S.  Deemer,  of  Pennsylvania, 
National  Treasurer — Thos.  H.  H.  Messenger,  of  Delaware, 
National  Conductor — W.  A.  Martin,  of  Ohio, 
National  Warden — W.  Eug.  Alderdice,  of  Maryland, 
National  Sentinel — S.  W.  Kirkbride,  of  New  Jersey. 

The  election  of  the  Treasurer  caused  some  friction  in  the 
National  Body,  he  having  been  elected  by  14  votes  to  13  for  the 
former  Treasurer,  Brother  Penrose.     A  protest  was  filed  by  P.  S.  C. 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  293 

Sibbs,  of  Pennsylvania,  against  the  installation  of  the  Treasurer- 
elect,  from  the  fact  that  27  voters  were  cast  while  it  was  claimed 
that  only  25  persons  were  eligible  to  vote.  A  new  election  was  de- 
clared, whereupon,  Messenger  received  21  votes  and  Penrose  14, 
making  a  total  of  34.  However,  not  having  qualified  himself  for 
the  office  in  not  furnishing  security,  as  required  by  law,  Messenger 
did  not  assume  the  duties  of  his  office. 


DAYTON,  OHIO,  1877 

Dayton,  Ohio,  was  the  place,  and  July  2  and  3,  1877,  the  time 
of  the  meeting  of  the  Eight  Annual  Session  of  the  National  Coun- 
cil, with  22  members  in  attendance. 

The  National  Councilor  reported  the  disbanding  of  the  State 
Council  of  New  York;  he  also  referred  to  the  suspension  of  the 
Junior  American  Mechanic,  the  official  organ  of  the  Order. 

Three  Eituals  were  presented  and  read,  viz. :  One  from  P.  S.  C. 
DeHaven  of  Pennsylvania,  one  from  P.  S.  C.  Sharer,  of  same  state, 
and  one  from  and  by  instructions  of  the  State  Council  of  Indiana, 
all  of  which  were  referred  to  a  Committee  of  five.  Subsequently, 
during  the  session,  a  majority  of  the  Committee,  reported  in  favor 
of  one  of  the  Eituals,  marked  "  No.  3,"  while  the  minority  favored 
the  "  Indiana  Eitual.''  The  difficulty,  however,  was  settled  by  a 
compromise  motion  referring  to  a  Special  Committee  Eitual 
"  No.  3,"  with  the  recommendation  that  the  opening  ceremony 
as  found  in  the  "  Indiana  Eitual "  and  the  "  camp  scene  "  of  the 
present  Eitual  be  inserted.  Thus  ended  the  chapter  on  Eitual  for 
the  session. 

The  question,  now  almost  annually  raised,  to  strike  out  the 
Fifth  Object,  was  defeated  by  a  vote  of  11  to  10,  the  National 
Councilor-elect  having  been  excused  from  voting. 

The  National  Council  adjourned,  after  electing  and  installing 
the  following  officers: 

National  Councilor — Geo.  W.  Ilgenfritz,  of  Indiana, 
National  Vice-Councilor — J.  Adam  Sohl,  of  Maryland, 
National  Secretary — Edw.  S.  Deemer,  of  Pennsylvania, 
National  Treasurer — Wm.  P.  Hayes,  of  New  Jersey, 
National  Conductor — Wm.  T.  Whitworth,  of  Delaware, 
National  Warden — Jas.   E.   Bowen,   of  Maryland, 
National  Sentinel — H.  Wells  Buser,  of  Pennsylvania. 


294  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

BALTIMORE,    MD.,    1878 

The  Ninth  Annual  Session  of  the  National  Council  convened 
at  Baltimore,  Md.,  June  18,  1878,  with  more  than  thirty  members 
present.  National  Councilor  Ilgenfritz  reported  the  reorganization 
of  New  York  State  Council,  and  submitted  several  "  bones  of  con- 
tention "  by  way  of  recommendations,  among  which  were  the  strik- 
ing out  of  the  Fifth  Object,  adopting  a  "good  and  substantial 
Kitual,"  and  the  appointment  of  a  Committee,  out  of  courtesy,  to 
meet  with  a  Committee  of  the  Senior  Order  relative  to  the  consoli- 
dation of  the  two  Orders,  although,  personally  he  was  opposed  to 
consolidation. 

For  the  second  time  in  its  brief  history,  the  National  Council 
had  trouble  with  its  presiding  officer.  The  National  Secretary,  in 
his  report,  presented  certain  communications  from  the  State  Coun- 
cil Secretary  of  Indiana,  Philip  Weiner,  relative  to  the  conduct  of 
National  Councilor  Geo.  W.  Ilgenfritz,  a  member  of  the  State  Coun- 
cil of  Indiana,  charging  him  with  the  embezzlement  of  the  funds 
of  the  Order,  interfering  with  the  administration  of  the  State 
Council  of  his  state  and  thereby  breaking  up  the  Order  in  that 
jurisdiction.  The  same  communications  stated  that  Ilgenfritz  had 
been  expelled  from  the  State  Council  of  Indiana. 

The  National  Secretary,  at  the  time  he  received  the  above 
communications,  it  being  in  the  month  of  February,  referred  the 
same  to  National  Vice-Councilor  Brother  Sohl,  who  decided  to  await 
further  developments  as  to  the  manner  of  the  expulsion  of  the 
National  Councilor,  whether  it  was  by  the  action  of  the  Board  of 
Officers  of  Indiana,  or  the  State  Council.  Subsequent  inquiry 
convinced  the  National  Secretary  that  the  expulsion  was  illegal 
and  no  further  action  was  taken.  A  letter  from  the  State  Council 
Secretary,  pro  tern,  of  Indiana,  dated  June  12,  stated  that  at  a 
special  meeting  of  the  State  Council  the  National  Councilor  had 
been  suspended  for  one  year,  and  to  remain  suspended  until  he  had 
refunded  certain  moneys  it  was  alleged  he  had  taken.  The  same 
communication  stated  that  the  State  Council  Secretary,  Philip 
Weiner,  had  also  been  suspended,  the  time  being  six  months,  for 
"  over-stepping  his  authority  as  State  Council  Secretary."  How- 
ever, it  developed,  on  inquiry,  that  the  notice  of  the  suspension  of 
the  above  named  officers  was  premature,  as  it  was  but  the  report  of 
the  Committee  in  the  cases,  action  upon  which  was  deferred  one 
week,  in  accordance  with  law. 

In  the  meantime,  however,  the  Committee  having  in  their 


UNITED  AMERICAN   MECHANICS  295 

hands  the  report  of  the  National  Secretary,  submitted  to  the  Na- 
tional Body  their  opinion  that  the  charges  against  the  National 
Councilor  were  sufficient  to  warrant  the  State  Council  of  Indiana 
to  suspend  him.  While  the  question  was  under  consideration,  the 
following  telegram  from  the  State  Vice-Councilor  of  Indiana  was 
read: 

"  Sentence  passed  upon  G.  W.  Ilgenfritz  and  P.  Weiner  to-night." 

At  this  juncture  in  the  proceedings,  National  Vice-Councilor 
Sohl,  who  was  the  presiding  officer,  ruled  the  point  of  order  well 
taken,  which  had  been  raised,  that  as  the  National  Councilor  was 
suspended  and  there  being  no  appeal,  no  further  consideration 
of  the  question  was  necessary  as  G.  W.  Ilgenfritz  was  no  longer  a 
member  of  the  National  Body.  An  appeal  was  taken  from  the 
decision  of  the  Chair,  but  subsequently  was  withdrawn. 

A  resolution  was  presented  which  read  as  follows: 

"  Resolved,  That  no  member  of  the  0.  U.  A.  M.  be  allowed  to  visit 
any  Council  of  the  Jr.  O.  U.  A.  M.,  unless  they  are  members  of  the  Junior 
Order." 

It  might  be  well  to  state  to  the  modern  Junior,  that  from  the 
organization  of  the  Junior  Order,  and  for  many  years  after,  the 
members  of  the  Senior  Order  were  admitted  to  the  Councils  of  the 
Junior  Order,  at  first  without  being  obligated,  but  subsequently 
they  were  required  to  take  an  obligation.  Many  found  fault  with 
this  "  open  door  policy/'  and  quite  frequently  in  the  State  Council 
of  Pennsylvania  there  had  been  expressions  of  disapproval.  In  the 
consideration  of  the  above  resolution,  much  discussion  took  place 
and,  in  the  final  action,  the  ayes  were  14  and  the  nays  20,  thereby 
defeating  the  resolution. 

In  view  of  the  discontent  existing,  the  State  Council  of  Penn- 
sylvania, 0.  U.  A.  M.,  at  its  session  in  1877,  drew  up  a  set  of  reso- 
lutions and  the  same  were  presented  to  the  National  Body  of  the 
Senior  Order  asking  that  a  Committee  be  appointed  to  confer  with 
a  similar  Committee  of  the  Junior  Order  looking  toward  a  union 
of  the  two  Orders. 

The  preamble  read  as  follows: 

"  Whereas,  It  is  in  contemplation  at  the  next  session  of  the 
National  Council  of  the  Jr.  0.  U.  A.  M.,  to  so  alter  their  laws  by  striking 
out  the  restrictive  rule,  thus  separating  the  two  Orders  so  far  apart 
that  they  will  be  two  distinct  Orders,  and 

"  Whereas,  It  is  of  the  utmost  importance  that  the  two  Orders  be 
united,   that  they  can  work  together  more  effectually  in   promoting  the 


296  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

welfare  of  Americans,  and  in  accomplishing  the  great  ends  for  which  the 
Orders  were  instituted,  so  that  we  can  present  to  the  world  one  of  the 
grandest  Orders  that  has  ever  existed." 

The  National  Council  of  the  Senior  Order  having  concurred 
in  the  request  of  the  State  Council  of  Pennsylvania,  the  same  was 
submitted  to  the  National  Body.  In  consideration  of  the  communi- 
cation, by  a  vote  of  19  to  14,  a  Committee  was  appointed  to  meet 
a  similar  Committee  of  the  Senior  Order.  The  Committee  con- 
sisted of  P.N.  C.  J.  W.  Calver,  P.  N.  C.  Hayes  and  National  Vice- 
Councilor  Sohl. 

A  Past  Councilor's  Association,  known  as  the  "  American 
Legion,"  having  been  organized  in  Philadelphia,  the  obect  of  which 
was  to  create  greater  interest  in  the  Order,  was  approved  by  the 
National  Body.  Subsequently,  a  Past  Councilor's  Degree  was 
adopted  by  the  National  Council  for  the  use  of  the  "  Legion," 
operating  under  the  name  of  "  Commandery." 

The  Special  Committee  on  Bitual,  appointed  at  last  session,  to 
incorporate  certain  features  into  the  new  Eitual,  submitted  their 
report,  whereupon,  the  National  Council  went  into  the  Committee 
of  the  Whole  for  its  consideration,  with  P.  S.  O,  H.  L.  Williams,  of 
Pennsylvania,  in  the  Chair.  The  Committee  amended  the  Eitual 
presented  by  inserting  the  opening  ceremony  prepared  by  Brother 
G.  Howell  Arthur  instead  of  the  one  in  the  "  Indiana  Eitual,"  as 
recommended  at  the  last  session,  and  also  further  amended  it  by 
making  the  reading  of  the  Bible  compulsory  in  the  Subordinate 
Councils  and  the  prayer  optional.  Eeporting  back  to  the  National 
Body  the  Eitual,  as  amended,  that  body  further  amended  it  by 
striking  out  the  gown  and  cowl  that  were  required  to  be  worn  and 
the  Order  of  Business,  whereupon,  by  a  vote  of  17  to  16  the  new 
Eitual  was  adopted. 

The  Eitual,  however,  was  not  satisfactory  to  a  large  number 
of  the  National  Council,  which  was  apparent  from  the  small  major- 
ity by  which  it  was  finally  adopted.  During  its  consideration,  there 
was  a  strong  opposition,  and  the  ayes  and  nays  were  frequently 
called  upon  the  various  features.  In  view  of  this  dissatisfaction, 
14  of  the  16  who  voted  in  the  negative  and  one  who  voted  aye,  the 
Chairman  of  the  Committee  of  the  Whole,  presented  the  following 
resolution : 

"Resolved,  That  the  Ritual  just  adopted  be  published  as  an  initia- 
tory, and  that  a  Committee  be  appointed  to  draft  three  additional  degrees 
and  report  at  the  next  session." 


UNITED  AMERICAN   MECHANICS  297 

The  resolution  was  adopted  and,  on  motion,  the  signers  were 
constituted  that  Committee.  Signs  for  the  new  Eitual  were 
adopted  as  well  as  an  obligation  for  representatives  and  Past  State 
Councilors  to  be  admitted  to  the  National  Council. 

A  resolution  to  strike  out  the  Fifth  Object  of  the  Order  was 
introduced  and  laid  over. 

The  officers  for  the  ensuing  year  were  elected  as  follow 

National  Councilor — J.  Adam  Sohl,  of  Maryland, 
National  Vice-Councilor — H.  W.  Lewis,  of  Ohio, 
National  Secretary — Edw.  S.  Deemer,  of  Pennsylvania, 
National  Treasurer — Wm.  P.  Hayes,  of  New  Jersey, 
National  Conductor — Standford  McKeeby,  of  New  York, 
National  Warden — J.  M.  Baker,  of  Indiana, 
National  Sentinel — Geo.   P.  Monck,  of  Delaware. 

"This  being  the  quarter-centennial  year  of  the  Order,  it  may  be 
interesting  to  the  brotherhood  to  know  the  standing  of  the  organi- 
zation at  that  time.  The  depression  that  followed  the  great  finan- 
cial crash  of  1873  wrought  materially  against  the  progress  of  the 
Order,  many  Councils  having  succumbed  to  the  pressure.  The 
statistical  report  of  the  National  Secretary  showed  the  following : 

NO.  OF  NO.  OF 

COUNCILS  MEMBERS 

Pennsylvania     80  5,335 

New  Jersey    24  1,380 

Maryland    6  305 

Massachusetts 4  117 

Ohio     3  202 

Delaware    3  95 

Indiana  3                  

The  total  number  of  Councils  was  123  and  the  membership 
7,-184,  being  a  decrease  of  23  Councils  and  1,971  members. 


NEW  BRUNSWICK,  N.  J.,   1879 

New  Brunswick,  N.  J.,  entertained  the  Tenth  Annual  Session 
of  the  National  Body,  June  17  and  18,  1879,  31  members  being 
present.  From  the  reports  of  the  officers  we  learn  that  the  retro- 
grade movement  of  the  Order  had  been  checked  and  a  small  increase 
was  shown.  The  Order  in  Virginia,  during  the  year,  had  been 
reorganized,  and  into  one  new  state,  Vermont,  the  principles  of  the 
Order  had  been  planted.  The  amount  of  moneys  coming  into  the 
National  Treasury  was  quite  small  at  that  time  as  compared  with 
the  present.     The  report  showed  that  only  $451.60  had  been  re- 


298  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

ceived  from  all  sources,  of  which,  $324  was  for  per  capita  tax. 
The  National  Secretary's  salary  was  but  $75  a  year.  When  we 
consider  the  many  years  of  faithful  service  Brother  Deemer  gave 
to  the  Order  for  such  a  compensation,  surely  no  one  to-day  (1906) 
should  begrudge  him  the  sum  paid  at  the  present  time. 

The  subject  of  the  unification  and  consolidation  of  the  Senior 
and  Junior  Orders  was  a  marked  feature  of  this  session.  The 
Committee  of  the  two  Orders  agreed  upon  a  plan  of  union  which  is 
here  inserted  as  a  whole: 

"  We  the  undersigned  members  of  the  joint  Committee,  appointed 
by  the  National  Councils  of  the  O.  U.  A.  M.  and  the  Junior  Order  of  the 
O.  U.  A.  M.,  do  most  respectfully  and  fraternally  agree  to  the  following 
proposition  for  the  purpose  of  effecting  a  closer  and  firmer  union  between 
the  two  Orders,  viz:  Abolish  the  National  Council  of  both  Orders,  and 
also  the  State  Councils  of  both  Orders  in  those  States  where  the  two 
Orders  exist.  Form  a  National  Council  and  State  Council  from  the  two 
Orders,  giving  the  Past  Councilors  of  the  Junior  Order  and  the  ex-Coun- 
cilors of  the  O.  U.  A.  M.  equal  privileges  in  the  formation  of  the  said 
National  and  State  Councils.  Recognize  the  present  Past  Councilors, 
Past  State  and  Past  National  Councilors  of  the  Junior  Order,  to  be  on 
equal  standing  and  entitled  to  the  same  rights  and  privileges  of  the  ex- 
Councilors,  ex-State  and  ex-National  Councilors  of  the  O.  U.  A.  M.  After 
the  National  and  State  Councils  are  formed  in  accordance  with  the  above, 
the  Order  to  be  known  as  the  Order  of  United  American  Mechanics  and 
to  consist  of  two  branches,  the  members  of  the  Senior  branch  to  have  the 
right  to  visit  Councils  of  the  Junior  branch  under  obligation  of  secrecy, 
and  in  like  manner  the  members  of  the  Junior  branch  to  have  the  right 
to  visit  Councils  of  the  Senior  branch. 

"  The  Senior  branch  of  the  Order  to  initiate  members  at  the  age 
of  21  years  and  over,  and  the  Junior  branch  members  not  over  21  years 
of  age. 

"  The  Junior  and  Senior  branches  then  to  be  allowed  representation 
in  the  State  Councils,  and  each  to  have  the  same  privilege  as  regards 
representation  in  the  National  Council." 

In  the  consideration  of  the  above  report,  the  National  Coun- 
cil, by  a  vote  of  16  to  14,  refused  to  agree  to  a  resolution  to  disagree 
with  the  action  of  the  Committee  and  that  they  be  discharged  from 
further  consideration  of  the  subject.  A  motion  to  accept  the 
report  and  that  the  Committee  be  continued  was  carried  by  a  vote 
of  15  to  10. 

The  resolution  laid  over  from  last  session  to  strike  out  the 
Fifth  Object  was  brought  before  the  National  Body.  A  motion 
to  lay  the  matter  over  until  the  next  session  was  defeated  by  a  vote 
of  13  to  16.  A  motion  to  adopt  the  resolution  was  then  entertained 
and  the  subject  discussed,  whereupon,  on  an  aye  and  nay  vote,  16 
to  15,  the  Object  that  so  long  had  been  a  "  bone  of  contention," 


UNITED  AMERICAN   MECHANICS  299 

was  stricken  out  and  the  first  real  break  with  the  Senior  Order 
had  culminated,  so  far  as  the  act  of  the  National  Council  was 
concerned.  National  Secretary  Brother  Deemer  then  offered  the 
following : 

Whereas,  This  National  Council  has  voted  to  strike  out  the  Fifth 
Object  of  our  Order,  and 

"  Whereas,  Art.  II,  Sec.  2,  of  the  Constitution  of  this  body,  requires 
that  said  action  must  be  submitted  to  a  vote  of  the  members  of  our 
Order,  therefore,  be  it 

"  Resolved,  That  said  question  be  submitted  to  the  members  of  the 
Order  for  vote  thereon,  at  the  first  meeting  of  each  Council  in  the  month 
of  October  next,  and  the  result  thereon  be  forwarded  to  the  National  Sec- 
retary under  seal  prior  to  November  1." 

In  recognition  of  the  services  of  the  National  Secretary, 
Brother  Deemer,  who  from  the  beginning  had  served  the  Order  in 
an  official  capacity,  the  following  resolution  was  unanimously 
adopted : 

"  Whereas,  Edw.  S.  Deemer  has,  for  a  period  of  ten  years,  faithfully 
served  this  body  as  Secretary,  and 

"  Whereas,  He  has  in  so  many  instances  rendered  invaluable  services 
to  the  Order  at  large  by  trying  to  plant  its  banner  and  principles  wherever 
his  time  and  influence  could  avail;  therefore,  be  it 

"  Resolved,  That  in  view  of  these  services  this  body  confers  upon 
him  the  honors  of  Past  National  Councilor." 

The  Special  Committee  on  Bitual  consisting  of  15  members, 
appointed  at  the  the  last  session,  reported  that  the  number  of 
the  Committee  being  too  large  to  act  with  any  speed,  asked  that  they 
be  discharged  and  a  similar  Committee  of  five  members  be  ap- 
pointed, which  was  agreed  to  and  said  Committee  was  appointed 
by  the  National  Councilor. 

In  the  election  of  officers,  Brother  H.  W.  Lewis,  of  Ohio, 
though  not  present,  was  elected  National  Councilor,  Brother  A.  D. 
DeHaven,  of  Pennsylvania,  was  elected  National  Vice-Councilor, 
and  Bros.  Deemer  and  Hayes  were  reelected  National  Secretary  and 
Treasurer,  respectively.  Following  the  election,  a  letter  from 
Brother  Lewis  was  received  resigning  as  National  Vice-Councilor, 
whereupon,  the  National  Vice-Councilor-elect,  Brother  DeHaven, 
was  elected  to  that  position  in  place  of  Brother  Lewis  and  installed. 
Brother  DeHaven  then  declined  the  office  of  National  Vice-Councilor 
for  the  ensuing  year  to  which  he  had  been  elected  the  day  previous, 
and  another  election  was  held  to  fill  the  vacancies  of  both  National 
Councilor  and  National  Vice-Councilor  for  the  ensuing  year,  the 
result  of  which  Brother  DeHaven  was  unanimously  elected  National 


300  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

Councilor  while  Brother  S.  H.  Crum,  of  New  Jersey,  was  placed 
in  the  Chair  of  National  Vice-Councilor. 

The  other  officers  were  as  follows : 

National  Conductor — George  H.  Greenman,  of  Massachusetts, 
National  Warden — Jno.  J.  Tuers,  of  New  York, 
National  Sentinel — R.  T.  Franck,  of  Maryland. 


RICHMOND,  VA.,  1880 

Richmond,  Virginia,  again  had  the  honor  of  entertaining  the 
National  Council  at  its  Eleventh  Annual  gathering,  June  15,  16 
and  17,  1880.  Twenty-one  members  were  present  representing  a 
total  membership  of  7,394,  as  per  report  of  the  National  Secretary. 

The  most  important  business  of  the  session  was  the  counting 
of  the  vote  of  Subordinate  Councils  upon  the  striking  out  of  the 
Fifth  Object  of  the  Order.  The  result  of  the  count  showed  that 
the  Order  at  large  refused  to  concur  in  the  action  of  the  National 
Body  of  a  year  ago,  therefore  defeating  the  proposition,  delaying  it 
for  two  years.     The  vote  by  states  was  as  follows : 

FOR  AGAINST 

Pennsylvania    144  975 

New   Jersey    239  108 

Maryland 97  11 

New  York   103  23 

Delaware    36  — 

Ohio    76  29 

Massachusetts    42  1 

Vermont    24  — 

resulting  in  1,061   in  favor  of  striking  out  the  Object  and  1,147 
against  the  proposition,  a  majority  of  8G. 

Immediately  after  the  announcement  of  the  result  of  the  vote, 
the  old  question  of  striking  out  the  Object  was  renewed  by  P.  S.  C. 
Adams,  of  New  Jersey,  in  the  following  resolution : 

"  Resolved,  That  we  strike  out  the  '  Fifth  Object '  of  our  Order. 
"  In  the  First  Object  of  our  Order  strike  out  '  American  Youth  '  and 
substitute  '  Americans." 

A  draft  of  an  additional  Object  was  submitted,  to  be  known  as 
the  Sixth  Object,  and  read  as  follows : 

"  To  maintain  the  Public  School  System  of  the  United  States  of 
America,  to  prevent  sectarian  interference  therewith,  and  uphold  the 
reading  of  the  Holy  Bible  therein." 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  301 

Under  the  law,  the  above  resolutions  were  laid  over  until  tho 
next  session  for  consideration. 

A  motion  to  strike  out  of  the  Ritual  the  words  "  this  includes 
the  whole  motto  of  the  Senior  Order,"  was  lost. 

The  Committee  on  Conference  relative  to  the  consolidation  of 
the  two  Orders,  continued  from  the  last  session,  reported  that  no 
further  meetings  of  the  joint  Committee  had  been  held,  neither 
had  they  heard  from  the  Committee  of  the  Senior  Order,  therefore 
asked  to  be  discharged,  which  request  was  granted. 

The  question  of  Life  Insurance  to  be  under  the  supervision 
of  the  Order  had  been  considered  at  the  last  session,  whereupon  a 
Committee  was  appointed  to  formulate  a  code  of  laws,  and  report 
as  to  the  advisability  of  incorporating  the  new  feature  in  the 
organization.  The  Committee  approved  the  plan  and  submitted 
a  code  of  laws  which  were,  with  some  changes,  adopted,  and,  as 
per  amended  motion,  were  submitted  to  the  Subordinate  Councils 
for  a  vote  thereon. 

Officers  for  the  ensuing  year  were  elected  as  follows : 

National  Councilor — S.  H.   Crum,  of  New  Jersey, 
National  Vice-Councilor — Robert  Ogle,  of  Maryland, 
National  Secretary — Edw.   S.  Deemer,  of  Pennsylvania, 
National  Treasurer — Wm.   P.   Hayes,  of  New  Jersey, 
National  Conductor — Geo.  H.   Bartlett,  of  Massachusetts, 
National  Warden — W.  H.  Meseroll,  of  New  Jersey, 
National  Sentinel — N.  H.  Kemp,  of  Maryland. 


HAVERHILL,  MASS.,  1881 

The  Twelfth  Annual  Session  of  the  National  Council  con- 
vened at  Haverhill,  Mass.,  June  20,  1881,  and  continued  in  session 
three  days,  with  29  members  in  attendance.  The  reports  of  the 
officers,  as  found  in  the  proceedings,  did  not  indicate  any  general 
advance  in  the  Order,  while  in  some  sections,  as  Delaware  and 
Indiana,  the  Order  had  died  out,  with  the  exception  of  one  Council 
in  the  former  state.  However,  a  small  increase  was  made  in  nearly 
every  state,  aggregating  328  members  over  the  membership  of  one 
year  previous.  One  new  state  came  under  the  banner  of  the 
Order — Tennessee,  with  one  Council. 

The  report  of  the  Committee  to  count  the  vote  of  the  Subor- 
dinate Councils  relative  to  the  Insurance  Plan,  as  adopted  at  the 


302  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

last  session,  showed  that  the  proposition  was  defeated  by  a  small 
majority  on  the  face  of  the  returns.  The  Committee,  however, 
were  impressed  that  presumptive  fraud,  as  well  as  gross  irregulari- 
ties, showed  themselves  on  the  face  of  the  returns,  and  after  casting 
out  the  irregular  votes,  claimed  that  the  Plan  had  a  majority  of 
36  in  favor  of  its  adoption.  But  it  was  the  opinion  of  the  Com- 
mittee that  another  vote  should  be  taken,  which  was  agreed  to. 

A  resolution  to  strike  out  the  name  of  the  Order  and  substi- 
tute "  Independent  Order  of  Americans,"  was  referred  to  the  Com- 
mittee on  Eevision  of  the  Order,"  a  new  Committee  adopted  by  the 
National  Council,  as  per  recommendation  of  the  National  Councilor. 

The  question  as  to  striking  out  the  Fifth  Object  of  the  Order, 
laid  over  from  last  session,  was  brought  up  for  consideration. 
A  motion  to  refer  same  to  the  Committee  on  the  Eevision  of  the 
Order  was  not  agreed  to.  A  motion  to  strike  out  was  then  made, 
and  on  an  aye  and  nay  vote,  the  National  Body  for  the  second  time 
declared  itself  in  favor  of  striking  out  the  Object,  there  being  22 
in  favor  and  9  not  in  favor.  The  matter  was  again  referred  back 
to  the  Subordinate  Councils  for  ratification  or  rejection. 

The  proposition  offered  at  the  last  session  to  amend  the  First 
Object  by  striking  out  "  American  Youth  "  and  insert  "Americans," 
was  also  agreed  to.  Favorable  action  was  also  taken  on  the  pro- 
posed Sixth  Object : 

"  To  maintain  the  Public  School  System  of  the  United  States  of 
America,  to  prevent  sectarian  interference  therewith,  and  uphold  the  read- 
ing of  the  Holy  Bible  therein," 

with  the  exception  of  all  after  the  words  "  therewith,"  and  the 
insertion  of  the  word  "  and "  after  the  word  "  America,"  which 
amendments  were  agreed  to.  Both  proposed  changes  were  also 
referred  to  the  Subordinate  Councils  for  their  vote  in  September. 

It  is  apparent  that  by  striking  out  the  words  "  and  uphold  the 
reading  of  the  Holy  Bible  therein  "  from  the  original  resolution, 
that  the  Juniors  of  1881  were  not  as  enthusiastic  in  having  the 
Bible  read  in  the  public  schools  as  were  the  Native  Americans  in 
1844,  who  adopted  as  one  object  in  their  code  of  principles  the 
following : 

"  We  maintain  that  the  Bible,  without  comment,  is  not  sectarian ; 
that  it  is  the  fountain-head  of  morality  and  all  good  government,  and 
should  be  used  in  the  public  schools  as  a  reading-book." 

The  following  were  elected  to  serve  in  their  respective  positions 
for  the  year  to  come : 


UNITED  AMERICAN   MECHANICS  303 

National  Councilor — Robert  Ogle,  of  Maryland, 

National  Vice-Councilor — Geo.   H.   Greenman,   of   Massachusetts, 

National  Secretary — Edw.  S.  Deemer,  of  Pennsylvania, 

National  Treasurer — Wm.   P.   Hayes,  of  New  Jersey, 

National  Conductor — Jas.   Stewart,   of  New  York, 

National  Warden — N.   H.   Kemp,   of  Maryland, 

National  Sentinel — Geo.  W.  Elbert,  of  New  Jersey. 

The  generous  hospitality  accorded  the  National  Council  by 
Enterprise  Council,  No.  1,  of  Haverhill,  will  linger  with  pleasant 
memories  as  long  as  there  lives  a  member  who  attended  the  session. 
One  afternoon  a  carriage-ride  was  given  the  members  of  the  Na- 
tional Body  to  the  birthplace  of  Whittier,  and  other  objects  of 
interest.  A  day's  excursion  on  the  Merrimac  and  the  ocean  was  a 
part  of  the  program,  with  a  banquet  at  Eagle  Island  as  a  fitting 
close  to  the  entertainment  extended  by  the  brethren  of  Haverhill. 
One  who  has  for  years  been  a  factor  in  New  England  Juniorism — 
Bro.  A.  L.  Chase — was  a  member  of  the  Eeception  Committee. 


NEW   YORK,   1882 

It  required  three  days — June  20-22,  1882 — for  the  National 
Council  to  transact  its  business  at  the  Thirteenth  Annual  Session, 
held  in  New  York  City.  Forty  members  were  in  attendance,  the 
largest  number  of  any  previous  session. 

From  the  officer's  report  it  was  shown  that  the  American 
Legion  was  prospering,  there  being  14  Commanderies  already  or- 
ganized and  doing  a  good  work.  Our  esteemed  Brother  Ogle,  Na- 
tional Councilor,  submitted  to  the  National  Body  an  exceptionally 
well  prepared  report.  His  pathetic  reference  to  the  death  of 
President  Garfield  was  very  befitting,  and  certainly  must  have 
struck  a  responsive  chord  in  every  heart.  Since  the  National  Coun- 
cil at  St.  Louis  in  1901  decided  to  meet  biennially,  it  is  fair  to 
state  that  Brother  Ogle,  at  this  session,  22  years  before,  recom- 
mended biennial  sessions,  which  recommendation,  however,  was  not 
adopted.  The  report  of  the  National  Secretary  showed  a  continued 
increase  in  membership,  there  being  9,500  members. 

At  the  last  session  National  Councilor  S.  H.  Crum  submitted 
a  recommendation  asking  for  a  Committee  to  be  appointed, 

"  To  prepare  a  plan  for  a  revision  of  the  Order,  and  that  they  report 
to  the  National  Councilor  sixty  days  before  the  next  session,  and  he  have 
a  general  outline  of  the  plan  printed,  and  a  copy  forwarded  to  each  mem- 
ber of  this  Council  at  least  thirty  days  before  the  session." 


304  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

The  recommendation  having  been  approved  and  a  Committee 
appointed  in  conformity  therewith,  all  subjects  relating  to  changes 
in  the  Order,  either  of  name,  Objects,  Eitual  and  laws,  were  re- 
ferred to  said  Committee,  as  well  as  suggestions  of  changes  desired 
from  anyone  in  the  jurisdiction. 

National  Secretary  Deemer,  as  Chairman  of  Committee  on 
Revision  of  the  Order,  submitted  his  report  on  the  subjects  referred 
to  the  Committee,  and  at  the  same  time  gave  his  reasons  for  his 
approval  or  disapproval  of  any  proposed  change  in  the  economy 
of  the  Order. 

Relative  to  striking  out  the  name  of  the  Order  and  inserting 
"  Independent  Order  of  Americans,"  laid  over  from  last  session, 
Brother  Deemer  disapproved  the  proposed  change,  giving  his  reason 
therefor,  which  can  be  found  under  chapter,  "  Name — Signifi- 
cance^— Proposed  Changes."  The  National  Council,  in  the  Com- 
mittee of  the  Whole,  agreed  to  not  change  the  name,  which  action 
was  concurred  in  by  the  National  Body. 

P.  N.  C.  Crum  submitted  to  the  Committee  the  following  pro- 
posed changes  and  additional  features : 

1.  Change  the  name  to  American  Legion. 

2.  Change  the  Ritual,  making  three  degrees — Subordinate,  State, 
and  National — all  to  be  conferred  by  the  Subordinate  Councils;  a  fee  to 
be  paid  to  the  State  Council  for  all  State  and  National  degrees  conferred, 
and  the  State  Council  to  pay  a  fee  to  the  National  Council  for  all  National 
degrees  conferred. 

3.  Make  the  age  of  admission  18  to  45. 

4.  Adopt  an  insurance  plan  as  one  of  the  Objects  of  the  Order. 

In  the  Committee  of  the  Whole,  all  the  above  suggestions  were 
disapproved  and  the  National  Body  concurred. 

The  Committee  to  count  the  vote  of  the  Subordinate  Councils 
on  the  various  questions  referred  to  them  made  their  report  as 
below : 

1.  To  amend  the  First  Object,  by  striking  out  "  American 
Youth  "  and  insert  "  Americans,"  the  vote  was  1,745  in  favor  of 
the  change  and  958  against,  making  a  majority  in  favor  of  the 
amendment  of  787. 

2.  The  Sixth  Object. 

"  To  maintain  the  Public  School  System  of  the  United  States  of 
America,   and  to  prevent  sectarian  interference  therewith." 

The  vote  in  favor  of  this  proposition  was  2,180 ;  against,  480, 
making  a  majority  in  favor  of  1,700. 


UNITED  AMERICAN   MECHANICS  305 

3.  To  strike  out  the  Fifth  Object. 

"  To  prepare  the  youth  of  America  to  become  members  of  tbe 
0.  U.  A.M.  when  they  arrive  at  the  proper  age." 

The  vote  in  favor  of  striking  out  was  1,036;  against,  1,068, 
making  a  majority  in  favor  of  striking  out  the  Object  of  568. 
Thus,  after  years  of  unrest  and  agitation,  the  Jr.  0.  U.  A.  M.  be- 
came, in  a  true  sense,  an  independent  organization,  and  from  (his 
time  the  Order,  no  longer  handicapped  by  the  Fifth  Object,  took 
on  new  life  and  within  a  few  years  became  a  power  in  the  land. 

4.  The  Insurance  feature,  however,  met  with  defeat  by  a  vote 
of  1,264  to  1,468,  or  a  majority  of  204  against  the  plan  proposed. 
The  defeat  of  this  proposition  brought  into  existence  the  Funeral 
Benefit  Association,  with  headquarters  at  Philadelphia,  an  organ- 
ization independent  of  the  National  Council  or  any  State  Council, 
or  rather,  a  voluntary  association  of  Subordinate  Councils,  and  was 
organized  July  1,  1882,  with  G.  Howell  Arthur  as  President  and 
Edw.  S.  Deemer  as  Secretary.  Ten  cents  per  member  was  col- 
lected from  Councils  having  membership  in  the  Association  and 
$250  wras  paid  on  the  death  of  a  member. 

Two  resolutions  bearing  on  the  Kitual  were  presented  and 
agreed  to.  One  had  reference  to  the  preparation  of  a  form  for 
public  installation,  and  offered  $25  for  the  best  form.  The  other 
resolution  was  for  the  preparation  of  a  National  Council  Degree. 

The  election  of  officers  resulted  as  follows : 

National  Councilor — Geo.  H.   Greenman,  of  Massachusetts, 
National  Vice-Councilor — Evan  G.  Badger,  of  Pennsylvania, 
National  Secretary — Edw.   S.  Deemer,  of  Pennsylvania, 
National  Treasurer — Wm.   P.   Hayes,  of  New  Jersey, 
National  Conductor — Harry   Krausz,  of   Maryland, 
National  Warden — J.   M.   F.   Perkins,   of   Massachusetts, 
National  Sentinel — Geo.  Coles,  of  New  York. 


CHAPTER  XX 
SESSIONS    OF   THE    NATIONAL   COUNCIL  (Continued) 

PHILADELPHIA,  1883 

THE  Fourteenth  Annual  Session  of  the  National  Council  was 
held  in  the  City  of  Philadelphia,  June  19-21,  1883.  Be- 
tween 30  and  40  members  were  present,  representing  six  states, 
viz.:  Pennsylvania,  New  Jersey,  Maryland,  New  York,  Massa- 
chusetts and  Ohio,  and,  including  Councils  under  the  jurisdiction 
of  the  National  Council,  about  140  Councils  and  11,686  members. 

Several  forms  for  the  Public  Installation  of  Officers  were 
submitted  and  referred  to  the  Committee  on  Ritual.  Subsequently, 
the  Committee  reported  in  favor  of  one  form,  with  certain  changes 
and  additions,  but  suggested  that  the  National  Council  should  not 
be  too  hasty  in  the  adoption  of  any  Ritual  for  Public  Installation, 
and  recommended  that  action  thereon  be  laid  over  until  next 
session,  which  recommendation  was  agreed  to. 

The  National  Councilor,  Brother  Geo.  H.  Greenman,  sug- 
gested in  his  report  the  propriety  of  "  engaging  a  competent  per- 
son "  to  extend  the  Order  in  localities  where  the  organization 
does  not  exist.  This  was  the  initiatory  recommendation  looking 
toward  the  appointment  of  a  National  Organizer,  but  the  National 
Body  did  not  approve  the  recommendation. 

Representative  Elbert,  of  New  Jersey,  offered  the  following 
amendment  which,  under  the  rule,  was  laid  over : 

"  Amend  Objects  of  the  Order  by  adding  the  following  to  the 
Fifth  Object:  '  And  uphold  the  reading  of  the  Holy  Bible  therein/  " 

The  reader  of  this  history  will  recall  that  at  the  last  session 
of  the  National  Body,  the  Fifth  Object  was  stricken  out  and  the  new 
Sixth  Object  adopted  at  same  session  became  the  Fifth  Object. 

But  little  business  of  general  importance  was  transacted  at 
this  session.     Two  or  three  items  might  be  noted: 

1.  The  obligation  of  Senior  members  was  stricken  from  the 
Ritual. 

2.  An  amendment  that  the  words  "  American  Mechanics  and 
Workingmen  "  be  stricken  from  the  charter  and  the  word  "  Ameri- 
cans "  be  substituted. 

306 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  307 

In  the  election  of  officers,  the  following  were  named  : 

National  Councilor — Evan  G.  Badger,  of  Pennsylvania, 

National  Vice-Councilor — W.  H.  Meseroll,  of  New  .Jersey, 

National  Secretary — Edw.   S.  Deemer,  of  Pennsylvania, 

National  Treasurer — J.  Adam  Sohl,  of   Maryland, 

National  Conductor — (.'has.   D.  Kidd,  Jr.,  of  Ohio, 

National  Warden — Jos.   P.   Wills,   of   Massachusetts, 

National  Sentinel — Jno.    E.   Armstrong,   of    Pennsylvania. 

Beginning  with  this  session,  and  for  more  than  20  years,  as 
Treasurer  of  the  National  Body,  Brother  J.  Adam  Sohl  was  to  give 
the  National  Council  his  valuable  and  conscientious  services.  For 
many  years  already  he  had  been  a  conspicuous  factor  in  the  highest 
legislative  body  of  the  Order,  having  been  honored  at  one  session 
as  its  presiding  officer. 

The  first  State  Councilor  of  Pennsylvania  in  1860,  in  fact  the 
first  State  Councilor  of  the  Order,  Brother  Jno.  E.  Fanshawe,  was 
present  and  addressed  the  National  Council.  Brother  Fanshawe, 
as  noted  in  another  chapter,  was  Councilor  of  Washington  Council, 
No.  1,  when  the  additional  Councils  were  formed  that  made  up 
the  State  Council  of  Pennsylvania. 


GEORGETOWN",  D.  C,  1884 

For  the  fifteenth  time  the  National  Body  met  in  annual 
session,  and.  the  place  of  its  meeting  was  Georgetown,  within  the 
District  of  Columbia,  June  19  and  20,  1884,  with  less  than  30  mem- 
bers present.  The  report  of  the  National  Secretary  showed  142 
Councils  and  12,190  members. 

The  first  item  of  business,  after  the  report  of  the  officers, 
was  the  consideration  of  the  amendment  to  the  Fifth  Object,  "  and 
uphold  the  reading  of  the  Holy  Bible  therein."  The  amendment 
was  approved  and  the  question  of  ratification  was  placed  before 
the  Subordinate  Councils. 

The  question  of  a  form  for  the  Public  Installation  of  Officers 
was  considered,  whereupon,  a  motion  was  made  to  postpone  further 
action  for  one  year.  A  substitute,  however,  was  offered  that  the 
National  Council  accept  Form  No.  2  and  pay  the  author  $25,  and 
the  same  was  agreed  to.  After  corrections  and  alterations  were 
made,  a  motion  to  adopt,  as  amended,  was  defeated  by  a  vote  of 
2  ayes  and  23  nays.  A  motion  to  reconsider,  however,  was  carried 
by  an  aye  and  nay  vote  of  17  to  10,  and  Form  No.  ?  was  referred 
back  to  the  author  for  corrections. 


308  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

Again  the  change  of  name  was  brought  before  the  National 
Body  in  the  following  resolution  which,  however,  was  not  adopted, 
there  being  but  4  in  favor  of  a  change  and  22  against : 

"  Believing  that  the  time  lias  come  when  our  Order  no  longer  con- 
sists of  mechanics  entirely,  but  of  citizens  of  all  occupations  and  classes 
and  further,  that  our  present  name  is  a  serious  obstacle  to  our  further 
progress,  we  would  offer  the  following: 

"Resolved,  That  the  name  of  the  Order  be  changed;  the  same  to 
be  submitted  to  a  vote  of  the  entire  Order  on  the  last  meeting  night  in 
September,  1884." 

The    session    closed    with    the    installation    of   the    following 

officers : 

National  Councilor — W.  H.  Meseroll,  of  New  Jersey, 

National  Vice-Councilor — Harry  Krausz,   of  Maryland, 

National  Secretary — Edw.   S.  Deemer,  of  Pennsylvania, 

National  Treasurer — J.  Adam  Sohl,  of  Maryland, 

National  Conductor — D.   B.   Conaway,  of  Pennsylvania, 

National  Warden — Geo.  W.   Elbert,  of  New  Jersey, 

National  Sentinel — Geo.  W.  Hofseas,  of  New  Jersey. 


HARRISBURG,   PA.,    1885 

The  National  Council  met  in  Sixteenth  Annual  Session,  June 
16,  1885,  in  the  City  of  Harrisburg,  Pa.,  his  Excellency,  Eobert  E. 
Pattison,  Governor  of  the  Commonwealth,  in  an  eloquent  address, 
welcomed  the  National  Body  to  the  State  of  Pennsylvania. 

The  report  of  the  Secretary  showed  continued  increase  in 
Councils  and  members,  there  being  at  the  ending  of  the  calendar 
year,  December  31,  1884,  156  Councils  and  13,567  members.  The 
Councils  were  reported  as  worth  $155,109.66.  They  paid  out 
for  benefits  the  previous  year,  $26,521.  No  report  from  Massa- 
chusetts was  received,  the  State  Council  having  disbanded  owing 
to  one  of  the  Councils  withdrawing  from  the  Order,  as  the  result 
of  a  hasty  action  on  the  unofficial  returns  of  the  vote  relative  to 
the  amendment  of  the  Fifth  Object,  in  incorporating  the  reading 
of  the  Holy  Bible  in  the  public  schools. 

The  Committee  to  count  the  vote  on  the  amendment  to  the 
Fifth  Object  reported  that  1,694  had  been  cast  in  favor  of  the 
amendment  and  783  against,  thereby  adopting  the  amendment  by 
a  majority  of  901.  The  Fifth  Object,  as  amended,  was  made  to 
read  as  follows : 

'•'  To  uphold  the  Public  School  System  in  the  United  States  of 
America,  and  prevent  sectarian  interference  therewith,  and  uphold  the 
raiding  of  the  Holy  Bible  therein." 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  309 

The  old  and  hackneyed  theme  of  change  of  name  was  again 
introduced,  first,  by  a  communication  from  the  State  Council  of 
Ohio,  expressive  of  its  wishes,  and  second,  from  the  members  of 
the  State  Council  of  New  Jersey,  asking  for  an  amendment  by 
which  "  American  Legion  "  could  be  substituted  for  the  present 
name.  The  National  Body  again  expressed  its  sentiments  against 
any  change  in  defeating  the  proposition  by  a  vote  of  ayes  9,  nays  16. 

The  following  was  submitted  by  the  members  of  the  National 
Council  from  Pennsylvania: 

"  By  instruction  from  the  State  Council  of  Pennsylvania,  we  offer 
the  following:  Strike  out  from  Sec.  1,  Art.  XI,  General  Laws,  the  word 
'  White.'  " 

Again  the  National  Council  recorded  its  vote  against  the 
proposition  by  a  vote  of  8  ayes  to  17  nays.  The  form  of  Public 
Installation,  which  had  been  referred  back  to  its  author  for  cor- 
rections, was  considered,  but  failed  of  adoption  by  a  vote  of  3  ayes 
to  22  nays. 

Officers  for  the  ensuing  year  were  elected  and  installed  as 

follows : 

National  Councilor — Harry  Krausz,  of  Maryland, 

National   Vice-Councilor — Harry   C.   Hinchman,   of   Pennsylvania, 

National  Secretary — Edw.  S.  Deemer,  of  Pennsylvania, 

National  Treasurer — J.  Adam   Sohl,  of  Maryland, 

National  Conductor — Geo.  W.  Hofseas,  of  New  Jersey, 

National  Warden — Jas.  T.   Disney,   of  Maryland, 

National  Sentinel — Win.   R.   Stroh,   of   Pennsylvania. 


RICHMOND,    VA.,    1886 

On  June  15,  1886,  the  National  Body  met  in  the  historic  City 
of  Richmond,  Va.,  it  being  the  Seventeenth  Annual  Session. 
Thirty  members  were  in  attendance,  representing  the  following 
states:  Pennsylvania,  New  Jersey,  Maryland,  New  York,  Ohio 
and  Virginia,  the  latter  having  had  a  State  Council  instituted  since 
the  last  session.  The  Governor  of  the  State,  General  Fitzhugh 
Lee,  whose  courage  and  loyalty  in  the  Spanish-American  War  is 
readily  recalled  by  every  Junior  and  patriot,  extended  to  the  mem- 
bers of  the  National  Council,  on  the  part  of  the  State  of  Virginia, 
a  most  hearty  welcome.  Subsequently,  by  arrangement,  the  Na- 
tional Council,  as  a  body,  called  upon  the  Governor  at  his  mansion 
and  were  most  royally  received. 

Up  to  this  time  the  "  Proceedings  "  of  the  National  Counci1 
had  been  published  in  serial  form  in  the  Junior  American  Mechanic 


310  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

the  so-called  official  organ  of  the  Order.  In  conformity  with  the 
recommendation  of  the  National  Councilor,  the  Proceedings  were 
ordered  to  be  printed  in  pamphlet  form,  and  500  copies  were  issued. 

The  report  of  the  National  Secretary  showed  that  the  receipts 
of  the  year  were  $-106.95 ;  that  the  State  Council  of  Delaware  had 
ceased  to  exist ;  that  there  were  but  six  State  Councils  in  the  Union 
and  but  one  Council  under  the  jurisdiction  of  the  National  Coun- 
cil, viz.:  Massachusetts,  Enterprise,  No.  1;  that  there  were  171 
Councils  in  the  Order  comprising  a  membership  of  15,299,  being  a 
gain  of  1,932  over  the  previous  year.  Brother  Deemer,  with  much 
care,  presented  the  plan  of  The  Junior  Mechanic  Funeral  Benefit 
Association,  then  about  four  years  old,  and  The  American  Bene- 
ficial Association,  the  latter  plan  having  been  submitted  by  Wm.  H. 
Miers,  the  aim  of  which  was  to  pay  a  sick  brother  one  dollar  a  day 
during  the  continuation  of  his  sickness.  Both  plans  were  endorsed 
by  the  National  Body. 

The  election  of  officers  was  practically  unanimous,  there  being 
but  one  contest,  that  of  National  Vice-Councilor.  The  new  code 
of  laws  adopted  created  an  additional  office  of  Sentinel,  making 
two,  Inside  and  Outside  Sentinels.  The  officers  for  the  ensuing 
year  were  as  follows : 

National  Councilor — Harry  C.  Hinchinan,  of  Pennsylvania, 
National  Vice-Councilor — Geo.  W.  Elbert,  of  New  Jersey, 
National  Secretary — Edw.  S.  Deemer,  of  Pennsylvania, 
National  Treasurer — J.  Adam  Sold,  of  Maryland, 
National  Conductor — W.  J.  Morristy,  of  New  York, 
National  Warden — Chas.  M.  Angle,  of  Virginia, 
National  Inside  Sentinel — W.  E.  Newell,  of  Ohio, 
National  Outside  Sentinel — John  R.  Marlin,  of  Pennsylvania. 

Other  items  of  business  acted  upon  were  the  following : 

A  resolution  emanating  from  the  State  Council  of  New  Jersey, 
to  strike  out  the  name  of  the  Order,  met  its  usual  fate — death. 

A  form  of  prayer  for  the  opening  of  Council  meetings  was 
submitted  by  Geo.  W.  Elbert,  quite  lengthy,  which  was  adopted, 
providing,  however,  that  the  use  of  same  be  optional. 

A  revised  code  of  laws  was  adopted. 


BALTIMORE,    MD.,    1887 

From  thirty  to  forty  members  of  the  National  Council  met 
in  annual  session  in  the  City  of  Baltimore,  Maryland,  June  21  and 
22,  1887.  A  marked  feature  of  this  meeting  was  the  address  of 
welcome  extended  to  the  members  of  the  National  Body  by  Brother 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  311 

F.  A.  Buschuian,  then  State  Councilor  of  Maryland.  The  address, 
which  found  a  place  in  the  Proceedings,  most  certainly  deserves  a 
place  in  the  archives  of  the  fraternity;  and  if  space  in  this  volume 
was  not  so  limited,  the  author  would  gladly  publish  it  in  full, 
or  portions  therefrom.  Beautiful  in  rhetoric,  unique  in  its  refer- 
ences to  each  state,  and  so  apt  in  quotations,  the  address  stands 
as  a  gem  in  oratory.  It  is  with  pleasure,  that  at  this  writing  (Sep- 
tember, 1907,)  Brother  Buschman  is  still  with  us,  as  earnest  and 
active  a  patriot  as  ever,  and  has  honored  the  National  Council 
with  his  presence  at  many  of  its  sessions. 

The  year  previous,  according  to  the  reports  of  the  National 
officers,  had  been  one  of  great  advance,  so  far  as  an  increase  in 
membership  was  concerned,  there  being  a  gain  of  nearly  5,000, 
making  a  total  membership  of  nearly  20,000.  The  year,  however, 
did  not  show  any  additional  State  Councils  organized,  while  but  two 
Councils  were  under  the  jurisdiction  of  the  National  Body,  Massa- 
chusetts, with  No.  1,  at  Haverhill,  and  one  at  Omaha,  Nebraska, 
instituted  during  the  year.  In  suggesting  plans  by  which  the  Order 
might  be  extended,  National  Secretary  Edw.  S.  Deemer,  spoke 
of  the  advisability  of  sending  an  organizer  into  the  field,  if  one 
capable  could  be  found.  He  also  referred  to  the  plan  adopted 
by  the  State  Council  of  Pennsylvania,  that  of  giving  a  premium  of 
$20  to  the  organizer  of  a  Council,  and  the  plan  had  added  40  Coun- 
cils to  the  Order  in  the  state,  and  he  recommended  that  the 
National  Body  offer  a  premium  of  $25  for  every  council  instituted, 
and  when  three  councils  in  a  state  (where  there  was  no  State 
Council),  were  organized,  let  there  be  a  State  Council  created.  The 
Committee  to  whom  was  referred  the  report  of  the  National  Secre- 
tary, approved  the  recommendation  relative  to  granting  premiums, 
but  disapproved  the  institution  of  a  State  Council  with  but  three 
Councils.  Tiie  report  of  the  Committee  was  concurred  in  by  the 
National  Bodf. 

A  Special  Committee  from  the  National  Council,  O.  U.A.M., 
the  object  of  which  was  to  seek  closer  relationship  between  the  two 
Orders,  presented  the  following  resolution : 

"  Resolved,  That  the  committee  in  tendering  the  most  fraternal 
greeting  of  the  National  Council,  O.  U.  A.M.,  to  the  National  Council, 
Jr.  O.  U.  A.  M.,  in  their  Session  assembled,  in  Baltimore,  Md.,  present  also 
assurances  of  the  most  fraternal  feelings  on  the  part  of  the  National 
Council ;  that  they  deplore  the  alienation  of  relations  now  existing  between 
the  two  Orders,  and  earnestly  hope  that  measures  may  be  adopted  by 
which  this  unfortunate  state  of  things  may  at  the  earliest  possible  future 
be  removed." 


312  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

The  report  of  the  Committee  was  received,  and  at  their  request, 
a  similar  Committee  was  appointed  to  confer  with  the  Committee 
of  the  Senior  Order,  consisting  of  Brothers  John  W.  Calver,  J. 
Adam  Sohl  and  Eobert  Carson. 

A  resolution  offered  by  the  representatives  of  New  York  and 
Ohio,  that  the  name  "  Jr.  0.  U.  A.  M."  be  stricken  out  and  insert 
"  United  Sons  of  America,"  was  laid  over. 

A  new  Eitual  was  presented,  but  as  it  provided  Degrees,  the 
National  Council,  by  motion,  dispensed  with  any  further  consid- 
eration of  the  question.  A  motion,  however,  to  strike  out  of  the 
Eitual  the  words  "  right  or  wrong,  but  still  our  country,"  was 
adopted. 

The  custom  of  presenting  the  retiring  National  Councilor 
with  a  gold  emblem  was,  by  resolution,  adopted  at  this  session. 

The  movement  that  was  to  place  the  Jr.  0.  U.  A.  M.  in  the 
forefront  of  the  battle  for  restricted  immigration,  had  its  birth 
in  this  session.  As  per  resolution  offered,  a  committee,  con- 
sisting of  H.  J.  Deily  and  A.  D.  DeHaven,  of  Pennsylvania,  and 
Walter  E.  Orange,  of  Virginia,  were  appointed  to  draw  up  a  Memor- 
ial to  Congress  praying  for  the  enactment  of  stricter  laws  and 
their  enforcement  relative  to  immigration.  Frcm  this  time,  in  a 
greater  or  less  degree,  the  Order  was  committed  to  this  feature  of 
its  work. 

As  the  result  of  the  election,  the  following  officers  were  in- 
stalled for  the  ensuing  year: 

National  Councilor — Geo.  W.  Elbert,  of  New  Jersey, 

National  Vice-Councilor — Walter   E.   Orange,   of   Virginia, 

National  Secretary — Edw.  S.  Deerner,  of  Pennsylvania   (Five  years). 

National  Treasurer — J.  Adam  Sohl,  of  Maryland, 

National  Conductor — G.   W.  Adams,  of  New  York, 

National  Warden — W.   H.  Klusman,  of  Ohio, 

National  Inside  Sentinel — Geo.  L.  Hoffman,  of   Pennsylvania, 

National  Outside  Sentinel — John  R.  Marl  in,  of  Pennsylvania. 

In  conformity  with  the  action  of  the  National  Body  at  this 
session,  amending  the  section  of  the  Constitution  relating  to  the 
elective  officers  of  the  National  Council,  the  office  of  National 
Secretary  was  made  for  a  term  of  five  years. 


NEW  TOEK,   N.   T.,   1888 

The  Twentieth  Annual  Session  of  the  National  Council  was 
held  in  New  Y^ork  City,  June  19  and  20,  1888.  The  attendance 
was  the  largest  of  any  previous  session,  and  the  reports  of  the 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  313 

officers  showed  a  marked  increase  in  interest  throughout  the  Order 
as  well  as  in  new  iields  occupied.  The  National  Councilor  in  his 
report  stated: 

"  To-day  our  Order  is  planted  from  Plymouth  Rock  to  the  Golden 
Gate  of  the  Pacific." 

During  the  year  the  State  Council  of  Massachusetts  resumed 
business  and  was  represented  at  the  session.  The  Order  secured 
a  foothold  in  several  states  and  Councils  were  organized  in  North 
Carolina,  New  Hampshire,  Texas,  Indiana,  West  Virginia,  Cali- 
fornia, Illinois  and  Delaware,  although  in  some  of  the  above  named 
states.  Councils  formerly  existed  but  were  permitted  to  die,  Dela- 
ware and  Indiana  having  had  State  Councils.  State  Councilor  Geo. 
W.  Elbert  had  visited  several  states  during  the  year,  instilling 
new  life  into  the  older  Councils  and  instituting  new  Councils, 
among  which  were  Wills  Point  Council,  No.  1,  Texas,  and  Man- 
zanita  Council,  No.  1,  at  Petaluma,  California.  Brother  Elbert 
spoke  in  the  highest  terms  of  the  character  of  the  membership  of 
these  two  Councils. 

The  National  Secretary  reported  19  Councils  as  being  under 
the  jurisdiction  of  the  National  Council,  a  gain  of  17  since  the  last 
session,  "  an  event  without  precedent  in  our  Order."  Brother 
Deemer  spoke  of  the  wonderful  increase  made  in  Pennsylvania, 
stating  that  there  were  250  Councils  and  30,000  members  alone 
in  that  state.  While  much  credit  for  the  advance  in  the  Order 
belongs  to  Brother  Elbert,  however,  it  is  due  to  state  that  the  times 
were  prosperous,  with  a  strong  American  sentiment  abroad,  which 
had  much  to  do  with  the  progress  made.  While  the  tabulated 
statement,  made  up  December  31,  1887,  did  not  indicate  the  great 
increase  made  in  Pennsylvania,  yet  it  was  the  opinion  of  the  Na- 
tional Secretary,  that  at  the  time  of  the  meeting  of  the  National 
Body  there  were  nearly  37,000  members  in  the  entire  Order.  A 
large  advance  was  shown  in  the  per  capita  tax,  for  many  years 
termed  "  Percentage,"  there  being  $1,847.78  paid  into  the  treasury, 
of  which  amount,  Pennsylvania  furnished  $1,469.52. 

-  The  Committee  to  confer  with  a  similar  Committee  of  the 
O.  TJ.  A.  M.  reported  that  there  was  a  meeting  of  the  joint  commit- 
tee, and  "  after  careful  deliberation  and  interchange  of  opinions, 
lasting  several  hours,  we  concluded,  whilst  consoli elation  was  not 
possible,  we  thought,  a  more  fraternal  relation  between  the  two 
Orders  would  be  desirable."  By  virtue  of  an  appointment  of  the 
National  Council,  O.  TJ.  A.  M.,  Dr.  Piper  presented  the  fraternal 
greetings  of  the  Senior  Order  to  the  National  Body. 


314  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

The  National  Secretary  submitted  a  "  Declaration  of  Prin- 
ciples/' declaring  the  Jr.  0.  U.  A.  M.  "  a  patriotic,  secret,  bene- 
ficial association,  with  love  of  country  for  its  chief  cornerstone  " ; 
that  it  was  not  a  labor  organization  nor  political,  neither  was  it 
sectarian,  but  accorded  to  every  man  the  liberty  to  worship  God 
according  to  the  dictates  of  his  conscience.  The  "  Declaration," 
however,  was  adopted  by  a  bare  majority,  the  vote  being  ayes  19, 
nays  18. 

It  was  agreed  by  the  National  Body,  that  in  addition  to  the 
questions  asked  of  a  candidate  in  the  ante-room  by  tbe  Jr.  P.  C, 
the  following  be  included : 

"  Do  you  promise  to  maintain  the  Public  School  System  of  the 
United  States  of  America,  and  prevent  sectarian  interference  therewith, 
and  uphold  the  reading  of  the  Holy  Bible  therein." 

The  question  of  change  of  name,  laid  over  from  last  session, 
substituting  "  United  Sons  of  America  "  for  "  Jr.  0.  U.  A.  M.", 
was  defeated  after  a  motion  to  insert  "  Order  of  United  Americans  " 
instead.  The  "  change  of  name "  seems  to  have  been  "  in  the 
air,"  as  immediately  following  the  failure  of  the  above  proposition, 
another  resolution  was  offered  and  laid  over  for  a  year  under  the 
rule,  that  the  National  Constitution  be  so  changed  as  to  strike  out 
the  words  "  Junior  Order  of  United  American  Mechanics  "  and  in- 
sert "  Independent  Order  of  United  Americans." 

The  officers  elected  were  as  follows: 

National  Councilor — Walter  E.   Orange,  of  Virginia, 

National  Vice-Councilor — Wm.  H.   Stroh,  of  Pennsylvania, 

National  Treasurer — J.  Adam  Sohl,  of  Maryland, 

National  Conductor — Geo.   W.   Hofseas,  of  New  Jersey, 

National  Warden — M.  Zeb.  Percival,  of  Virginia, 

National  Inside  Sentinel — Jno.  S.  Carson,  of  New  Hampshire, 

National  Outside  Sentinel — H.  H.  Bair,  of  Pennsylvania. 


HAVERHILL,  MASS.,  1889 

The  National  Council,  for  the  second  time,  convened  at  Haver - 
bill,  Massachusetts,  June  18,  1S89,  with  46  members  in  attendance. 
Entering  upon  the  third  decade  of  its  history,  the  National  Body 
was  on  the  threshold  of  an  era  of  marvelous  growth  as  well  as  of 
great  achievements.  The  names  of  many  brothers  are  found  in 
the  Proceedings  of  this  session,  who,  for  two  epochs  or  decades 
had  been  in  the  forefront  of  the  Order,  and  many  of  them  to  con- 
tinue as  factors  in  the  future  history  of  the  organization.     Among 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  315 

those  might  be  named:  Brothers  Calver,  Deemer,  Arthur  and  Sibbs, 
a  quartette  from  Pennsjdvania  who  were  present  at  the  Twenty- 
first  Annual  Session,  the  first  two  being  at  the  First  Session,  who, 
with  Brother  Arthur,  were  present  at  the  Thirty-seventh  Annual 
Session  at  Nashville,  Tenn.,  in  1905.  The  roll-call  showed  that 
others  were  present  at  this  session  who  either  had  been  or  were 
active  in  the  work  of  the  Order  and  were  to  become  conspicuous 
figures,  and  are  still  with  us,  faithful  and  enthusiastic  as  ever, 
although  eighteen  years  have  passed,  viz. :  Chase,  of  Massachusetts ; 
Buschman,  of  Maryland;  Bichter,  of  Ohio;  Shaler,  of  Illinois,  but 
now  of  Pennsylvania ;  McCully,  W.  C.  Evans,  P.  S.  C.  H.  L. 
Williams  and  Dr.  W.  H.  Painter,  of  Pennsylvania. 

It  must  have  given  Brother  Deemer  great  satisfaction  to  sub- 
mit his  annual  report.  The  year  previous  had  shown  great  advance 
all  along  the  line,  especially  in  Pennsylvania.  Beferring  to  his 
tabulated  report,  closing,  however,  December  31,  the  year  preced- 
ing, the  National  Secretary  says: 

"  This  is  a  grand  showing.  Every  state  but  one  ( New  York ) 
shows  a  gratifying  increase  in  members  and  finances.  .  .  .  We  have 
increased  over  12,000  members,  over  100  Councils,  and  expended  about 
$90,000  for  benefits  and  relief." 

Much  of  the  success  in  the  newer  states  was  attributed  to  the 
premium  of  $25  paid  for  all  new  Councils  organized.  The  amount 
of  premiums  paid  to  organizers  in  New  York,  Massachusetts,  Ohio 
and  Virginia,  alone  was  $1,400.  Beferring  to  the  marvelous 
growth  in  his  own  state,  Pennsylvania,  Brother  Deemer  adds : 

"  The  membership  there  on  the  31st  of  December  was  33,709,  being 
about  2,000  stronger  than  the  entire  Order  was  one  year  ago.  At  our 
last  session  she  reported  198  Councils,  to-day  she  has  chartered  339,  of 
which  over  330  are  in  good  standing,  and  meeting  as  required  by  law. 
The  organization  in  this  state  has  become  a  power,  and  I  believe  a  power 
for  good.  With  40,000  membership  at  the  present  time,  she  commands 
the  attention  of  the  state." 

The  question  of  "  change  of  name  "  came  up  before  this  meet- 
ing of  the  National  Body  with  a  strong  reinforcement — that  of  the 
Bepresentatives  of  Pennsylvania,  by  instructions  of  their  State 
Council.  Brother  Deemer  refers  to  the  sentiment  favoring  a 
change  of  name  that  had  so  grown  that  the  Order  was  permeated 
with  it.  He  spoke  of  his  own  state  having  always  opposed  a 
change,  but  at  this  session  the  question  would  be  submitted  and 
supported  by  her  delegates.  In  conformity  with  'these  instructions 
the  following  was  read,  signed  by  ten  members  of  the  Pennsylvania 
delegation : 


316  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

"  In  pursuance  of  instructions  from  the  State  Council  of  Pennsyl- 
vania, we  offer  the  following  resolution:  That  the  question  of  changing 
the  name  of  the  Order  be  submitted  to  the  entire  membership  of  .the 
Order,  to  be  decide  by  a  vote  taken  in  every  Council  in  the  United  States; 
the  name  to  be  chosen  from  a  list  prepared  in  the  National  Council  and 
submitted  to  each  Subordinate  Council." 

The  resolution  was  adopted  and  a  Committee  was  appointed 
to  submit  a  list  of  names  in  conformity  therewith.  Subsequently, 
the  Committee,  consisting  of  Brothers  A.  L.  Solomon,  Robert  Car- 
son and  F.  A.  Buschman,  submitted  the  following  as  their  report: 

"Your  Committee  on  change  of  name  refer  the  following  for  action: 

Jr.  O.  U.  A.  M. 

Native  American  Patriots. 

P.   0.   Native  Americans. 

Order  Loyal   Americans. 

Independent  Order  United  Americans. 

The   Order   of  the  United   States. 

The  Order  of  the  American  Republic. 

American  Legion. 

"  While  we  submit  this  large  number  of  names,  the  Committee  are 
unanimous  for  the  last  named,  '  American  Legion,'  and  would  recommend 
that  this  name  be   laid  before  the  organization   for  a  vote." 

After  refusing  to  adopt  the  amendment  laid  over  to  substitute 
"  Independent  Order  of  United  Americans  "  for  the  present  name, 
and  also  refusing  to  submit  the  list  as  prepared  by  the  Committee", 
to  the  Order  at  large,  the  National  Body,  by  a  vote  of  35  to  6, 
adopted  the  recommendation  of  the  Committee,  submitting  to  the 
Subordinate  Councils  the  name  of  "  American  Legion  "  for  their 
vote. 

P.  S.  C.  Williams,  of  Massachusetts,  presented  a  resolution 
requesting  a  committee  to  prepare  five-minutes  addresses  upon  the 
subjects  named  below  in  commemoration  of  the  events  appertaining 
thereto : 

"  February  22 — Washington's  Birthday. 

"  April  30 — The  adoption  of  the  Constitution  of  the  United  States, 
and  Washington's  Inauguration. 

"  May  17— The  Anniversary  of  the  Founding  of  the  Order. 
"  June  14 — The  Adoption  of  our  National  Emblem. 
"  July  4 — The  Declaration  of  Independence." 

The  purpose  of  these  addresses,  if  adopted,  was  for  the  Junior 
Past  Councilor  in  Subordinate  Councils  to  deliver  them  under  the 
"  Good  of  the  Order  "  at  meetings  which  shall  be  held  nearest  the 
several  dates  named.     The  resolution  was  adopted. 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  317 

The  officers  for  the  ensuing  year  were  elected  as  follows: 
National  Councilor — Wm.  R.  Stroh,  of  Pennsylvania, 
National  Vice-Councilor — Geo.   H.    Bartlett,  of  Massachusetts, 
National  Treasurer — J.  Adam  Sohl,  of  Maryland, 
National  Conductor — Jno.  P.   Branin,  of  Ohio, 
National   Warden — John  V.  Gillaspy,  of  Pennsylvania, 
National  Inside  Sentinel — Phil.  A.  Shaffer,  of  West  Virginia, 
National  Outside  Sentinel — Jno.  W.   Kull,  of  New  Jersey. 


CHICAGO,    ILL.,    1890 

For  the  first  time  in  its  history,  the  National  Council  met  in 
the  Greater  West — the  metropolis  of  that  vast  empire — Chicago, 
Illinois,  June  17-19,  1890.  The  session  was  crowded  with  business 
and  enthusiasm  ran  high.  The  remarkable  advancement  made  by 
the  Order  was  intensely  gratifying  and  the  brethren  composing 
the  National  Body,  "  seeing  eye  to  eye,"  were  earnest  in  their  efforts 
to  make  the  work  of  the  organization  still  more  effective.  During 
the  year  charters  had  been  granted  for  the  institution  of  State 
Councils  in  Washington,  New  Hampshire,  Alabama  and  Illinois. 
In  the  latter  state,  under  the  direction  of  Brother  F.  J.  Shaler, 
great  advance  had  been  made,  from  32  members  to  over  500.  The 
banner  of  the  Order  had  been  unfurled  in  some  new  states  since 
the  last  session,  viz. :  Missouri,  Wisconsin  and  Florida. 

Brother  Deemer,  National  Secretary,  reported  an  increase  in 
Councils  of  198  and  of  members  14,271.     He  then  adds: 

"Is  not  this  a  grand  showing?  Bear  in  mind  that  it  is  nearly  six 
months  old,  and  also  that  very  material  progress  has  been  made  since  that 
time.  Pennsylvania  has  credit  for  but  394  Councils,  while  to-day  she  has 
nearly  470.  Ohio  is  credited  with  but  59  Councils,  while  she  has  over 
100.  Our  total  membership  is  over  60,000.  Since  last  July,  135  Councils 
have  been  organized  in  Pennsylvania,  and  it  is  possible  before  the  session 
of  the  State  Council    (September)   that  it  may  reach  150." 

The  tabulated  vote  on  substituting  "  American  Legion  "  for 
"  Junior  Order  United  American  Mechanics,"  as  reported  by  the 
Committee  appointed  to  count  the  vote  of  the  Subordinate  Coun- 
cils, showed  that  the  proposition  was  overwhelmingly  defeated, 
the  vote  standing  1,625  in  favor  of  a  change  of  name  and  11,732 
against.  The  votes  by  states  is  given  elsewhere.  This  decisive 
sentiment  against  change  of  name,  however,  did  not  prevent  an- 
other resolution  being  offered,  this  time  the  proposition  was  to 
substitute  "  Order  of  United  Americans."  The  resolution  was 
adopted,  and  again  the  Order  at  large  was  asked  to  vote  once  more 
on  the  subject,  in  October. 


318  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

The  thread-bare  subject  of  a  new  Eitual  was  again  introduced 
by  way  of  a  resolution,  signed  by  14  members,  asking  the  National 
Councilor  to  appoint  a  committee  of  five  to  prepare  a  Eitual  and 
to  be  submitted  to  the  National  Body  "  at  the  earliest  date  con- 
sistent, with  best  attainable  results."  The  Committee  selected  was 
Bros.  Eichter,  Zimmerman,  Eoberts,  of  Ohio,  Cranston  and  Wil- 
liams, of  Pennsylvania.  At  the  same  time  a  committee  was  ap- 
pointed to  formulate  a  Eitual  for  the  opening  and  closing  of  Na- 
tional and  State  Councils,  installation  of  officers  in  public,  and  for 
the  reception  of  members  by  card. 

The  session  was  attended  by  nearly  50  members,  and  was 
replete  with  interest.  The  preparations  for  and  advertisement  of 
the  coming  of  the  National  Council  entailed  an  expense  of  more 
than  $500,  which  amount  was  paid  by  the  National  Body.  Roll- 
call  revealed  the  names  of  several  brothers  well  known  in  the  annals 
of  the  Order,  among  whom  were  Harry  E.  Peck,  I.  V.  Eobbins, 
James  Cranston,  Harry  A.  Kiel,  of  Pennsylvania,  J.  H.  Zimmer- 
man, "  father  of  the  Orphans'  Home,"  and  L.  N.  Van  Horn,  of 
Ohio,  and  Eoger  J.  Armstrong,  of  Missouri. 

An  effort  to  strike  out  the  word  "  white  "  in  a  section  of  the 
law,  in  order  that  other  races  than  the  white  race  could  be  admitted 
to  membership,  was  defeated  by  a  vote  8  to  35.  An  important 
amendment  to  the  National  Constitution  was  adopted  as  follows : 

"That  the  Finance  Committee  be  appointed  from  the  city  in  which 
the  National  Secretary  resides,  and  with  their  report  give  an  estimate  of 
expenses  and  receipts  for  the  ensuing  year,  and  with  the  per  capita  tax 
for  the  ensuing  year." 

The  result  of  the  election  of  officers  was  as  follows: 

National  Councilor — Geo.    H.    Bartlett,    of   Massachusetts, 
National  Vice-Councilor — Jno.  P.  Boblits,  of  Maryland, 
National  Treasurer — J.   Adam   Sohl,   of   Maryland, 
National  Conductor — Wm.  H.  Painter,  of  Pennsylvania, 
National  Warden — Geo.  W.   Hofseas,  of  New  Jersey, 
National  Inside  Sentinel — A.  H.  Barber,  of  Wisconsin, 
National  Outside  Sentinel — J.  D.  Pearce,  of  Alabama. 


CHAPTER   XXI 
SESSIONS   OF   THE   NATIONAL    COUNCIL  (Continued) 

CLEVELAND,  OHIO,   1891 

THE  rapid  progress  of  the  Order  made  the  Twenty-third  Annual 
Session  of  the  National  Council  at  Cleveland,  Ohio,  June 
16-18,  1891,  a  very  busy  one.  Fifty  members  were  in  attendance, 
representing  eleven  State  Councils,  and  two  representing  states  still 
under  the  jurisdiction  of  the  National  Body,  one  of  the  latter 
being  our  genial,  big-hearted  brother  from  the  Southland,  Dr.  J.  L. 
Cooper,  of  Texas.  The  roll-call  brought  to  notice  for  the  first 
time  the  names  of  two  brothers  well  known  to  many  who  have 
attended  the  National  sessions  these  latter  years — W.  L.  James,  of 
Maryland,  and  W.  S.  Schenck,  of  the  State  of  Washington.  The 
Order  was  planted  in  some  new  states,  viz. :  Maine,  Iowa  and 
Michigan.  The  reports  of  Deputy  National  Councilors  showed 
great  advancement  in  some  sections.  Ohio  had  gained  50  Councils 
during  the  year.  Illinois,  under  the  efficient  direction  of  Deputy 
National  Councilor  F.  J.  Shaler,  increased  from  10  Councils  and 
500  members  to  28  Councils  and  2,000  members,  an  increase  of  300 
per  cent.  Pennsylvania  on  December  31,  1890,  had  532  Councils 
and  about  57,000  members.  The  six  months  since  the  report  was 
tabulated,  witnessed  a  still  more  phenomenal  advance  in  the  old 
"  Keystone  State/'  which  will  be  noted  in  the  proper  place.  That 
old  wheel-horse  of  Pennsylvania  Juniorism,  "  General "  Stephen 
Collins,  was  in  the  saddle  and  through  his  efforts  and  the  enthusi- 
asm he  aroused,  a  wave  of  patriotism  swept  the  state,  until  it  reached 
nearly  every  county  and  hamlet,  and  between  200  and  300  Councils 
were  instituted  and  thousands  of  members  were  enrolled  under  the 
banner  of  our  Order  during  his  term  as  State  Councilor  (1890-91). 
In  the  writer's  home  city  (Pittsburg)  the  Order  was  a  power, 
men  of  prominence  in  city  and  state,  ministers,  physicians,  lawyers 
and  men  in  charge  of  the  educational  institutions  sought  admission 
to  the  Councils  of  the  organization ;  indeed  the  same  was  true  in 
every  part  of  the  state.  It  was  the  writer's  privilege  under  Brother 
Collins'  direction  to  address  public  meetings  attended  by  from  600 
to  1,000  people,  all  intent  on  hearing  discussed  the  Objects  and 
Principles  of  the  Order. 

319 


820  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

The  tabulated  statement  of  the  National  Secretary,  ending 
December  31,  1890,  gave  the  following  showing  by  states: 

NO.  OF  COUNCILS       MEMBERS 

Pennsylvania     532  50,566 

Ohio    135  8,576 

New    Jersey     84           •        7,330 

Virginia 34  2,738 

Maryland    20  2,104 

•     West  Virginia    26  1,188 

Illinois    24  1,183 

Massachusetts    16  1,020 

New  Hampshire 7  429 

New  York 8  342 

Washington     7  304 

Including  with  the  above  tabulation  of  membership,  the  mem- 
bers of  Councils  still  under  the  supervision  of  the  National  Coun- 
cil, the  entire  membership  was  82,605,  with  919  Councils  in  good 
standing,  or  a  gain  over  the  preceding  year  of  more  than  300  Coun- 
cils and  over  26,000  members.  It  is  interesting  to  note  that  the 
gain  in  ten  years  was  111+  Councils  and  in  members  15,01+8. 

It  is  interesting  also  to  note  the  comparison  in  finances  for 
1880  and  1890: 

1880  1890 

Received  by  Subordinate  Councils. $42,642.93  $520,869.61 

Amount  paid  for  Benefits 9,708.31  186,069.95 

In  Treasuries  of  Sub.  Councils...    77,142.36  559,887.34 

The  total  receipts  of  the  National  Council  for  the  year  was 
$9,3-13.82,  of  which  $8,000.98  was  for  per  capita  tax. 

The  National  Secretary  suggested  that  the  "  American  De- 
fense Association,"  an  organization  working  in  the  interest  of  re- 
stricted immigration,  be  endorsed  by  the  National  Council,  which 
recommendation  was  approved.  He  referred  to  the  Preamble  of 
the  Order  in  which  there  had  been  no  change  since  the  institution 
of  AVashington  Council  in  1853,  and  suggested  that  the  Declaration 
of  Principles  adopted  at  Chicago  the  year  previous  be  made  the 
Preamble,  in  which  recommendation  the  National  Body  concurred. 
Eelative  to  a  change  in  the  Charter,  the  following  was  recommended 
by  Brother  Deemer: 

"  I  would  take  out  the  train  of  cars  at  the  top,  and  insert  a  school- 
house  with  the  flag  flying  from  its  peak,  and  upon  the  tiling  at  the 
bottom,  I  would  put  an  altar,  upon  which  is  to  lie  the  Bible,  American 
Flag  and  the  Constitution  of  the  United  States." 

The  National  Council  approved  the  suggestion. 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  321 

The  subject  of  "  Ritual "  had  its  usual  place  in  the  business  of 
the  session ;  but  it  is  more  fully  presented  in  the  chapter  on  Ritual. 
In  conformity  with  the  resolution  offered  at  a  former  session,  a  form 
for  Public  Installation  of  Officers  was  submitted,  but  not  being 
satisfactory,  it  was  recommitted  to  the  Committee.  The  Commit- 
tee on  Ritual  did  not  submit  a  new  Ritual,  but  presented  several 
suggestions  that  had  been  made  to  them  by  members  of  the  Order. 
It  was  resolved,  however,  that  there  should  be  attached  to  the  book 
of  Ritual  a  plan  of  the  Council  room  to  be  used  in  the  "  camp 
scene." 

On  the  subject  of  "  change  of  name,"  referred  to  the  Subor- 
dinate Councils  for  their  vote,  the  Committee  appointed  to  tabu- 
late the  vote  reported  that  the  proposition  to  change  the  name  to 
"Order  United  Americans"  was  defeated  by  a  vote  of  11,586  to 
7,446.  Undaunted  by  this  failure,  a  large  number  of  the  members 
of  the  body  again  presented  a  resolution  asking  for  a  change  of 
name,  substituting  the  name  that  had  been  defeated,  and  it  was 
adopted  by  37  ayes  to  13  nays. 

Three  important  subjects  were  considered  at  this  session,  each 
in  its  own  way  to  exert  a  powerful  influence  throughout  the  nation 
and  to  become  potent  factors  in  the  progress  of  the  Order.  The 
first  of  these  mighty  forces  to  be  put  in  motion  was  the  adoption  of 
a  recommendation  to  send  an  Organizer  into  the  field,  and  levying 
of  a  special  tax  of  six  cents  per  capita  to  defray  the  expenses  of 
6ame. 

Another  matter  that  in  the  years  to  follow  was  to  bring  the 
Order  in  closer  touch  with  the  several  states,  as  well  as  the  Union 
at  large,  was  the  presentation  of  the  form  and  duties  of  the  Na- 
tional Legislative  Committee.  The  subject,  however,  was  submitted 
to  a  Special  Committee. 

A  third  subject,  of  all  the  three  the  most  important,  came 
before  the  National  Body  in  the  form  of  a  brief  resolution,  pre- 
ceded, however,  by  a  lengthy  preamble,  and  read  as  follows: 

"  Resolved,  That  this  National  Council  take  some  pre- 
liminary steps  towards  providing  a  home  for  the  orphans  of 
deceased  members." 

This  resolution  was  presented  by  the  Representatives  of  Ohio, 
by  direction  of  their  State  Council.  The  brother  who  drew  up 
the  resolution,  and  who  bears  the  cognomen,  "father  of  the  Or- 
phans' Home,"  was  J.  H.  Zimmerman,  of  Plain  City,  Ohio,  through 
whose  persistent  watering  of  the  seed-truth  just  sown  in  patriotic 


S22  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

soil,  the  Order  was  to  see  the  great  banyan-tree  of  protection  for 
our  orphans  spread  until,  under  the  broad  sheltering  wings  of  our 
National  Orphans'  Home,  at  Tiffin,  Ohio,  our  dear  wards  have 
found  a  "  home  "  indeed  as  well  as  help  and  protection. 

This  was  a  glorious  day  for  our  Order.  In  the  City  of 
Cleveland,  State  of  Ohio,  on  June  18,  1891,  was  inaugurated  a 
movement  that  will  be  immortal  in  its  influence  and  power;  and 
as  the  slightest  motion  in  the  ocean  will  not  cease  until  from  shore 
to  shore  the  vast  volume  of  water  is  stirred,  so  here  was  started  a 
heart-throb  that  is  destined  to  roll  on  down  the  centuries  that  will 
not  stop  until  the  last  wave  shall  dash  its  silvery  spray  upon  the 
banks  of  the  Celestial. 

After  the  installation  of  the  following  officers,  the  National 
Council  adjourned : 

National  Councilor — Jno.   R.   Boblits,   of  Maryland, 
National  Vice-Councilor — James   Cranston,   of   Pennsylvania, 
National  Treasurer — J.  Adam   Sohl,  of  Maryland, 
National  Conductor — H.  H.  Bair,  of  Pennsylvania, 
National  Warden— John  D.  Hall,  of  West  Virginia, 
National  Inside  Sentinel — Dr.  J.  L.  Cooper,  of  Texas, 
National  Outside  Sentinel — G.  W.  McFarland,  of  New  Jersey. 


ATLANTIC   CITY,   N.   J.,    1892 

After  a  year  of  wonderful  advancement,  and  the  many  ques- 
tions arising  as  to  the  dissemination  of  the  principles  of  the  Order, 
made  the  Twenty-fourth  Session  of  the  National  Council  at  At- 
lantic City,  N.  J.,  June  21-24,  1892,  the  most  important  session 
held  since  the  institution  of  the  National  Body.  Kev.  J.  E.  Bob- 
lits, as  National  Councilor,  and  James  Cranston,  as  National  Vice- 
Councilor,  occupied  their  respective  Chairs  with  credit  to  the 
fraternity. 

More  than  60  members  responded  to  roll-call,  representing 
fifteen  State  Councils.  One,  who  in  the  years  to  come  was  des- 
tined to  be  a  most  conspicuous  figure  in  the  organization,  and 
whose  work  already  as  an  organizer  had  been  of  such  a  character 
as  to  indicate  that  he  was  a  leader  of  men,  for  the  first  time  answered 
to  his  name.  It  is  scarcely  necessary  to  state  his  name  in  this  con- 
nection, as  he  is  known  from  the  Atlantic  to  the  Pacific  and  from 
the  Great  Lakes  to  the  Gulf — Brother  Stephen  Collins.  In  the 
subsequent  history  of  the  Order,  Brother  Collins'  life  runs  as  a 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  328 

thread  woven  in  the  woof  of  the  organization;  and  while  no  one  ir 
the  Order  has  heen  criticized  more  than  he,  yet  all  must  admit  that 
no  one  has  worked  harder  and  sacrificed  more  for  the  advancement 
of  the  Order  than  Brother  Collins.  To-day,  as  Secretary-Manager 
of  the  Beneficiary  Degree  and  Funeral  Benefit  Department,  he  is 
directing  these  important  features  of  the  organization  with  closest 
economy  and  on  the  strictest  business  basis. 

The  writer  has  some  very  pleasant  recollections  of  this  session. 
The  Supreme  Commandery  of  the  Uniform  Eank,  as  a  body,  was  in 
attendance  to  take  part  in  the  parade,  having  gone  in  special  train 
via  Washington,  D.  C,  from  Pittsburg,  Pa.  It  was  our  pleasure 
as  well  as  honor  to  represent  the  Supreme  Commandery  in  present- 
ing to  the  National  Council  a  set  of  resolutions,  beautifully  en- 
grossed and  framed,  in  recognition  of  the  courtesy  of  the  National 
Council's  action  at  a  previous  session  in  recognizing  and  endorsing 
the  Uniform  Eank.  The  writer  recalls  how  deeplv  he  was  im- 
pressed with  the  appearance  and  personnel  of  the  National  Body, 
as  well  as  the  well-chosen  response  of  Brother  F.  A.  Buschman  in 
receiving,  in  behalf  of  the  National  Council,  the  resolutions.  We 
also  recall  the  great  parade,  in  honor  of  the  National  Body,  and  the 
long,  hot  tramp  and  the  many  who  "fell  by  the  way  "  and  returned 
to  their  hotel  by  the  street  cars. 

Two  new  committees  were  designated  at  this  session,  viz. : 
Distribution  Committee  and  Committee  on  the  State  of  the  Order. 
The  duties  required  of  the  first  was  to  distribute  all  recommen- 
dations, resolutions,  suggestions,  etc.,  to  the  proper  committees 
for  their  consideration ;  while  the  duties  of  the  second  were  to  re- 
port on  all  subjects  having  special  reference  to  the  "  Good  of  the 
Order." 

Four  State  Councils  were  organized  during  the  year,  viz. : 
Indiana  (reorganized)  by  Brother  Eobert  Ogle;  Michigan  and 
Iowa,  by  Brother  Stephen  Collins ;  and  North  Carolina,  by  Special 
Deputy  Ivey.  Two  new  states  came  under  the  jurisdiction  of  the 
National  Council,  Kentucky  and  Oklahoma. 

While  the  report  of  Councils  and  membership,  under  date  of 
December  31,  1891,  showed  1,260  Councils  and  107,991  members, 
still  the  increase  had  gone  on  so  rapidly,  that  at  the  time  of  the 
session  of  the  National  Body  there  were  over  1,500  Councils  and 
about  110,000  members.  The  total  receipts  of  the  National  Coun- 
cil were  $16,308.23,  while  the  disbursements  were  only  $14,052.51, 
leaving  a  balance  of  $6,328.12. 


324  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

Several  important  matters  were  brought  before  the  body  and 
adopted,  among  which  were  the  following : 

1.  "  Resolved,  That  the  National  Councilor,  National  Vice-Councilor 
and  Junior  Past  National  Councilor,  compose  the  National  Board  of 
Officers." 

Previous  to  this  the  Board  of  Officers  consisted  of  the  first 
two  of  the  above  officers  and  the  National  Secretary. 

2.  All  officers  and  members  of  Standing  and  Special  Com- 
mittees to  be  allowed  their  expenses,  traveling  and  hotel,  for  such 
time  as  the  National  Council  is  in  session. 

3.  That  the  reports  of  the  Board  of  Officers,  the  National  Sec- 
retary, National  Treasurer  and  Finance  Committee,  be  printed 
prior  to  the  meeting  of  the  National  Council  and  distributed  at  the 
opening  of  the  first  session  of  the  body. 

4.  The  adoption  of  the  report  of  the  Special  Committee  recom- 
mending a  National  Legislative  Committee,  outlining  its  duties, 
etc.  This  Committee  subsequently  became  a  power  in  the  organ- 
ization in  shaping  legislation,  especially  upon  the  subject  of  Immi- 
gration. 

5.  The  creation  of  a  new  Committee,  known  as  the  "  Trans- 
portation Committee." 

The  National  Council  refused  to  adopt  the  following  sugges- 
tions and  recommendations: 

1.  To  strike  out  in  Article  on  Eligibility  to  Membership,  the 
word  "  white." 

2.  To  accede  to  the  request  of  the  Councils  of  the  District  of 
Columbia  to  rescind  a  previous  action  of  the  body  in  placing  them 
under  the  jurisdiction  of  the  State  Council  of  Virginia  and  grant 
them  a  charter  for  a  State  Council. 

3.  To  endorse  the  Daughters  of  America. 

Suggestions  were  made  relative  to  three  subjects,  that  in  subse- 
quent years,  were  to  be  favorably  considered : 

1.  The  payment  of  the  expenses  of  the  "Representatives  to  the 
National  Council  by  the  National  Body. 

2.  That  no  Past  National  and  Past  State  Councilor  shall  have 
a  voice  in  the  National  Council  or  their  respective  State  Councils, 
providing  that  the  enactment  should  not  be  retroactive  m  any  way. 

3.  Representation  of  each  State  Council  of  5,000  members 
or  less  to  be  five  Representatives  and  to  serve  five  years. 

The  report  of  Brother  Stephen  Collins,  as  National  Organizer 
for  a  part  of  the  year,  indicated  most  efficient  work  in  Michigan 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  325 

and  Iowa.  In  the  former  state,  after  three  months'  work,  nine 
Councils  were  organized  and  a  State  Council  instituted.  In  Iowa, 
after  six  weeks'  effort,  seven  Councils  were  planted  and  a  State 
Council  created. 

The  following  officers  were  elected : 

National  Councilor — James  Cranston,  of  Pennsylvania, 

National  Vice-Councilor — H.  A.  Kibbe,  of  New  Jersey, 

National  Secretary — Edw.  S.  Deeemer,  of  Pennsylvania   (Five  years). 

National  Treasurer — J.  Adam  Sohl,   of  Maryland, 

National  Conductor — F.  Schaefer,  of  New  York, 

National  Warden — H.  P.  Fuller,  of  Massachusetts, 

National  Inside  Sentinel — F.  J.  Stockwell,  of  Iowa, 

National  Outside  Sentinel — S.  C.  Anderson,  of  Washington. 


DETROIT,  MICHIGAN,  1893 

The  Twenty-fifth  Annual  Session  of  the  National  Council  was 
held  in  the  City  of  Detroit,  Mich.,  June  20-23,  1893,  there  being 
21  states  represented  by  90  members.  The  reports  showed  an 
increase  of  273  Councils  and  of  members  23,789.  The  total,  ending 
the  fiscal  year,  December  31,  1892,  was,  in  Councils,  1,533;  in  mem- 
bers, 131,280. 

THE  NATIONAL  ORGANIZER 

Much  credit  is  due  Brother  Stephen  Collins,  National  Organ- 
izer, for  the  unprecedented  advance  of  the  Order  during  the  year. 
From  his  report  to  the  National  Body,  only  a  few  facts  can  be 
inserted  in  this  connection,  showing  the  strenuous  life  he  led 
in  his  widespread  labors  in  the  Far  West. 

Entering  the  State  of  Nebraska,  at  Omaha,  Brother  Collins 
began  at  once  to  lay  the  foundations  of  the  Order  in  that  city.  It 
was  July  2,  1892,  when  he  entered  Nebraska ;  by  August  1,  he  had 
six  Councils  organized,  and  on  August  5,  he  instituted  the  State 
Council  of  Nebraska.  Doing  some  preliminary  work  in  Iowa  and 
Missouri,  the  National  Organizer  proceeded  to  Wisconsin,  strength- 
ening the  Councils  in  that  jurisdiction,  then  returning  to  Missouri 
he  instituted  the  State  Council  of  that  state  on  November  25,  1892. 
During  the  next  two  months  Brother  Collins  visited  Kansas  and 
Colorado,  organizing  councils,  and  subsequently  instituted  State 
Councils  in  each  state.  Crossing  the  Rocky  Mountains  to  the 
Pacific  slope,  he  spent  some  time  in  the  States  of  Washington,  Ore- 
gon and  California,  instituting  new  Councils  and  encouraging  old 
ones,  everywhere  sowing  the  seed-truths  of  the  Order. 


326  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

In  short,  Brother  Collins  during  the  year  instituted  five  State 
Councils  and  thirty-eight  Subordinate  Councils  in  eight  different 
states,  besides  doing  much  general  work.  For  fifteen  months  he 
had  been  in  the  field,  as  organizer,  he  organized  110  Councils  and 
brought  into  the  Organization  thereby  5,000  members. 

The  highest  compliments  were  paid  Brother  Collins  and  his 
work  by  the  National  Councilor  and  National  Secretary,  and  when, 
at  the  close  of  the  session,  the  National  Councilor  announced  his 
reappointment  as  National  Organizer,  it  was  received  with  applause 
and  congratulatory  addresses. 

REPORTS  OF  THE  NATIONAL  OFFICERS 

While  the  reports  of  National  Councilor  Cranston  and  National 
Secretary  Deemer  were  voluminous,  nevertheless,  they  were  com- 
prehensive and  intensely  interesting.  Both  of  these  officers  took 
high  ground  on  certain  questions,  and  placed  themselves  in  the  fore- 
front along  all  lines  of  practical  patriotism.  The  adoption  of  the 
Declaration  of  Principles  at  a  previous  session,  the  new  Ritual, 
as  well  as  the  work  of  the  National  Legislative  Committee,  had 
aroused  in  many  quarters  a  storm  of  criticism,  the  claim  being  ad- 
vanced that  the  Junior  Order  was  a  political  organization  as  well 
as  sectarian.  The  closing  paragraph  of  the  Declaration  of  Prin- 
ciples, which  read,  "  In  the  strictest  sense  we  are  a  national  politi- 
cal organization,"  etc.,  and  a  clause  in  the  Ritual  that  seemed  to 
sympathize  with  this  declaration,  as  well  as  the  introduction  of  a 
character  in  the  initiatory  ceremony,  gave  rise  to  the  protest,  claim- 
ing that  these  were  inconsistent  with  the  Objects  and  Principles  of 
the  Order,  and  asked  that  the  objectionable  features  be  eliminated. 
Reference  to  this  controversy,  however,  has  been  given  fully  under 
the  chapter  of  Ritual. 

"With  this  controversy  in  view,  Brother  Cranston,  in  his  report 
as  National  Councilor,  upheld  the  methods  that  were  being  adopted 
in  carrying  out  the  purposes  and  aims  of  the  Order.  Among  the 
many  excellent  things  suggested  in  his  report,  the  following  indi- 
cates the  high  ground  on  which  he  stood  upon  the  controversial 
issues : 

"  Our  members  must  realize  that  the  day  for  sentiment  regarding 
our  objects  is  past.  It  is  not  theoretical  but  practical  patriotism  that 
the  times  demand.  Speeches  in  the  Council-room  will  not  restrict  immi- 
gration, protect  our  public  schools  or  advance  American  interests.  The 
place  to  display  our   patriotism  is   at  the  polls.     Political   patriotism   is 


UNITED  AMERICAN   MECHANICS  327 

the  kind  of  patriotism  needed  in  this  age.  The  Junior  Order  United 
American  Mechanics  is  a  'standing  army'  whose  duty  is  to  guard  Amer- 
ican institutions,  and  the  ballot  is  its  weapon.  All  we  need  is  to  '  shoot 
straight.'  " 

(Subsequently  in  the  session,  the  objectionable  character  re- 
ferred to  in  the  initiation  was  eliminated,  but  the  so-called  political 
clause  in  both  the  Declaration  of  Principles  and  the  Obligation,  were 
retained  and  all  protests  relative  thereto  were  disapproved.) 

Under  the  caption,  "  Memorial  at  Washington's  Birthplace," 
the  National  Councilor  said : 

"  During  January  of  the  year,  my  attention  was  directed  by  Rev. 
Brother  M.  D.  Lichliter,  a  patriotic  minister  of  McKeesport,  Pa.,  to  the 
fact  that  the  site  of  the  birthplace  of  Washington  was  unmarked,  and 
it  was  sviggested  that  the  Order  take  steps  to  erect  a  monumental  stone." 

Following  the  above  suggestion,  the  National  Councilor  entered 
into  correspondence  with  Governor  Kinney,  of  Virginia,  Robert  J. 
Washington,  grand-son  of  Col.  Wm.  Augustine  Washington,  and 
others,  and  learned  that  an  appropriation  to  erect  a  memorial  had 
been  made  by  Congress  ten  years  before,  but  the  amount  was  not 
sufficient  to  complete  the  project.  The  whole  matter  was  placed 
by  the  National  Councilor  in  the  hands  of  Brother  J.  K.  Emge, 
editor  of  The  American,  who  carried  on  the  correspondence  and 
finally  got  Congressmen  Jones,  of  Virginia,  Hon.  Wm.  A.  Stone 
and  Hon.  John  Dalzell,  of  Pennsylvania,  interested,  who  succeeded 
in  having  a  bill  passed  unanimously,  February  22,  1893,  providing 
for  additional  appropriation.  It  might  be  well  to  state  that  the 
credit  for  the  passage  of  the  bill  was  given  the  Order  by  Congress. 

As  a  sentinel,  true  and  faithful,  with  an  eye  on  the  perils  con- 
fronting the  Republic,  Brother  Cranston,  in  his  Thanksgiving 
Proclamation  threw  out  the  red-signal  light  of  danger  by  calling 
attention  to  the  speech  of  Judge  Dunne,  delivered  at  the  Catholic 
Columbian  celebration  at  Philadelphia,  and  suggested  that  the 
minister  selected  or  invited  to  preach  to  the  members  of  the  Order, 
be  made  acquainted  with  the  sentiments  of  Catholicism's  mouth- 
piece. The  portion  of  the  speech  especially  at  variance  with  the 
Principles  of  the  Order  were  these: 

"  The  great  boast  of  this  country  is  independence  and  impartial 
justice,  but  the  goddess  of  justice  should  hide  her  face  in  shame  when 
she  considers  the  manner  in  which  the  Catholics  are  treated  here.  The 
public  schools  are,  to  be  sure,  the  mainspring  of  the  country's  welfare, 
but  why  should  they  be  upheld  in  such  a  partial  manner?     What  right  has 


328  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

the  government  to  set  up  a  pernicious  system  of  education  and  force 
13,000,000  of  its  people  into  it,  when  their  conscience  rebel  against  it? 
It  is  a  shame  that  such  should  be  the  case. 

"  The  government  should  help  support  the  parochial  schools,  as  we 
help  support  the  public  schools.  ...  In  Baltimore,  Md.,  the  public 
schools  are  corrupting  the  childhood  of  the  city,  and  have  been  exposed 
by  a  recent  writer,  who  will  do  the  same  for  other  cities.  A  rottenness 
of  administration  exists  which  must  be  changed  or  the  schools  will  not 
last." 

THE   NEW   LAWS 

The  consideration  of  a  new  code  of  laws  and  amendments, 
presented  by  the  Law  Committee,  occupied  several  sessions  of  the 
Committee  of  the  Whole,  and  the  discussions  relative  to  their 
adoption  were  animating.  After  several  attempts  to  arrange  a 
revised  code  of  laws,  but  without  success,  the  Committee  asked  to  be 
relieved  and  that  the  further  consideration  of  the  laws  be  deferred 
until  the  next  session.  By  a  vote  of  46  to  35,  the  request  of  the 
Committee  of  the  Whole  was  granted. 

REPORT  OF  THE  NATIONAL  LEGISLATIVE  COMMITTEE 

The  report  of  this  newly  created  Committee  indicated  much 
activity  along  the  lines  for  which  it  was  created,  in  seeking  legis- 
lation upon  the  important  questions  involving  the  perpetuation  of 
the  fundamental  principles  of  our  common  country.  Following 
the  plan  approved  by  the  Cabinet  of  the  Legislative  Committee,  the 
Sub-Committee  endorsed  the  Chandler  Immigration  Bill  in  the 
National  Congress,  and  the  Councils  of  the  entire  Order  poured 
thousands  of  petitions  into  Congress  praying  for  the  enactment  of 
a  restrictive  immigration  measure.  Under  the  direction  of  the 
Legislative  Committee,  a  call  for  a  "  Patriotic  Congress  "  was  sent 
to  the  various  patriotic  organizations  of  the  country  to  consider 
questions  of  vital  importance  to  the  Eepublic.  The  proposed  Con- 
vention was  set  for  October  10,  1893.  9 

REPORT   OF  THE    COMMITTEE   ON   NATIONAL   ORPHANS'   HOME 

Under  the  caption  "  National  Orphans'  Home,"  will  be  found 
fuller  presentation  of  the  Institution,  hence,  in  order  to  preserve 
a  chronological  connection,  only  a  brief  reference  to  the  annual 
reports  of  the  Committee  will  follow  here.  As  this  was  the  first 
report  of  the  Committee,  since  its  appointment,  two  years  previous, 
it  is  copied  in  full,  and  is  as  follows: 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  329 

"Detroit.    Mich.,  June  20th,  1893. 

"  To  the  N.  C,  N.   V.  C,  Officers  and  Members  of  the  National  Council, 
Jr.  O.V.A.  M. 

"  Dear  Sirs  and  Brothers. — 

"  Your  Committee  appointed  to  consider  and  report  upon  the  con- 
struction of  a  Home  for  Widows  and  Orphans  of  deceased  members,  beg 
leave  to  make  the  report  as  follows: 

"  The  work  of  the  Committee  has  been  most  thoroughly  and  intelli- 
gently performed  by  Bro.  J.  II.  Zimmerman,  of  Plain  City,  Ohio,  who  is 
a  member  of  the  Committee,  and  he  has  presented  to  your  Committee,  in 
meeting  assembled,  a  complete  and  elaborate  report,  consisting  of  fifty 
pages  of  manuscript  and  thirteen  drawings. 

"  Upon  considering  the  report  offered  to  the  Committee  by  Bro. 
Zimmerman,  we  have,  by  unanimous  consent,  endorsed  the  same,  and 
would  recommend  as  follows: 

"  First.  That  the  entire  report  be  printed  and  circulated  among 
the  membership,  in  order  that  all  may  become  acquainted  with  this  laud- 
able undertaking. 

"  Second.  That  your  Committee  recommends  the  adoption  by  this 
National  Council  of  the  second  or  village  plan  recommended  by  Bro. 
Zimmerman. 

"  Third.  We  recommend  that  during  the  ensuing  year  the  the  Com- 
mittee be  instructed  to  receive  by  correspondence  any  proposal  inat  may 
be  offered  by  any  Council  or  Councils,  as  to  what  aid  the  Committee 
might  expect  of  them  in  case  the  proposed  Home  should  be  located  in 
their  immediate  vicinity;  said  proposal  to  be  submitted  to  the  National 
Council  at  its  next  meeting. 

"  Respectfully  submitted  in  V.  L.  &  P., 

"  Geo.   W.   Elbert, 
"  W.  R.   Stroh, 
"  J.   H.   Zimmerman, 
"  D.  F.  Anderson." 

The  report  was  adopted. 

Other  items  of  business  were  transacted  at  this  session  as 
follows : 

1.  A  form  for  the  Public  Installation  of  Officers  was  adopted. 

2.  By  a  vote  of  31  nays  to  21  yeas  the  National  Body  refused 
to  concur  with  the  report  of  the  Committee  to  endorse  the  Daughters 
of  America. 

The  following  proposed  amendments  of  the  Objects  of  the 
Order  were  presented  and  laid  over  under  the  rules : 

1.  To  strike  out  from  the  First  Object  the  words  "  and  shield 
them  from  the  depressing  effects  of  foreign  competition." 

2.  To  create  a  new  Object  to  be  known  as  the  Sixth  Object, 
as  follows: 

"  To  oppose  the  union  of  Church  and  State,  and  the  appropriation 
of  public  moneys  for  sectarian  purposes." 


330  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

Among  the  Eepresentatives  in  attendance  at  this  session,  and 
who  were,  subsequently,  to  be  conspicuous  in  the  work  and  history 
of  the  National  Body,  were  Brothers  P.  A.  Shanor,  afterwards  Na- 
tional Councilor;  A.  D.  Wilkin,  for  years  a  member  of  either  the 
Law  Committee  or  National  Legislative  Committee;  Z.  T.  Woben- 
smith,  subsequently  State  Councilor  of  Pennsylvania,  and  J.  K. 
Emge,  editor  of  The  American,  all  of  Pennsylvania.  The  roll-call 
also  revealed  the  presence  for  the  first  time  of  our  genial  warm- 
hearted patriot,  P.  N.  O,  A.  L.  Cray,  of  Indiana,  at  that  time  a 
Eepresentative  of  his  State  Council. 

The  National  Council  closed  with  the  following  officers  elected 
and  installed: 

National  Councilor — H.  A.  Kibbe,  of  New  Jersey, 
National  Vice-Councilor — J.  G.  A.  Richter,  of  Ohio, 
National  Treasurer — J.  Adam  Sohl,  of  Maryland, 
National  Conductor — A.  L.  Solomon,  of  Pennsylvania, 
National  Warden — H.  W.  Cole,  of  Michigan, 
National  Inside  Sentinel — Dr.  J.  L.  Cooper,  of  Texas, 
National  Outside  Sentinel — A.  L.  Chase,  of  Massachusetts. 


ASHEVILLE,    N.C.,    1894 

The  Twent}'-sixth  Annual  Session  of  the  National  Body  con- 
vened at  Asheville,  North  Carolina,  June  19,  1894,  and  lasted  four 
days.  About  90  members  were  in  attendance,  among  whom  were 
some  who  have,  since  that  time,  aided  largely  in  shaping  the  present 
policy  of  the  Order  and  are  well  known  within  the  circle  of  the 
National  Council,  viz. :  Brothers  Joseph  Powell,  of  Colorado,  subse- 
quently National  Councilor;  F.  W.  Pierson,  of  Delaware,  also  to 
serve  in  after  years  as  the  presiding  officer  of  the  body;  W.  0 
Staples,  of  Connecticut;  E.  B.  Dillingham,  of  Georgia;  A.  G. 
Bainbridge,  of  Minnesota;  G.  A.  Davis,  of  Maryland,  and  F.  C. 
Borden,  of  Missouri. 

The  reports  of  the  Board  of  Officers  and  National  Secretary, 
showed  some  increase,  but  not  to  the  extent  as  the  previous  two 
years,  owing  to  the  depression  that  was  affecting  the  business  and 
labor  interests  of  the  entire  country.  In  the  face  of  this,  however, 
the  Order  had  been  planted  in  seven  new  states,  and  through  the 
efficient  labors  of  the  National  Organizer — Brother  Stephen  Col- 
lins— five  State  Councils  had  been  instituted,  viz. :  California,  Ore- 
gon, Texas,  Kentucky  and  Georgia,  making  in  all  27  State  Councils, 
representing  1,763  Councils  and  a  membership  of  142,459,  exclus- 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  331 

ive  of  Councils  under  the  immediate  jurisdiction  of  the  National 
Council,  being  a  gain  of  137  Councils  and  6,994  members.  Penn- 
sylvania had  reached  its  "high  water-mark""  with  nearly  1,000 
Councils  and  87,000  members. 

THE  COMING   CONFLICT 

The  mutterings  of  the  coming  storm  that  was  to  burst  forth 
from  the  black  cloud  of  internal  dissension  at  the  "  Crossing  of 
the  Centuries/'  was  heard  at  this  session.  The  first  outbreak  of 
factional  strife  was  in  the  Board  of  Officers  over  the  appointment 
of  the  National  Legislative  Committee,  National  Councilor  H.  A. 
Kibbe,  claiming  the  prerogative  of  choosing  three  of  the  five  mem- 
bers. The  controversy,  however,  was  settled  in  his  choosing  two, 
the  National  Vice-Councilor  selecting  two,  and  the  Junior  Past 
National  Councilor  choosing  one  member. 

REPRESENTATION 

The  purpose  of  a  few  leaders  of  the  then  dominant  faction  in 
some  of  the  older  states,  principally  Pennsylvania,  to  gain  complete 
control  of  the  political  machinery  of  the  National  Council,  led  to 
the  enactment  of  an  amendment  to  the  Article  relative  to  ratio 
of  membership  in  the  National  Body.  This  ratio  gave  to  each  state 
five  representatives  where  the  membership  did  not  exceed  5,000, 
and  an  additional  Eepresentative  for  every  additional  3,000  mem- 
bers or  a  majority  fraction  thereof.  This  was  a  grave  mistake  on 
the  part  of  the  National  Council,  as  it  had  the  tendency  to  place 
the  National  Body  in  the  control  of  the  larger  states,  which  had 
plenty  of  money  to  send  a  large  delegation  as  well  as  being  largely 
represented  by  Past  State  Councilors. 

From  a  sense  of  justice,  it  is  well  to  state,  that  the  increased 
ratio  of  representation  was  opposed,  to  a  large  extent,  by  those  who, 
in  the  years  of  strife,  composed  the  loyal  element  of  the  organ- 
ization. 

The  marvelous  achievements  of  Brother  Stephen  Collins  as 
National  Organizer,  and  being  possessed  of  natural  traits  of  leader- 
ship, aroused  a  spirit  of  jealousy  on  the  part  of  some  members  of 
the  National  Body,  whereupon,  there  was  formed  a  cabal  in  the 
body  to  antagonize  him  which  brought  to  his  support  staunch 
friends,  especially  in  the  Western  states  and  a  few  of  the  Southern 
states,  where  his  great  work  had  been  accomplished.  Hence,  the 
two  parties  in  the  National  Council  at  this  session  struggled  for 


332  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

supremacy  and  the  lines  were  sharply  drawn,  each  party  scoring 
a  victory,  the  one  electing  the  National  Vice-Councilor,  and  the 
other  securing  the  place  for  the  next  meeting — Omaha,  Nebraska. 

THE    NATIONAL    ORGANIZER 

The  creation  of  the  position  of  National  Organizer  had  never 
met  with  universal  approval,  and  the  opinions  as  to  the  success  of 
the  one  who  had  served  in  that  capacity,  were  somewhat  at  vari- 
ance, while  the  criticisms  were  quite  frequent,  the  latter,  however, 
arising  from  personal  reasons  rather  than  from  facts. 

National  Secretary  Brother  Deemer,  in  his  report,  gave  a 
resume  of  the  whole  subject.  Commenting  on  the  question  of  Na- 
tional Organizer,  he  said: 

"  I  was  never  much  of  an  enthusiast  upon  the  question  of  a  National 
Organizer,  but  I  must  confess  that  the  work  accomplished  has  far  ex- 
ceeded my  expectations." 

Referring  to  his  report  to  the  session  of  the  National  Body 
in  1887,  in  which  he  speaks  of  the  measures  that  should  be  adopted 
whereby  the  Order  could  be  advanced,  which  at  that  time  had  19,816 
members,  Brother  Deemer  quotes : 

" '  There  are  some  of  our  members  who  believe  that  this  object  can 
be  attained  best  by  the  selection  of  an  organizer,  which  will  involve 
great  expense  to  this  body;  far  greater  than  any  return  that  we  could 
reasonably  hope  for.  An  organizer  to  go  out  in  our  interests  must  be 
possessed  of  extraordinary  capacities.  He  must  be  possessed  of  a  certain 
amount  of  assurance  which  would  preserve  him  from  discouragements, 
which  would  be  a  protection  from  the  slurs  of  those  among  whom  he 
would  be  thrown,  that  it  was  a  matter  of  dollars  and  cents  to  him;  and 
if  after  working  with  all  zeal  and  accomplished  little,  to  return  home, 
knowing  that  among  our  own  membership  ihere  would  be  those  who 
would  charge  that  he  had  a  fine  thing  of  it;  that  he  had  spent  $2,000, 
and  there  was  nothing  comparatively  to  show  for  it. 

"  '  Now,'  adds  the  National  Secretary,  '  while  I  am  neither  a  prophet 
or  the  son  of  one,  I  do  not  think  I  could  have  foretold  the  future  any 
better  if  I  had  been  endowed  with  prophetic  powers.'  " 

Previous  to  this,  however,  in  1883  the  suggestive  thought  had 
been  advanced  by  National  Councilor  Geo.  H.  Greenman  of  the 
practicability  of  engaging  a  "  competent  person  "  to  go  into  locali- 
ties where  the  Order  did  not  exist. 

Those  who  at  that  time  of  our  history  (1894)  were  prom- 
inently associated  with  the  Order,  can  recall  the  unjust  and  pre- 
eminently unfair  criticism  hurled  at  the  National  Organizer,  com- 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  333 

ing  especially  from  those  who  in  after  years  were  the  arch-leaders 
in  the  "insurrection,"  and  to-day  are  no  longer  members  of  the 
Order. 

Brother  Deemer  then  gave  a  resume  of  the  work  and  cost  of 
the  organizers.  Since  the  creation  of  the  position  of  National 
Organizer,  in  1891,  a  total  amount  of  $18,969.02  had  been  raised 
by  special  tax  levied,  while  the  total  disbursements  were  $13,485.92, 
leaving  a  balance  on  hand  of  $5,483.10  in  the  Organizer's  Fund. 

Brother  Robert  Ogle  was  the  first  National  Organizer,  holding 
the  office  five  months,  in  which  time  he  organized  three  Councils 
and  reorganized  the  State  Council  of  Indiana,  for  which  he  received 
in  salary  and  expenses  the  sum  of  $1,288.33. 

From  February,  1892,  to  June  1,  1894,  Brother  Stephen  Col- 
lins filled  the  position  of  National  Organizer,  with  results  as 
follows : 

"  Nine  Subordinate  Councils  and  the  State  Council   of  Michigan. 
"  Six  Subordinate  Councils  and  the  State  Council  of  Iowa. 
"  Five  Subordinate  Councils  and  the  State  Council  of  Nebraska. 
"  Eight  Subordinate  Councils  and  the  State  Council  of  Missouri. 
"  Four  Subordinate  Councils  and  the  State  Council  of  Wisconsin. 
"  Nine  Subordinate  Councils  and  the  State  Council  of  Kansas. 
"  Seven  Subordinate  Councils  and  the  State  Council  of  Colorado. 
"  Eight  Subordinate  Councils  and  the  State  Council  of  California. 
"  Four  Subordinate  Councils  and  the  State  Council  of  Texas. 
"  One  Subordinate  Council  and  the  State  Council  of  Georgia. 
"  Seven  Subordinate  Councils  and  the  State  Council  of  Oregon. 
"  Four  Subordinate  Councils  of  Minnesota. 
"  Two  Subordinate  Councils  of  Arizona. 
"  Two   Subordinate   Councils  of  Tennessee. 
"  One  Subordinate  Council  of  Washington. 

The  results  of  Brother  Collins'  work  for  two  years  and  about 
three  months  was  Seventy-seven  Subordinate  Councils  and  Eleven 
State  Councils,  for  which  he  received  in  salary  and  expenses  the 
sum  of  $8,026.21. 

The  National  Secretary's  reports  show  that  on  December  31, 
1894,  the  above  states  reported  and  paid  tax  on  5,626  members  and 
on  December  31,  1895,  reported  and  paid  tax  on  11,348  members. 
The  reports  of  the  Finance  Committee  show  that  the  National 
Council  had  received  from  these  states  in  cash  up  to  December 
31,  1905. 

For  Charter  fees   $1,730.00 

For  per  capita  tax  1,521.(5 I 

Total  revenue $3,251.64 

For  supplies  1,155.05 


334  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

The  report  of  the  National  Organizer  to  this  body,  embodied 
a  resume  of  the  field  over  which  he  had  travelled  during  the  year — 
Wisconsin,  Minnesota,  Iowa,  Oregon,  California,  Arizona,  Texas, 
Tennessee  and  Georgia — and  the  work  accomplished.  Yet  with  all 
that  and  in  face  of  the  work  done,  the  Finance  Committee  sub- 
mitted the  following  recommendation : 

"  We  recommend  that  the  organizing  tax  be  discontinued  and 
the  present  balance  in  the  organizing  fund  be  merged  with  the 
general  fund." 

Evan  G.  Badger  and  Harry  Heisler,  then  members  of  the 
Committee  on  Finance,  are  no  longer  members  of  the  organization. 

RITUAL 

The  Committee  on  Eitual  presented  its  report,  having  been 
assigned  the  duty  of  rearranging  and  improving  the  general  con- 
tents of  the  Eitual  without  altering  the  sentiments  or  plan  of  the 
work.  A  new  "  camp  scene  "  was  presented,  or  rather  the  old  one 
revised  by  Captain  Wm.  M.  Awl,  of  Pittsburg,  Pa.,  and  the  same 
was  exemplified  and  adopted.  Other  ritualistic  ceremonies  and 
forms  were  submitted,  acted  upon  and  adopted. 

NATIONAL    ORPHANS'    HOME 

The  Committee  on  National  Orphans'  Home  submitted  its 
report.  The  previous  year  had  been  utilized  in  the  dissemination 
of  information,  distributing  the  report  of  the  Committee  of  the 
preceding  year  and  mailing  circulars  to  Councils  requesting  pledges 
of  support  in  the  establishment  of  the  Home.  In  response  to  the 
appeal,  312  Councils  out  of  1,911  pledged  $3,703.55,  while  256 
Councils  acknowledged  receiving  the  circular  but  made  no  pledge, 
and  one  Council  disapproved  the  idea. 

The  Committee  recommended  that  the  question  of  location 
should  be  settled  at  the  next  session. 

A  new  Object  was  submitted  for  consideration,  but  no  action 
was  taken  thereon.     It  was  as  follows : 

"  We  believe  that  each  brother  should  own  his  own  home,  and  will 
encourage  and  assist  all  in  rightfully  procuring  the  same." 

The  following  amendment  to  Section  1,  Law  1,  General  Laws 
relative  to  Eligibility  to  Membership,  was  offered,  and  agreed  to 
by  a  vote  of  33  to  28 : 

"Provided  that  no  person  who  is  engaged  in  active  wholesaling  or 
retailing  alcoholic  or  spiritous  liquors  as  a  beverage  shall  be  received  to 
membership." 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  335 

The  old  question  of  eligibility  to  membership  of  any  one  with 
other  racial  blood  in  him  outside  of  "  white,"  came  up  for  discus- 
sion in  the  way  of  a  question,  "  whether  a  person  with  any  African 
blood  in  him  was  ineligible  to  membership."  On  motion  of  Brother 
Collins,  it  was  decided  that  an  applicant  with  any  African  blood  in 
him  was  ineligible  to  membership. 

The  Councils  in  the  District  of  Columbia  had  been  under  the 
jurisdiction  of  the  State  Council  of  Virginia,  but  the  sentiment 
among  the  Councils  of  the  District  favored  separation,  whereupon 
they  petitioned  the  National  Body  to  repeal  the  laws  whereby  the 
District  of  Columbia  was  made  geographically  a  part  of  Virginia 
and  that  a  State  Council  charter  be  granted  them.  The  request 
was  honored. 

After  a  spirited  contest  for  the  officers  of  the  National  Council, 
the  following  were  elected: 

National  Councilor — J.  G.  A.  Richter,  of  Ohio, 
National  Vice-Councilor — C.  W.  Tyler,  of  Virginia, 
National  Treasurer — J.  Adam  Sohl,  of  Maryland, 
National  Conductor — G.  W.  Nutz,  of  Delaware, 
National  Warden — Fiery  Toms,  of  Indiana, 
National  Inside  Sentinel — G.  H.  Burnham,  of  North  Carolina, 
National  Outside  Sentinel — H.  W.  Cole,  of  Michigan, 
National  Chaplain — Rev.  J.  R.  Boblits,  of  Maryland. 

For  the  first  time  in  the  history  of  the  National  Body,  a  Na- 
tional Chaplain  was  elected,  the  office  having  been  created  at  this 
session. 


CHAPTER    XXII 
SESSIONS  OF  THE   NATIONAL    COUNCIL   (Continued) 

OMAHA,  NEB.,  1895 

THE  City  of  Omaha,  Nebraska,  entertained  the  National  Body, 
June  18-21,  1895.  The  increased  representation,  as  per 
adoption  at  last  session,  made  the  attendance  at  the  session  the 
largest  in  the  history  of  the  National  Council  there  being  157 
present  at  first  roll-call,  42  of  whom  were  from  Pennsylvania,  32 
Representatives  and  10  Past  National  and  Past'  State  Councilors. 
Among  those  present  who  are  favorably  known  and  have  been 
prominent  in  the  deliberations  of  the  National  Council,  were  Broth- 
ers H.  C.  Schaertzer,  the  present  National  Councilor  (1907)  ; 
"  Judge  "  H.  S.  Barry,  Dr.  H.  L.  Wenner  and  Prof.  C.  F.  Peeves, 
afterwards  National  Councilor. 

The  session  was  a  lively  one,  judging  from  the  numerous 
calls  for  the  previous  question,  as  well  as  for  the  ayes  and  nays — 
eleven  times  were  the  latter  demanded. 

The  reports  of  the  Officers  showed  a  gratifying  increase  in  the 
Order,  notwithstanding  the  stringency  of  the  times.  State  Coun- 
cils had  been  instituted  in  the  District  of  Columbia,  Tennessee, 
South  Carolina  and  Minnesota,  making  30  State  Councils  in  all. 
During  the  year  Councils  were  organized  in  Maine,  Idaho,  Missis- 
sippi, Montana  and  Wyoming,  making  10  states  under  the  jurisdic- 
tion of  the  National  Council.  The  statistical  report,  ending  Decem- 
ber 31,  1894,  showed  1,980  Councils  and  a  membership  of  153,269, 
a  gain  of  201  Councils  and  9,365  members.  This  report  did  not 
include  Iowa  and  Texas.  The  greatest  gain  was  in  Maryland,  the 
increase  being  33  Councils  and  4,100  members. 

Owing  to  the  unfortunate  conditions  in  New  York,  represen- 
tation to  the  National  Body  was  denied  on  account  of  the  State 
Council  failing  to  remit  the  per  capita  tax,  and  thereby  was  fined. 
In  a  long  statement  made  to  the  National  Council,  the  officers 
of  the  State  Council  explained  their  inability  to  meet  their  obliga- 
tions because  of  an  empty  treasury.  They  laid  part  of  the  blame 
for  this  condition  of  affairs  to  the  National  Council  itself  for 
sending  organizers  into  the  state  whose  work  was  so  superficial 
as  to  leave  the  State  Council  a  loser  in  the  end. 

336 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  337 

A  decision  by  the  National  Councilor  on  a  very  important  mat- 
ter was  approved  by  the  National  Body,  declaring  that  an  applicant 
with  one-eighth  Indian  blood  was  ineligible  to  membership,  and 
any  one  having  blood  in  him  of  any  other  race  than  the  white  race 
could  not  be  admitted.  This  question,  however,  had  been  settled 
at  the  last  session,  but  it  was  not  heeded,  hence  the  decision. 

A  recommendation  of  the  National  Councilor  that  a  committee 
be  appointed  to  prepare  a  suitable  form  of  installation  for  the 
National  Chaplain  and  report  before  the  close  of  the  session,  was 
amended  so  as  to  read  "  report  at  the  next  session." 

The  Business  Sign  in  Eitual  was  stricken  out  owing  to  the 
fact  that  it  was  in  violation  of  an  act  of  Congress  passed  at  the 
session  of  1891,  the  government  authorities  having,  during  the  year, 
seized  the  dies  and  all  signs  in  the  office  of  the  National  Secretary. 

The  subject  of  an  appropriation  for  periodicals  produced  a 
vigorous  debate,  while  calls  for  the  previous  question  and  the  ayes 
and  nays  were  the  order  of  the  day.  Buser  and  Raymond,  of 
Pennsylvania,  former  members  of  the  Order,  were  the  most  con- 
spicuous in  retarding  the  business  of  the  body  by  dilatory  tactics. 

REPORT  OF  THE  NATIONAL  LEGISLATIVE  COMMITTEE 

The  report  of  the  Legislative  Committee  was  an  exhaustive 
one,  and  indicated  that  vigorous  efforts  had  been  put  forth,  not  only 
in  the  National  Congress,  but  in  many  of  the  states  to  enact  laws 
in  harmony  with  the  principles  of  the  Order.  The  Stone  Immigra- 
tion Bill,  requiring  consular  inspection  of  immigrants,  was  en- 
dorsed by  the  Committee  at  Washington,  and  the  "  Smith  Religious 
Garb  Bill "  in  Penns3dvania,  as  well  as  bills  in  various  states  for 
Compulsory  Education,  providing  that  the  flag  be  displayed  from 
public  school  buildings,  and  to  prevent  the  defacing  of  the  flag, 
were  endorsed  and  encouraged  by  the  Committee.  A  full  synopsis 
of  the  legislative  enactments,  however,  is  found  in  another  chapter 
under  its  appropriate  head.  The  Committee  consisted  of  F.  J. 
Shaler,  Robert  Carson,  W.  E.  Orange,  R.  J.  Armstrong  and  H.  J. 
Deily. 

REPORT    OF   THE    NATIONAL    ORGANIZER 

Walter  E.  Orange,  National  Organizer  for  about  nine  months 
of  the  year,  submitted  his  report.  Notwithstanding  the  disadvan- 
tages under  which  he  worked,  his  labors  were  fairly  successful, 
resulting  in  the  organization  of  27  Councils  and  the  institution 
of  4  State  Councils,  viz. :  Tennessee,  South  Carolina,  Connecticut 
and  Ehode  Island. 


338  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

REPORT    OF    THE    COMMITTEE    ON    ORPHANS'    HOME 

The  preeminent  feature  of  the  session  was  the  report  of  the 
Committee  on  Orphans'  Home,  and  the  action  of  the  National  Body 
thereon.  The  year  had  been  a  strenuous  one  for  the  Committee, 
their  work  having  been  conducted  along  two  different  lines,  both 
separate  and  distinct,  viz. :  Procuring  a  location  for  the  Home 
and  the  money  to  build  it.  The  plan  outlined  by  the  Committee 
early  in  the  year  was  to  invite  proposals  from  various  sections  for 
the  location  of  the  Home  and  the  inducements  offered,  the  contest 
to  close  January  1,  1895.  On  account  of  two  places  not  having  had 
sufficient  time  to  present  their  claims,  the  period  was  extended  to 
February  23,  1895,  at  which  time  a  meeting  was  held  at  Pittsburg, 
Pa.,  to  consider  the  proposals  and  give  all  parties  an  opportunity  to 
appear  in  person  and  represent  their  respective  localities.  Thir- 
teen places  were  presented,  some  of  them  by  several  proposals,  as 
follows : 

Brigantine  J  auction,  N.  J.;  Pipersville,  Pa.;  Liberty,  Mo.; 
Gettysburg,  Pa. ;  Boiling  Springs,  Pa. ;  Asheville,  N.  C. ;  Bellwood, 
Pa. ;  Springfield,  Ohio ;  Colorado  Springs,  Colo. ;  Youngstown, 
Ohio ;  Allentown,  Pa. ;  Mauch  Chunk,  Pa.,  and  Tiffin,  Ohio. 

A  complete  account  of  the  meeting  has  been  given  elsewhere, 
but  suffice  it  say  in  this  connection,  that  the  Committee  rejected 
all  proposals,  except  those  of  Boiling  Springs,  Pa.,  and  Tiffin, 
Ohio,  which  places  were  visited  by  members  of  the  Committee  prior 
to  the  meeting  of  the  National  Council.  Subsequently,  however, 
the  Committee  agreed  to  submit  to  the  National  Body  four  recom- 
mendations, two  of  which  are  here  given : 

"1.  We  recommend  that  a  home  for  Widows  and  Orphans  of  our 
Order  as  contemplated,  be  established. 

"2.  We  recommend  that  said  Home  be  established  at  or  near  Tiffin, 
Ohio,  and  that  the  Committee  be  empowered  to  make  selection  from  the 
various  locations  offered,  receive  deed  for  the  conveyance  of  the  property 
in  the  name  of  the  National  Council,  Junior  Order  United  American 
Mechanics  of  the  United  States  of  America,  and  enter  upon  and  take 
possession  of  the  same  in  the  name  of  the  National  Council,  Junior  Order 
United  American  Mechanics,  as  aforesaid,  as  soon  as  the  Committee  has 
procured  assurance  that  it  will  receive  and  can  command  the  sum  of 
thirty  thousand  dollars,  to  be  paid  to  it  within  two  years." 

The  discussion  upon  these  two  recommendations  was  animated 
and  the  passage  or  adoption  of  same  was  hotly  contested.  There 
was  a  fairly  strong  sentiment  against  the  establishment  of  a  Home 
at  all,  and  upon  the  vote  being  taken  on  Eecommendation  No.  1, 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  889 

the  ayes  were  116,  nays  35.  Representatives  from  24  states  voted 
in  favor  of  the  proposition  to  establish  an  Orphans'  Home,  and 
representatives  from  six  states  voted  against  the  proposition,  four 
of  the  latter  divided  their  vote,  and  only  two,  Massachusetts  and 
Rhode  Island,  were  a  unit  in  their  opposition. 

In  the  consideration  of  Recommendation  No.  2,  an  effort  was 
made  to  amend  same  by  having  the  proposition  as  to  location  sub- 
mitted to  a  vote  of  the  membership.  The  vote  to  amend  was  ayes 
70,  nays  85.  On  the  main  question  being  put,  the  vote  stood 
ayes,  102;  nays,  51.  Subsequently,  before  the  close  of  the  ses- 
sion, the  Committee  on  Orphans'  Home  submitted  the  following 
as  a  part  of  their  report,  and  the  same  was  agreed  to : 

"  That  the  Committee  on  Orphans'  Home  are  hereby  requested  to  take 
no  action  in  regard  to  the  establishment  of  a  Home  for  Widows  until 
directed  by  the  National  Council." 

Other  matters  of  more  than  general  interest  came  before  the 
National  Body,  among  which  were  the  following: 

1.  The  Representatives  from  Virginia  submitted  a  resolution 
that  the  portrait  of  Hon.  Thaddeus  Stevens  be  eliminated  from  the 
charter.  It  is  scarcely  necessary  to  record  that  the  proposition 
was  not  agreed  to  by  the  National  Body. 

2.  A  Council  in  the  District  of  Columbia  wanted  "  to  know  if 
this  Council  can  speak  of  a  sectarian  body  that  are  opposed,  and 
are  working  against  the  Fifth  Object  of  our  Order  and  call  them 
by  name  of  Roman  Catholic,  when  speaking  under  '  Good  of  the 
Order/  " 

"  In  Article  XIII  of  the  Constitution  it  reads  that  '  subjects  of  a 
sectarian  or  partisan  character  shall  not  be  introduced  into  any  meeting 
of  this  Council.' 

"We  are  convinced  that  the  said  article  conflicts  with  the  Fifth 
Object  of  our  Order,  and  think  that  wre  should  speak  upon  the  subject  of 
the  Roman  Catholic  Church  interfering  with  the  public  school  system. 
and  other  affairs  detrimental  to  this  Order  and  the  welfare  of  this 
country." 

Past  State  Councilor  H.  S.  Barry,  of  Maryland,  moved  to 
answer  "yes."  Upon  a  division  being  called,  the  vote  stood  27 
for  and  54  against.  National  Secretary  Deemer  then  moved  to 
answer : 

"  That  the  members  of  our  Order  have  the  right  to  speak  of  the 
enemies  of  the  public  schools  whenever,  and  wherever,  or  in  whatever  form 
they  may  appear." 

This  motion  was  agreed  to. 


340  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

3.  A  resolution  that  a  committee  be  appointed  to  formulate 
plans  for  the  consolidation  of  the  Jr.  0.  TJ.  A.  M.,  0.  TJ.  A.  M.,  and 
the  P.  0.  S.  of  A.,  was,  on  motion,  laid  on  the  table. 

4.  A  resolution  to  amend  the  First  Object  was  laid  over  under 
the  rules.     The  proposed  amendment  is  given  in  italics : 

"  To  maintain  and  promote  the  interests  of  Americans,  and  shield 
them  from  the  depressing  effects  of  foreign  competition;  but  nothing  in 
this  declaration  should  be  construed  as  sanctioning  the  political  ostracism 
of  any  man  of  foreign  birth  who  is  loyal  to  the  principles  of  our  Order, 
and  competent  to  discharge  the  duties  of  the  office  to  which  he  aspires." 

The  National  Officers  for  the  ensuing  year  were  elected  as 
follows : 

National  Councilor — C.   W.  Tyler,  of  Virginia, 
National  Vice-Councilor — P.   A.    Shanor,   of  Pennsylvania, 
National  Treasurer — J.  Adam  Sohl,  of  Maryland, 
National  Conductor — Dr.  J.  L.  Cooper,  of  Texas, 
National  Warden — W.  A.  Howard,  of  Nebraska, 
National  Inside  Sentinel — J.  L.  Ingram,  of  Missouri, 
National  Outside  Sentinel — J.  W.  Pittinger,  of  Indiana, 
National  Chaplain — Rev.  J.  R.  Boblits,  of  Maryland. 

At  the  time  of  the  regular  election  of  officers,  Dr.  H.  E.  Little- 
field,  of  Oregon,  was  elected  National  Chaplain  over  Eev.  J.  R 
Boblits  by  a  vote  of  81  to  66.  Subsequently,  Dr.  Littlefield  de- 
clined the  office,  whereupon,  Brother  Boblits  was  elected.  The  elec- 
tion was  sharply  contested,  party  lines  having  been  closely  drawn. 
Brother  Shanor  was  elected  National  Vice-Councilor  by  a  vote  of 
89  to  66  for  his  competitor,  Brother  Z.  T.  Wobensmith.  The  pur- 
pose of  one  party  was  to  make  the  place  of  meeting  in  the  East  in 
order  to  secure  the  attendance  of  as  many  Past  State  Councilors 
as  possible  from  the  older  and  larger  states,  and  at  the  same  time 
to  reduce  the  number  of  Bepresentatives  from  the  Western  states, 
owing  to  the  lack  of  means  to  send  them  to  the  National  Council, 
from  which  section  the  opposite  party  were  the  strongest  in  the 
National  Body.  The  result,  however,  of  the  election  for  place  of 
meeting,  was  with  the  West,  Denver  having  received  82  votes 
to  Providence,  Rhode  Island,  68. 


DENVER,    COLO.,    3896 

In  the  beautiful  Western  City  of  Denver,  Colo.,  in  June  of 
1896,  was  held  the  Twenty-eighth  Annual  Session  of  the  National 
Council,  N.  C,  C.  W.  Tyler,  presiding,  assisted  by  N.  V.  C,  P.  A. 
Shanor. 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  341 

This  session  is  noted  as  the  most  strenuous  in  I  la-  history  <>i 
the  National  Body,  and  the  two  elements  composing  it  fought  inch 
by  inch  on  all  disputed  issues  and  party  questions.  There  had 
been  friction  in  the  Board  of  Officers  during  the  year  and  a  bitter 
controversy  between  the  National  Councilor  and  Finance  Com- 
mittee. So  intensified  was  the  existing  feeling  and  so  marked  the 
line  of  difference  between  the  opposing  forces,  that  scarcely  had  the 
session  opened  when  the  "battle  of  the  giants"  began,  and  by 
dilatory  motions,  demands  for  roll-call  and  division  of  the  ques- 
tion, on  the  part  of  the  minority  party,  the  session  was  prolonged 
and  the  bitterness  of  feeling  became  much  more  intense. 

The  roll-call  showed  that  168  members  were  in  attendance. 
The  report  of  the  National  Councilor  was  quite  lengthy,  going  into 
details  by  sections  and  states,  and  gave  as  the  actual  increase  for 
the  year,  in  Councils,  306 ;  in  membership,  15,699.  This  numeri- 
cal statement  was  based  on  the  strength  of  the  reports  of  the  Deputy 
National  Councilors  up  to  the  time  the  advanced  reports  went  into 
the  hands  of  the  printer.  The  National  Secretary,  however,  clos- 
ing the  report  at  the  end  of  the  fiscal  year,  December  31,  1895, 
made  the  increase  in  Councils,  142,  and  in  membership,  13,141. 
The  total  number  of  Councils,  according  to  the  National  Secretary's 
report,  was  2,131;  membership,  166,833.  The  total  amount  of 
receipts  oif  Subordinate  Councils  was  $1,277,643.33^  and  the 
amount  paid  for  sick  benefits  was  $467,138.10. 

HISTORY  OF   THE  ORDER 

The  question  of  the  "  History  of  the  Order  "  was  considered  at 
this  session.  During  the  year  a  publisher  had  arranged  with 
Brother  Deemer  to  edit  a  history  of  the  organization,  which  was 
to  be  combined  with  "  Landmarks  of  America  "  and  published  in 
one  volume.  A  copy  of  the  "History"  was  presented  to  the 
National  Body  with  the  request  for  its  endorsement  and  adoption 
as  the  Official  History  of  the  Jr.  0.  TJ.  A.  M.,  for  ten  years,  sub- 
mitting the  agreement  to  pay  a  royalty  of  ten  cents  per  book  sold, 
to  the  National  Council.  The  whole  matter,  however,  was  referred 
to  the  National  Board  of  Officers  to  make  the  best  possible  terms 
with  the  publisher. 

REPORT  OF  THE  NATIONAL  LEGISLATIVE  COMMITTEE 

The  report  of  this  important  committee  was  a  feature  of  the 
session,  a  brief  reference  of  which,  however,  can  only  be  given 
in  this  connection.     The  Committee  consisted  of  A.   D.   Wilkin,. 


342  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

Chairman;    Stephen    Collins,    Secretary;    Robert   Carson,    W.    E. 
Orange  and  F.  J.  Shaler. 

The  "  Stone  Immigration  Bill,"  which  passed  the  House  of 
Representatives  the  previous  session  of  Congress,  had  failed  of 
passage  in  the  Senate  and  the  same  bill  was  presented  by  Con- 
gressman Stone,  which  had  the  support  of  the  Order.  Early  in 
the  year  the  Committee  entered  into  a  vigorous  campaign  and  blank 
petitions  were  sent  to  all  the  Councils  with  the  request  that  signa- 
tures be  obtained  and  forwarded  to  Congress.  These  petitions  were 
not  only  signed  by  members  of  the  Order,  but  by  every  one  irre- 
spective of  race,  nationality,  party  or  church  affiliation.  "  It  is  the 
people's  cause/'  was  the  key-note  of  the  Committee.  The  name  of 
the  Order  or  the  seal  of  the  Council  was  not,  under  any  circum- 
stances, allowed  on  the  petition.  "  They  should  appear  as  coming 
from  citizens  of  the  United  States,"  was  the  declaration  of  the 
Committee. 

THE    RITUAL 

The  Ritual  Committee  submitted  a  form  for  the  installation 
of  National  and  State  Council  Chaplain.  The  report  was  accepted 
and  the  subject  matter  referred  to  the  Board  of  Officers,  but,  strange 
to  say,  the  form  for  the  installation  of  the  Chaplain  was  not 
adopted,  and  for  years  that  blank  in  our  installation  service  has 
been  a  subject  of  criticism.  However,  at  the  session  of  the  Na- 
tional Council  at  Nashville,  Tenn.,  in  1905,  a  form  was  adopted. 

A  proposition  was  submitted  to  the  National  Body  suggesting 
two  higher  degrees  in  the  Order,  but  it  was  disapproved.    . 

Resolutions  bearing  on  the  Ritual  were  read  and  laid  over: 

1.  To  abolish  the  F.  0.  in  the  closing  ceremony  for  Subordin- 
ate Councils. 

2.  To  provide  a  State  Council  Ritual. 

3.  To  provide  for  a  three-degree  Ritual. 

OBJECTS   OF   THE   ORDER 

Amendments  of  the  National  Council  Constitution  relative  to 
the  Objects  of  the  Order  were  presented,  read  and  laid  over,  as 
follows : 

1.  "To  establish  or  erect  an  Orphans'  Home  as  a  home  for 
the  orphans  of  the  deceased  members  of  the  Order,  and  maintain  the 
same,"  to  be  known  as  the  Sixth  Object. 

2.  To  combine  the  Second  and  Third  Objects  as  follows :  "  To 


UNITED  AMERICAN   MECHANICS  343 

assist  Americans  in  obtaining  employment  and  to  encourage  them 
in  business." 

3.  To  make  the  Fourth  Object  the  Third. 

4.  To  add  to  the  Fourth  Object:  "  To  establish  a  home  for  the 
orphans  of  deceased  members." 

NATIONAL   ORPHANS'   HOME 

The  submission  of  the  proposed  object  relative  to  the  Orphans' 
Home  was  in  conformity  with  the  suggestion  of  the  National  Secre- 
tary, Brother  Deemer.  In  his  report  to  the  National  Body,  speak- 
ing of  the  newly  established  Orphans'  Home,  he  alluded  to  the  dilli- 
culties  in  the  way  and  the  legal  questions  that  had  to  be  met,  owing 
to  the  fact  that  the  courts  had  decided  that  "  no  assessment  could 
be  made  for  any  purpose  not  clearly  expressed  in  our  laws." 
Brother  Deemer  then  adds: 

"  As  neither  the  care  of  the  orphans  nor  the  erection  of  an  Orphans' 
Home  is  defined  in  our  objects,  nor  in  our  laws,  it  is  evident  that  the 
Home  must  be  run  entirely  upon  the  voluntary  system,  or  we  must  take 
the  necessary  steps  to  bring  the  institution  within  the  scope  of  our  work. 
An  amendment  to  our  charter  will  not  meet  the  issue.  It  seems  to  me 
that  it  is  necessary  to  create  a  new  object,  which  must  take  the  course 
laid  down  in  our  laws,  after  which  the  charter  would  have  to  be  amended." 

That  which  to  some  had  been  but  a  dream,  upon  which  many 
looked  with  skepticism,  now  was  a  veritable  fact — the  location  and 
establishment  of  the  Orphans'  Home;  hence  the  report  of  the 
Committee  on  Orphans'  Home  at  this  session  was  most  interesting 
and  far-reaching  in  its  consequences.  The  full  account  of  this 
"  high-water  mark  "  of  Juniorism  has  already  been  given,  there- 
fore, but  a  word  here  to  keep  up  the  connection  with  the  subject. 

The  Committee  consisted  of  Past  National  Councilors  J.  W. 
Calver,  G.  W.  Elbert,  W.  R.  Stroh  and  Past  State  Councilor  H.  J. 
Deily.and  J.  H.  Zimmerman.  On  October  3,  1895,  this  Committee 
met  at  Tiffin,  Ohio,  and  selected  the  Bretz-Kellar  farm,  whereupon, 
an  address  was  sent  out  to  the  Councils  notifying  them  of  the  fact. 
One  paragraph  of  that  address  should  never  be  forgotten,  as  it 
refers  to  a  most  princely  gift,  without  which  it  is  scarcely  possible 
to  believe  that  an  Orphans'  Home  would  have  been  established. 
The  paragraph  is  as  follows : 

"  This  magnificent  location  of  farm  is  given  to  the  Order  absolutely 
free.  It  don't  cost  us  a  single  penny,  but  it  does  cost  Young  America 
Council,  No.  136,  of  Tiffin,  Ohio,  the  sum  of  Twenty-nine  thousand,  five 
hundred  dollars,  spot  cash,  and  the  Council  then  deeds  it  over  to  us  '  for, 


344  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

and  in  consideration  that  we  take  it.'     What  an  enormous  donation  this 
for  a  single  Council,  and  a  Council  that  is  not  yet  five  years  old." 

The  Committee  had  already  selected  Brother  J.  H.  Zimmerman 
as  "  Superintendent  and  Overseer  of  the  Home  "  for  a  term  of  live 
years  at  a  salary  of  $750  for  the  first  year.  The  frame  building 
on  the  farm  was  fitted  up  as  the  temporary  Home  and  the  call 
went  out  for  orphans.  In  the  meantime  the  contract  for  Cottage 
No.  1  was  let,  and  work  thereon  was  begun. 

The  report,  as  submitted  by  the  Committee,  was  unanimously 
adopted,  whereupon,  on  motion  of  Brother  A.  D.  Wilkin,  of  Penn- 
sylvania, the  term  "  Orphans'  Home  Committee  "  was  discontinued 
and  a  "  Board  of  Trustees,"  consisting  of  five  members,  was  created 
to  be  known  as  "  The  Board  of  Trustees  of  the  Orphans'  Home 
of  the  Junior  Order  of  United  American  Mechanics." 

REPORT    OF    THE    NATIONAL    ORGANIZER 

Brother  Joseph  Powell,  subsequently  National  Councilor,  was 
the  National  Organizer.  Of  all  his  predecessors,  his  was  the  hard- 
est lot  of  them  all.  While  he  did  some  good  work  in  Montana,  Ne- 
vada, Wyoming  and  Idaho,  as  new  territory,  comparatively,  still  the 
greater  portion  of  his  time  was  given  to  reconstruction  work  in 
states  where  the  Order  had  previously  been  established,  mainly 
Wisconsin  and  Iowa.  Discord  had  entered  the  Order  in  these 
sections  of  the  country  while  in  the  Northwest  the  anti-American 
opposition  was  retarding  the  progress  of  the  organization. 

While  Brother  Powell  did  not  organize  as  many  Councils  as 
he  had  hoped,  owing  to  many  unfortunate  conditions  that  con- 
fronted him,  still  no  one  can  say  to  the  contrary,  but  that  his 
term  was  full  of  hard,  and  in  a  large  sense,  discouraging  work, 
for  in  performing  the  same,  he  traveled  in  miles  equal  to  once 
around  the  globe. 

THE    "  NIGHT    SESSION  " 

It  was  at  this  meeting  of  the  National  Council  that  the  famous 
"  all  night  session  "  was  held.  The  two  elements  of  the  National 
Body  were  very  nearly  equal  in  numerical  strength,  while  in  debate 
and  parliamentary  strategy,  both  sides  possessed  men  of  intellect, 
ability  and  leadership.  The  contest  waged  all  through  the  night, 
the  minority  making  motions  to  adjourn  while  the  administra- 
tion forces  had  one  supreme  object,  to  save  the  Orphans'  Home 
and  preserve  the  institution.  The  majority  party  refused  to 
adjourn,  although  ten  times  had  the  motion  been  made  and  ten 


UNITED  AMERICAN   MECHANICS  845 

times  it  had  been  rejected.  The  purpose  of  the  dominant  party 
was  to  act  upon  all  important  questions  before  there  should  be  a 
break  in  the  solid  phalanx  of  the  "  Old  Guard,"  and  when  that  was 
accomplished,  at  4  a.m.,  the  majority  party  agreed  to  adjourn  until 
1.10  p.m.  same  day.  It  was  in  the  early  morning  hours  of  this 
strenuous  session  that  the  following  officers  were  installed : 

National  Councilor — P.  A.  Shanor,  of  Pennsylvania, 
National  Vice-Councilor — Joseph  Powell,  of  Colorado, 
National  Treasurer — J.  Adam  Sohl,  of  Maryland, 
National  Conductor — W.  S.  Schenck,  of  Washington, 
National  Warden — D.  C.  Gallahan,  of  Kansas, 
National  Inside  Sentinel — H.  G.  Smith,  of  Kentucky, 
National  Outside  Sentinel — E.  R.  Dillingham,  of  Georgia, 
National  C  haplain — Rev.  H.  A.  Slaughter,  of  Missouri. 

From  the  present  standpoint,  the  action  of  the  majority  in 
persistently  holding  their  people  during  the  long  hours  of  that 
night,  not  even  permitting  them  to  go  out  for  food,  may  be  criti- 
cized. To  what  purpose  this  taxing  of  the  physical  as  well  as  men- 
tal powers,  it  may  be  asked?  Was  it  a  desire  for  supremacy  upou 
the  part  of  the  leaders?  In  a  sense  it  may  have  been;  but  an 
analysis  of  the  work  done  demonstrates  that  the  purposes  of  the 
leaders  of  the  majority  were  higher  than  mere  supremacy;  that 
they  were  actuated  by  loftier  ideals,  the  ultimate  good  of  the  organ- 
ization. In  justice  to  the  majority,  the  "  stayers,"  it  can  be  said 
that  had  it  not  been  for  their  persistency,  the  pride  and  boast 
of  our  Order,  the  Orphans'  Home,  might  have  passed  as  a  mere 
dream,  for  it  was  in  this  all  night  session  that  the  "  sinews  of  war  " 
were  voted  that  made  the  Home  a  fact.  The  minority  party  had 
strongly  opposed  the  Home,  its  establishment  as  well  as  location, 
and  that  which  they  could  not  prevent  at  the  last  session  they  en- 
deavored to  embarrass  and  cripple  at  this  session.  Hence,  they 
resorted  to  all  parliamentary  tactics  they  were  capable  of  suggest- 
ing in  order  to  defeat  the  plans  for  the  maintenance  of  the  Home 
already  established.  If  by  delaying  of  action  on  this  important 
question  they  could  catch  the  majority  without  their  full  force  on 
the  ground,  or  hold  the  session  in  order  that  some  might  weary  and 
leave,  was  the  hope  of  the  minority  in  fighting  for  adjourn  men  I 
during  this  session  until  the  morning,  when,  by  "wire  pulling/' 
they  might  gain  a  few  members  who  could  be  found  of  a  vacillat- 
ing character,  and  thus  defeat  the  grandest  proposition  ever  pre- 
sented to  the  National  Body.  In  view  of  what  was  accomplished, 
the  friends  of  our  dear  Home  owe  a  vote  of  thanks  to  those  tireless 


346  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

leaders  who  "  held  the  fort "  at  Denver  into  the  "  wee  small  hours 
of  the  morning,"  for  it  was  in  those  hours  that  the  National 
Orphans'  Home  was  placed  upon  a  solid  foundation. 


PITTSBURG,    PA.,    1897 

The  Twenty-ninth  Annual  Session  of  the  National  Body  at 
Pittsburg,  Pa.,  June  15-18,  1897,  was  a  remarkable  meeting; 
doubtless  never  in  the  history  of  the  body  was  it  so  royally  enter- 
tained. The  writer  of  these  records,  at  the  time,  resided  in  Pitts- 
burg, and  was  the  State  Councilor  of  the  state,  and  in  virtue  of 
that  position,  was  Chairman  of  the  General  Committee  on  Enter- 
tainment to  receive  and  entertain  the  members  of  the  National 
Council.  The  writer  recalls  the  hard  work  that  was  entailed,  not 
so  much  of  physical  energy,  but  the  mental  strain  that  came  to  him 
in  the  administration  of  the  office  of  Chairman,  in  keeping  preju- 
dices and  party  feelings  subdued  and  preserving  harmony  among 
his  own  people. 

The  entertainment  of  various  kinds  prepared  for  the  members 
of  the  National  Body  was  sumptuous  and  on  a  large  scale ;  but  the 
climax  of  the  whole  affair  was  the  monster  parade  that  took  place 
in  honor  of  the  National  Council — fully  10,000  Juniors  being  in 
line.  It  was  not  only  a  revelation  to  the  members  of  the  National 
Body,  but  an  inspiration  to  witness  such  an  army  of  marching 
patriots  in  a  single  city.  Yet  it  is  just  to  state,  that  other  cities 
where  the  National  Council  had  and  has  met,  to  the  extent  of  their 
ability,  gave  as  royal  a  welcome  and  reception  to  the  body  as  Pitts- 
burg, the  latter  place  having  the  natural  advantage  of  preponder- 
ance of  membership  and  means  over  any  other  city  in  the  land, 
outside  of  Philadelphia. 

National  Councilor  Perry  A.  Shanor  presided  over  the  National 
Body  with  a  master-hand.  Tall,  intellectual,  of  commanding  ap- 
pearance, gentle,  manly  and  courteous  in  spirit,  Brother  Shanor 
exhibited  fine  administrative  ability,  and  by  the  fairness  of  his 
rulings  and  the  dignity  that  he  brought  to  the  Chair  of  the  National 
Councilor,  he  commanded  the  respect  even  of  those  who,  politically, 
were  opposed  to  him.  He  was  ably  assisted  by  National  Vice- 
Councilor  Joseph  Powell. 

The  roll-call  showed  that  more  than  200  members  were  in 
attendance,  representing  36  states  and  territories.  Some  "  mighty 
men  of  valor"  attended  this  session,  and,  although,  as  I  write 
(1906),  nine  years  have  rolled  away,  these  "giants"  of  the  Order 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  347 

are  still  in  the  van  of  the  advancing  hosts  of  patriots.  I  am 
constrained  to  name  a  few:  Shanor,  Powell,  Deemer,  Calver, 
Schenck,  Dillingham,  Cannon,  Billany,  Appleby,  Pierson,  Hamil- 
ton of  Indian  Territory,  Cray,  Reimer,  Ogle,  Buschman,  Woods  of 
Massachusetts,  Gilcreast,  Bainbridge,  Armstrong,  Knapp,  Zimmer- 
man "father  of  the  Orphans'  Home,"  Dr.  Wenner,  Richter,  Mc- 
Donald, Wobensmith,  Wilkin,  Collins,  Weiss,  Kurtz,  Arthur,  Cody, 
Shaler,  Cranston,  Jackson  of  Rhode  Island,  Cooper  of  Texas,  Reeves, 
Sellers,  Houghton,  Borden,  Davis,  Barry,  arid  many  others. 

REPORTS  OF  THE  OFFICERS 

The  reports  of  the  officers  of  the  body  were  replete  with  inter- 
esting facts,  but  space  will  permit  of  only  a  few.  The  National 
Councilor  touched  on  several  important  questions,  by  way  of  sug- 
gestion. He  urged  legislation  on  the  regulation  of  the  political 
phase  of  the  Order,  recognizing  the  Order  as  unquestionably  a 
political  organization,  yet  warning  the  members  thereof  from  being 
drawn  into  partisan  participation,  as  an  Order,  that  would  be 
inconsistent  with  the  objects  of  the  organization  and  forbidden  by 
its  laws. 

National  Vice-Councilor  Powell  suggested  a  revision  of  the 
Ritual  "  from  a  literary  point  of  view  or  otherwise."  As  a  sug- 
gestive thought,  which  became  a  fact  in  1899,  Brother  Powell  adds : 

"  That  our  organic  laws  be  so  revised  as  to  make  them  conform  more 
harmoniously  with  our  system  of  government,  and  such  recognition  be 
sought  of  our  government  as  will  make  the  Junior  Order  the  equal,  at 
least,  of  any  secret  organization." 

The  report  of  the  National  Secretary  was  very  gratifying, 
notwithstanding  the  unrest  that  was  pervading  the  land,  growing 
out  of  the  issues  of  a  strenuous  campaign  for  President.  In  the 
face  of  these  disturbing  issues,  Brother  Deemer  was  able  to  report 
an  increase  of  two  State  Councils,  viz. :  Alabama  and  Indian  Terri- 
tory, 106  Subordinate  Councils  and  10,889  members,  there  being 
in  all,  2,237  Councils  in  the  entire  jurisdiction  and  177,732 
members. 

The  royalties  accruing  from  the  sale  of  emblems,  charts  and  the 
History  of  the  Order  was  quite  an  item  in  the  income  of  the  body, 
amounting  to  $2,500,  $1,600  and  $200  respectively.  The  royalty 
from  the  History  showed  that  2,000  copies  had  been  sold. 

The  report  of  the  Finance  Committee  gave  quite  a  resum6 
of  the  controversy  between  the  National  Councilor  and  the  Com- 


348  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

mittee,  on  bills,  etc.  Whether  the  controversy  was  more  of  a  per- 
sonal matter  on  the  part  of  the  Committee  than  from  purely  busi- 
ness reasons,  is  hard  to  determine  from  the  reading  of  the  records ; 
but  whatever  was  at  the  root  of  the  controversy,  it  was  unfortunate, 
and  in  some  respects,  unseemly. 

ELECTION   OF   OFFICERS 

Previous  to  the  opening  of  the  National  session,  factional 
feeling  ran  very  high  and  promised  a  warm  competition  for  the 
offices  of  the  body.  The  opponents  of  the  administration,  who, 
very  largely,  subsequently,  became  the  "  insurgents,"  had  gloried 
in  the  victory  at  Denver,  in  naming  Pittsburg  as  the  place  for 
the  session  of  1897,  believing,  with  the  presence  of  a  large  number 
of  Past  State  Councilors  from  the  larger  Eastern  states,  they  would 
win  in  the  selection  of  the  officers  and  in  shaping  the  policy  of  the 
Order.  The  administration  party,  however,  were  alert  and  saga- 
cious and  rallied  their  forces,  and  on  the  first  roll-call,  in  which 
party  lines  were  drawn,  the  administration  won;  hence  in  the  elec- 
tion of  officers,  there  was  no  opposition  and  all  were  declared  elected, 
the  reading  clerk  casting  the  vote  of  the  body.  The  following  were 
elected : 

National  Councilor — Joseph  Powell,  of  Colorado, 

National  Vice-Councilor — Frank  W.  Pierson,  of  Delaware, 

National  Secretary — Edw.  S.  Deemer,  of  Pennsylvania, 

National  Treasurer — J.  Adam  Sohl,  of  Maryland, 

National  Conductor — A.  A.  Eskey,  of  West  Virginia, 

National  Warden — A.  L.  Cray,  of  Indiana, 

National  Inside  Sentinel — Geo.  W.  Hobson,  of  Pennsylvania, 

National  Outside  Sentinel — D.  B.  Bowley,  of  California, 

National  Chaplain — Rev.  H.  A.  Slaughter,  of  Missouri. 

RESOLUTIONS 

1.  A  resolution  to  organize  the  colored  race  into  a  separate 
body,  to  which  was  attached  a  census  enumeration  of  the  native 
white  and  colored  male  population  of  the  country  for  1890,  by 
states  and  territories,  over  21  years  of  age,  the  total  being  native 
whites,  10,951,496;  colored,  1,170,455,  was  offered,  but  was  laid 
on  the  table : 

"  Resolved,  That  the  incoming  Board  of  Officers  are  directed  to  apoint 
a  Special  Committee  of  five,  who  shall  consider  the  advisability  of  the 
Order  organizing,  under  its  auspices,  a  separate  Patriotic  Order,  with 
objects  and  principles  similar  to  the  Junior  Order  of  United  American 
Mechanics,  and  that  this  committee  submit  its  report  at  the  next  session." 


UNITED  AMERICAN    MECHANICS  349 

2.  Resolutions  bearing  on  the  Ritual  *"ere  presented.  ( 1  ) 
For  a  committee  to  revise  the  Ritual.  (2)  The  preparation  of  an 
"up-to-date"  Funeral  Ceremony.  (3)  The  preparation  of  a  Busi- 
ness Sign  that  would  not  be  an  infringement  on  the  statute  of 
the  National  government,  and  (4)  The  preparation  of  a  'second 
degree  which  would  be  more  instructive  and  elevating  than  the  one 
commonly  known  as  the  '  Oriental  Degree.'  " 

3.  A  resolution  to  prepare  a  "  National  black-list "  and  all 
members  either  suspended  or  expelled  be  placed  thereon,  was 
indefinitely  postponed. 

REPORT  OF  THE  BOARD  OF  TRUSTEES  OF  NATIONAL 
ORPHANS'   HOME 

A  detailed  report  of  the  Home  was  made  by  the  Trustees. 
Seventeen  pages  of  the  Official  Proceedings  were  filled  with  the 
cash  receipts  and  cash  donations  of  the  Subordinate  Councils  and 
six  pages  with  the  special  donations  of  clothing,  provisions  and 
miscellaneous  supplies,  while  sixteen  pages  were  given  to  the 
itemized  expense  account  of  the  institution. 

During  the  year,  Cottage  No.  1  was  constructed  at  a  cost, 
including  furniture,  of  $9,505.69.  With  impressive  ceremonies 
and  under  the  auspices  of  Young  America  Council,  No.  136,  of 
Tiffin,  Ohio,  the  corner-stone  was  laid  September  2,  1S96.  The 
dedication  of  the  building  was  conducted  by  the  same  Council, 
February  12,  1897,  the  principal  address  being  given  by  Dr.  L.  A. 
Perce,  State  Councilor  of  Ohio. 

The  first  children,  four  in  number,  from  Wanamie  Council, 
No.  549,  of  Wanamie,  Pa.,  were  received  into  the  Home  August 
18,  1896.  To  those  were  added  34  others,  making  38  received 
during  the  year. 

It  is  pleasant  to  note,  that  at  the  end  of  the  year,  by  the 
management  of  a  very  efficient  Board  of  Trustees  and  the  inde- 
fatigible  Superintendent,  Brother  J.  H.  Zimmerman,  the  inven- 
tory of  the  value  of  everything  pertaining  to  the  Home,  exclusive 
of  the  land,  showed  $17,874.25. 

A  very  impressive  feature  of  the  session,  and  it  was  one  of 
the  happiest  moments  of  Brother  Calver's  life,  was  his  introduction 
to  the  National  Body  of  three  of  the  children  from  the  Home,  who 
entertained  the  National  Council  with  songs  and  recitations.  The 
face  of  our  esteemed  Senior  Past  National  Councilor  was  all  aglow 
with  joy,  when,  amid  the  most  hearty  applause,  he  retired  from 
the  Council  room  with  his  wards,  realizing  that  by  their  presence. 


350  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

the  bonds  of  love  for  the  Home  were  made  stronger  in  the  hearts 
of  the  members  of  the  National  Body. 

REPORT  OF  COMMITTEE  ON  LAW 

A  large  number  of  changes  in  the  General  Laws  and  Consti- 
tution of  the  National  Council  were  recommended  by  the  Commit- 
tee on  Law  and  much  of  the  time  of  the  body  was  taken  in  their 
consideration.  The  more  important  changes  and  amendments 
were  as  follows : 

1.  To  add  to  the  Fourth  Object  the  words  "  Orphans'  Fund,"  which 
was  adopted  subject  to  the  approval  of  the  Subordinate  Councils. 

2.  Amending  General  Law  1,  by  a  new  section  as  follows:  "Any 
member  of  this  Order  who  shall,  after  August  1,  1897,  engage  or  continue 
in  the  manufacture  or  wholesale  or  retail  sale  of  alcohol,  spirituous  or 
malt  liquors,  to  be  used  as  a  beverage,  shall  be  tried  on  charges  preferred 
in  the  Subordinate  Council  to  which  he  belongs,  and  if  found  guilty,  shall 
be  expelled." 

3.  Amendments  to  reduce  and  to  equalize  representation  in  the 
National  Council  were  introduced  but  the  same  were  indefinitely  postponed. 

4.  To  amend  Section  1,  Art.  IV,  National  Constitution,  by  striking 
out  "  and  uphold  the  reading  the  Holy  Bible  therein,"  action  on  which, 
however,  was  indefinitely  postponed. 

5.  That  the  Board  of  Trustees  of  the  Orphans'  Home  shall  be  con- 
sidered and  was  declared  a  regular  constituted  Committee,  entitled  to 
be  paid  their  expenses  as  other  committees  of  the  National  Council. 

REPORT  OF  THE  NATIONAL  LEGISLATIVE  COMMITTEE 

This  Committee,  consisting  of  Brothers  A.  D.  Wilkin,  Stephen 
Collins,  Rev.  W.  G.  Cassard,  James  Cranston  and  Robert  Carson, 
was  actively  engaged,  through  its  Secretary,  Brother  Collins,  to 
"  line  up  "  Congress  in  the  interest  of  legislation  in  harmony  with 
the  objects  and  principles  of  the  Order.  The  Committee  agreed  to 
confine  their  efforts  to  have  reintroduced  certain  bills  which  had 
died  in  the  last  Congress,  and  endeavor  to  secure  their  passage 
and  press  the  Immigration  Bill  passed  by  the  House  in  May,  1896, 
to  a  successful  issue  in  the  Senate.  In  the  face  of  stupendous  oppo- 
sition on  the  part  of  the  steamship  companies,  aided  by  certain  mem- 
bers of  the  House  and  Senate,  the  bill  passed  the  higher  body. 
It  was  the  culmination  of  a  vast  amount  of  labor  on  the  part  of 
the  Committee  and  the  Order,  covering  several  years,  and  the 
fraternity  was  filled  with  joy  at  their  great  victory ;  when  lo ! 
their  joy  was  short-lived,  owing  to  the  swing  of  President  Cleve- 
land's "veto  axe".  The  House  however,  passed  the  bill  over  the 
President's  veto,  but  it  failed  of  passage  in  the  Senate. 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  351 

Other  bills  pressed  by  the  Committee  were: 

1.  "No  State  shall  grant  the  right  of  suffrage  to  any  person  not  :i 
citizen  of  the  United  States." 

2.  "  Prohibiting  any  appropriations  by  the  United  States  for  sec- 
tarian purposes." 

3.  "  To  establish  a  National  University." 

4.  "  To  prevent  the  desecration  of  the  National  Flag." 

The  Committee  also  recommended  to  the  several  State  Council 
Legislative  Committees,  certain  bills,  and  asked  that  they  be  intro- 
duced into  their  respective  State  Legislatures.  Some  of  these  bills 
were  the  following: 

1.  "To  provide  for  the  purchase  and  display  of  American  flags  In 
connection  with  the  Public  School  buildings  of  the  state." 

2.  That  text-books  be  furnished  free  by  the  state  to  the  public 
schools. 

3.  To  compel  parents  to  send  their  children,  from  eight  to  thirteen 
years,  to  the  public  schools,  commonly  known  as  the  "Compulsory  Educa- 
tion Act." 

The  following  resolution,  signed  by  54  members  of  the  Na- 
tional Body,  was  presented  and  approved  : 

"  Whereas,  Military  training  produces  subordination,  discipline, 
healthful  and  graceful  bearing,  as  well  as  proper  feelings  of  relative  depen- 
dence on  our  fellow-men  and  of  Patriotism  for  our  Country  and  Flag; 

"  Resolved,  That  we  urge  all  practical  steps  to  be  taken  as  soon  as 
possible,  to  introduce  into  our  Public  School  System  the  United  States 
Army  tactics  and  drill,  thus  providing,  with  small  expense,  an  army  reserve 
of  millions  of  men  sufficientlv  prepared  for  any  call  of  our  Countrv  and 
Flag." 


LOUISVILLE,    KEN.,    1898 

Louisville,  Kentucky,  entertained  the  National  Council  at  its 
Thirtieth  Annual  Session,  June  21-24,  1898,  National  Councilor 
Joseph  Powell  presiding.  There  were  in  attendance  206  members 
representing  36  State  Councils. 

The  stirring  events  incident  to  the  destruction  of  the  Maine, 
in  Havana  Harbor,  the  declaration  of  war  against  Spain  and  the 
capture  of  Manila  by  Commodore  Dewey,  were  fresh  in  the  minds 
of  the  "  boys "  who  met  in  this  beautiful  Southland  city,  and 
their  patriotism  was  intensified.  Brother  Joseph  Powell,  the  Na- 
tional Councilor,  referring  to  these  events,  adds: 

"  With  such  conditions  prevailing  let  this,  the  Sovereign  body  of  the 
greatest  patriotic  organization  on  the  American  Continent,  rise  equal  to 
the  occasion.  Let  us  demonstrate  to  the  world  that  our  claims  to  pre-emi- 
nence are  not  mere  nothings;  but  in  stern  reality.  Let  us  remember  the 
appropriate  fitness  of  those  of  this  body  who  have  been  summoned  to  the 


352  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

ranks   beyond,   and   those   others  who   have   responded   to   the   call   of   the 
Chieftain  of  our  Nation." 

RECOMMENDATIONS 

Among  the  recommendations  of  the  National  Councilor  were 
the  following: 

1.  That  the  executive  and  judicial  branches  of  the  Order  be  separated, 
and  that  a  judiciary  be  created. 

2.  That  practical  steps  be  taken  to  stop  the  controversy  being  waged 
as  regards  a  Ladies'  Auxiliary. 

3.  That  the  emblem  be  so  changed  that  there  may  not  be  such  a 
striking  resemblance  to  that  of  Masonry. 

4.  That  the  Memorial  service  be  rendered  at  this  session. 

5.  That  Brother  Chas.  P.  Haupt,  of  Washington  Council,  No.  1,  of 
Pennsylvania,  the  only  one  of  the  original  members  of  the  Order  now  a 
member,  be  given  the  honors  of  Past  National  Councilor. 

LADIES'  AUXILIARY 

The  question  of  a  Ladies'  Auxiliary  was  discussed  with  much 
animation  on  the  floor  of  the  National  Council.  As  referred  to  by 
the  National  Councilor,  the  subject  had  been  one  of  bitter  and 
acrimonious  controversy  through  the  press  of  the  Order  between 
the  friends  of  the  Daughters  of  Liberty  and  the  Daughters  of 
America ;  and  to  such  an  extent  had  the  "  battle  been  waged  "  that 
its  influence  had  a  deleterious  effect  on  the  organizing  work  in 
new  territory.  The  National  Councilor  suggested  that  the  only 
hope  of  stopping  the  controversy  was  to  organize  or  create  a 
"  Ladies'  Degree,"  to  be  under  the  control  of  the  National  Council. 

Upon  the  floor  of  the  National  Council  and  in  the  lobby  of 
the  hotel  headquarters,  the  friends  of  both  organizations,  referred 
to  above,  were  equally  anxious  that  their  favored  organization 
should  be  recognized  as  the  auxiliary  to  the  Junior  Order.  Various 
motions  were  offered,  discussed  and  lost.  A  substitute  was  offered, 
that  a  draft  of  a  Constitution  and  By-laws  and  a  Ritual  be  prepared 
for  an  auxiliary  organization,  and  any  one  of  the  two  ladies' 
organizations  that  would  adopt  said  Constitution,  etc.,  may  be 
recognized.  This  substitute,  however,  failed  of  passage.  In  the 
final  test  as  to  whether  the  National  Council  would  endorse  the 
Daughters  of  America  as  the  auxiliary,  the  vote  stood,  yeas,  90; 
nays,  99. 

There  are  many,  doubtless,  who  may  not  be  aware  of  the  fact, 
that  the  splendid  system  of  government  adopted  at  the  Minneapolis 
session,  under  which  the  Order  is  now  working,  was  suggested, 
officially,  at  least,  by  our  esteemed  Brother  Past  National  Coun- 
cilor Joseph  Powell  at  this  session.     Under  the  head  of  "  The 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  353 

Law  "  in  his  report,  following  his  opinion  with  a  recommendation 
as  given  above,  he  says: 

"  We  have  in  the  government  of  our  Order,  too  much  law  by  decision 
and  resolution  rather  than  by  statute.  In  my  mind  we  should  adopt  a 
Constitution  and  set  of  statutes,  create  a  judiciary  and  relieve  the  execu- 
tive of  its  functions,  and  thus  make  the  government  of  our  Order  more 
in  harmony  with  the  American  System.  Another  great  Order  has  done 
this,  and  what  they  can  do,  we  oan  do  also." 

ELECTION    OF   OFFICERS 

The  election  of  officers  and  the  heated  discussion  that  followed 
relative  to  the  National  Chaplain,  occupied  most  of  the  time  on 
the  second  day  of  the  session. 

There  was  but  one  contest  in  the  election  of  officers,  that  ol 
National  Vice-Councilor.     The  result  of  the  election  was  as  follows : 

National  Councilor — F.  W.  Pierson,  of  Delaware, 

National  Vice-Councilor — Charles  Reimer,  of  Maryland   (by  149  votes 

to  57  for  Fred  E.  Parker,  of  New  York), 
National  Treasurer — J.  Adam  Sohl,  of  Maryland, 
National  Conductor — H.  G.  Smith,  of  Kentucky, 
National  Warden — A.  D.  Wilkin,  of  Pennsylvania, 
National  Inside  Sentinel — W.  C.  Pulcifer,  of  Michigan, 
National  Outside  Sentinel — William  Noble,  of  Indian  Territory, 
National  Chaplain — George  W.   Hobson,  of  Pennsylvania. 

Immediately  after  the  election,  the  following  resolution  was 
offered  by  Eobert  Carson,  of  New  Jersey,  which  precipitated  a 
somewhat  acrimonious  debate: 

"  Resolved,  That  it  be  the  sense  of  this  National  Council  that  here- 
after no  member,  not  a  clergyman,  shall  be  eligible  to  the  office  of  Chaplain 
of  the  National  Council." 

A  motion  to  lay  the  whole  matter  on  the  table  having  been 
lost,  P.  N.  C.  Shanor  raised  the  point  of  order,  that  the  resolution 
imposed  a  qualification  for  eligibility  not  warranted  by  law,  which 
the  National  Councilor  declared  well  taken.  An  appeal  having 
been  taken  from  the  decision  of  the  presiding  officer,  the  yeas  and 
nays  were  called,  whereupon,  the  decision  of  the  National  Coun- 
cilor was  sustained  by  133  yeas  to  57  nays. 

The  statistical  report  submitted  by  the  National  Secretary 
showed  that  there  were  nearly  2,300  Councils  and  181,000  members, 
a  gain  of  31  Councils  and  2,2(58  members  since  the  last  session. 

THE  SIXTH   OBJECT 

The  Sixth  Object  of  the  Order,  now  the  Fourth,  adopted  at 
the  last  session,  had  been  scut  to  the  Subordinate  Councils  for  their 
23 


354  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

approval  or  rejection.     The  Committee  to  count  the  vote  reported 
as  follows: 

VOTE   ON  SIXTH  OBJECT 

ALLOWED 

FOB  AGAINST 

Alabama    .' 62                           1 

Arkansas   12 

California    334                         19 

Colorado    665                           1 

Connecticut    '. 120                         13 

Delaware   258                         77 

District  of  Columbia   338                           3 

Florida     34 

Georgia    80 

Idaho    15 

Illinois    103                           6 

Indiana    311 

Indian  Territory   52                        43 

Iowa    57 

Kansas    68 

Kentucky    319                           1 

Louisiana    8 

Maine 45                        49 

Maryland     3,256                      937 

Massachusetts    147                         52 

Michigan   69  4 

Minnesota 160 

Missouri    318                         79 

Montana    17 

Nebraska 40 

Nevada    21                           2 

New   Hampshire    12                         35 

New  Jersey    526                   4,948 

New  Mexico   27 

New   York    275                    1,117 

North  Carolina    205                       123 

Ohio     3,714                         79 

Oregon    32 

Pennsylvania    4,908                   7,825 

Rhode  Island   91                         13 

South  Carolina    132                         57 

South   Dakota    9 

Tennessee     55 

Texas     59 

Vermont    43                         57 

Virginia    827                       523 

Washington    90 

West  Virginia    1,178                      157 

Wisconsin    16                           3 

Wyoming     32 

Majority,  2,916.  19,140                 16,224 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  855 


REJECTED 

FOR  AGAINS 

Massachusetts    13 

Nebraska 75 

New   Jersey    . .  317 

New  Hampshire !>  14 

New   York    20  14 

Ohio     105 

Pennsylvania    107  234 

Texas    8  6 

Vermont    .  .  26 

Virginia     15  36 

West  Virginia    27  23 


339  670 

The  above  vote  presents  some  peculiar  features.  The  Western 
and  Southern  states,  with  a  comparative  unanimity,  voted  in  favor 
of  the  new  Object,  all  having  given  a  majority,  while  Pennsylvania, 
New  York  and  New  Jersey  gave  a  large  majority  against  the 
Object.  Ohio,  very  naturally,  gave  a  large  majority  in  favor  of 
its  adoption.  The  large  number  of  votes  rejected  by  the  commit- 
tee was  for  various  reasons :  No  date,  wrong  date,  no  seal,  no  vote, 
but  reported  unanimously  for  or  against,  no  seal  and  not  reporting 
on  proper  blank. 

REPORT    OF    NATIONAL    LEGISLATIVE    COMMITTEE 

This  important  committee,  composed  of  A.  D.  Wilkin,  Chair- 
man: Stephen  Collins,  Secretary;  R.  J.  Armstrong,  J.  G.  A.  Rich- 
ter  and  M.  D.  Lichliter,  was  active,  especially  through  its  Secre- 
tary, in  the  interest  of  legislation  bearing  on  the  questions  relating 
to  the  Order.  Several  matters  occupied  the  attention  of  the  Com- 
mittee: 

1.  To  Prevent  the  Desecration  of  the  American  Flag.  The 
bill  before  Congress  was  not  satisfactory  to  the  Committee,  but  a 
draft  of  a  bill  prepared  by  them  was  attached  to  their  report,  for 
which  the  endorsement  of  the  National  Body  was  asked. 

2.  The  Committee  protested  against  the  passage  of  a  bill  per- 
mitting any  religious  sect  to  build  houses  of  worship  on  Reserva- 
tions and  at  the  military  Academy  at  West  Point. 

3.  The  Committee  endorsed  a  bill  to  amend  the  Naturalization 
Laws  in  the  interest  of  Americans  and  American  citizenship. 

4.  The  most  important  work  of  the  Committee  was  the  quick 
passage,  through  Senator  Fairbanks,  of  the  "  Lodge  Bill "  restrict- 
ing immigration.     The  writer  recalls  the  courteous  hearing  accorded 


356  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

the  Committee  by  Senator  Fairbanks,  Chairman  of  the  Senate  Com- 
mittee on  Immigration,  at  his  own  home  at  the  opening  of  Con- 
gress. The  Senator  requested  the  Secretary  of  the  Committee  to 
outline  the  views  of  the  Order  he  represented,  at  the  same  time 
remarking,  incidentally  that  he  was  "  new  "  and  "  green "  in  the 
business.  For  a  half  an  hour  the  merits  of  the  question  were  pre- 
sented by  Brother  Collins,  whereupon,  the  Senator  drew  from  his 
desk  a  thoroughly  prepared  speech  on  the  subject  and  read  the 
same  to  the  Committee  showing  that  he  had  already  qualified  him- 
self for  his  new  position.  At  his  request  the  Secretary  of  the 
Committee  mailed  thousands  of  circulars  and  petitions  to  the  Coun- 
cils, and  so  quick  was  the  response  of  the  Order,  that  in  ten  days 
petitions  by  the  thousands  came  into  the  hands  of  Senator  Fair- 
banks, a  bushel  basketful  at  a  time,  and  in  a  very  short  time, 
to  the  surprise  of  every  one,  the  bill  passed  the  Senate  by  a  large 
majority. 

The  bill,  however,  met  violent  opposition  in  the  House  through 
the  German  element  and  steamship  companies,  whereupon,  action 
thereon  was  deferred  until  the  adjourned  session  in  December. 
The  whole  subject  is  more  fully  treated  in  another  place.  To  the 
Secretary  of  the  Committee  is  due  the  success  achieved  in  placing 
the  question  of  immigration  where  it  stood  at  the  time  of  the 
National  session. 

REPORT  OF  COMMITTEE  OF  THE  NATIONAL 
ORPHANS'  HOME 

Marked  advancement  in  the  affairs  of  the  Home  had  been 
made.  Cottage  No.  2  was  nearing  completion  to  meet  the  demands 
for  the  admission  of  children.  The  Councils  of  the  Order  were  very 
generous  in  their  gifts  towards  the  maintenance  of  the  Home,  the 
expenses  of  which  for  the  year  were  $12,000.  The  inventory  of  live 
stock,  furniture,  etc.,  amounted  to  $7,647.14.  From  the  opening 
of  the  Home  until  the  present,  according  to  the  report  of  the  Trus- 
tees, eighty  children  had  been  admitted  to  the  care  of  the  institu- 
tion, leaving,  after  deducting  those  who  had  been  removed  or  taken 
away,  sixty-six. 

THE    RITUAL 

The  Committee  on  Ritual  submitted  an  extended  report, 
recommending  several  changes  in  the  Eitual  which  are  given  more 
fully  in  another  place.  The  same  Committee  submitted  a  form  for 
the  opening  and  closing  of  the  State  Council  and  an  Order  of 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  357 

Business,  both  prepared  by  Brother  Deerner,  and  they  were  adopted. 
A  form  for  the  Installation  of  Chaplain  was  adopted,  but  so  far 
as  the  writer  knows,  the  same  was  never  incorporated  in  the  Form 
for  the  Installation  of  Officers. 

The  contention  for  a  three-degree  Ritual  was  still  in  the 
foreground,  the  State  Council  of  Pennsylvania,  as  per  recommen- 
dation of  its  State  Councilor,  M.  D.  Lichliter,  having  requested 
the  National  Body  to  have  such  degrees  formulated.  In  the  consid- 
eration of  the  subject,  it  was  referred  back  to  the  Kitual  Committee 
with  instructions  to  have  such  Ritual  prepared,  or  two  Rituals,  one 
of  three  degrees  and  one  of  one  degree. 

A  resolution  expressing  thanks  to  Hon.  W.  A.  Stone,  a  mem- 
ber of  Congress  for  championing  the  cause  of  immigration  and 
pledging  him  moral  support  in  his  canvass  for  the  Governorship 
of  Pennsylvania,  was  adopted. 

The  report  of  the  publisher  of  the  History  of  the  Order  showed 
that  from  June  1,  1897,  to  April  30,  1898,  1,812  copies  of  the 
History  had  been  sold,  leaving  to  the  National  Council  $181.20 
in  royalty. 

As  expressive  of  the  patriotic  emotions  that  stirred  the  hearts 
of  the  members  of  the  National  Body,  the  following  was  read  and 
unanimously  adopted: 

"  Whereas,  Our  country  has  in  the  cause  of  humanity  declared  war 
against  Spain,  and  the  call  has  gone  forth  for  volunteers  to  gather  to  the 
support  of  the  flag.     Therefore,  be  it 

"  Resolved,  That  we  heartily  endorse  the  action  of  the  President  of 
the  United  States  and  its  representatives  in  Congress  assembled  in  thus 
resolving  to  drive  from  the  Western  Hemisphere  the  tyrant  Spain. 

"  Resolved,  That  we  hereby  pledge  our  loyal  support  to  '  Our  Country  ' 
in  this  hour  of  need. 

"  Resolved  further,  That  we  heartily  endorse  the  appeal  of  our  National 
Councilor,  Joseph  Powell,  in  his  circular  letter  to  the  members  of  the 
Order  under  date  of  April  23,  1898. 

"  G.  Howell  Arthur,  "  Jas.  A.  Miller, 

"  Stephen  Collins,  "  A.  A.  Jackson, 

"  John  R.  Marlin,  "  Geo.  W.  Hobson, 

"  A.  D.  Wilkin,  "  J.  Russell  Smith, 

"  Cyrus  S.  Weiss,  "  M.  D.  Lichliter, 

"  Sam'l  S.  Sibbs,  "  R.  A.  Maoill, 

"  W.  F.  Knapp,  '•  Chas.  H.  Kurtz." 


CHAPTER   XXIII 
SESSIONS    OF  THE  NATIONAL   COUNCIL   (Continued) 

MINNEAPOLIS,  MINN.,  1899 

MINNEAPOLIS,  Minn.,  was  the  gathering  point  for  the 
Thirty-first  Annual  Session  of  the  National  Council,  June 
20-23,  1S99,  with  National  Councilor  F.  W.  Pierson  in  the  Chair, 
there  being  present  at  roll-call  185  members. 

In  the  annals  of  the  Jr.  0.  U.  A.  M.,  the  Minneapolis  session 
of  the  National  Body,  doubtless,  stands  forth  as  the  most  con- 
spicuous of  any  previously  held  or  since,  as  from  the  results  of  the 
legislation  enacted,  there  came  the  "  parting  of  the  ways  "  in  the 
Order  and  the  insurrection  that  very  nearly  destroyed  the  organ- 
ization ;  at  least  crippled  it  for  years.  Here  the  Junior  Order  had 
reached  its  "  high  water-mark,"  only  to  be  hurled  back,  temporarily, 
by  internal  strife  that  for  awhile  threatened  the  "  old  ship  "  as  she 
tossed  upon  the  "  breakers  " ;  but  with  a  hull  constructed  of  the 
planks,  Virtue,  Liberty  and  Patriotism,  and  with  good  pilots  at 
the  helm  and  "  battle  scarred  seaman  "  on  deck,  the  craft  gallantly 
rode  the  wild  waves  and  passed  through  the  storm,  and  to-day,  with 
"  Old  Glory  "  streaming  from  her  masthead,  she  sails  in  royal  splen- 
dor upon  a  quiet  sea.  All  honor  to  the  leaders  who  stood  by  her  in 
the  tempest  until  she  weathered  the  gale  and  rode  forth  in  all  her 
glory  and  power. 

The  Credential  Committee  reported  37  states  and  territories 
entitled  to  representation  in  the  National  Body;  but  owing  to  lack 
of  funds  in  some  of  the  states,  their  Kepresentatives  could  not 
attend,  hence  only  29  states  were  represented  at  the  session, 
While  about  500  entitled  to  the  privileges  of  the  floor  and  a  voice 
in  the  National  Council,  either  as  Kepresentatives  or  Past  National 
and  Past  State  Councilors,  were  reported  eligible  to  admission, 
still  only  185  of  that  number  were  in  attendance. 

REPORTS    OE    OFFICERS 

The  reports  of  the  officers  showed  some  advancement.  The 
State  Council  of  Arkansas  had  been  instituted  by  the  National 
Organizer,  Brother  Borden,  who,  during  the  year  travelled  24,000 
miles  in  prosecuting  his  work.     National  Councilor  Pierson,  with 

358 


UNITED  AMERICAN   MECHANICS  359 

pardonable  pride,  spoke  of  the  great  progress  made  in  his  little 
state  of  Delaware  where  seven  new  Councils  had  been  organized 
and  500  members  initiated. 

The  National  Secretary  reported  a  loss  from  last  statement 
of  125  Councils,  there  being  2,104  in  all.  The  gain  in  membership 
was  2,677,  there  being  a  total  in  the  Order  of  183,508,  making- 
next  the  highest  number  ever  reported  in  the  National  Body.  As 
a  matter  of  record  for  the  close  of  the  century,  the  following  tabu- 
lation by  states  and  territories  is  given: 

Alabama    275  Montana    117 

Arkansas    26  Nebraska    97 

California    1,545  Nevada    96 

Colorado    1,331  New  Hampshire   1,054 

Connecticut    891  New   Jersey    29,307 

Delaware    2,701  New  Mexico    44 

Dist.    of    Columbia...    1,671  New  York    7,934 

Florida    28  North  Carolina   2,725 

Georgia    572  Ohio   13,977 

Idaho    55  Oregon    99 

Illinois    701  Pennsylvania    76,967 

Indiana    1,023  Rhode  Island 398 

Indian   Territory    ....       618  South  Carolina   548 

Iowa    147  South  Dakota   30 

Kansas    205  Tennessee    824 

Kentucky     1,332  Texas    420 

Louisiana    56  Vermont    813 

Maine    471  Virginia     7,666 

Massachusetts    1,231  Washington    272 

Maryland     18,718  West   Virginia    6,228 

Michigan    291  Wisconsin    185 

Minnesota   303  Wyoming    75 

Missouri     1,400 

The  report  also  showed  that  the  Councils  of  the  entire  juris- 
diction were  worth  nearly  two  million  of  dollars.  An  appendix 
gave  the  names  of  those  of  the  Order  who  had  gone  to  the  front 
in  the  Spanish- American  war;  while  the  number  reported  was 
large,  still  it  is  quite  clear  that  the  report  was  incomplete,  since 
no  response  came  to  the  notice  of  the  National  Secretary  from  a 
great  many  Councils. 

THE    NEW    LAWS 

The  most  important  legislation  enacted  at  this  session,  and  the 
most  far  reaching,  and  at  the  time  thought  to  be  most  radical,  was 
the  adoption  of  a  new  Constitution  and  a  code  of  laws  for  the 
organization.  In  his  report  to  the  National  Body  at  Louisville, 
as  noted  in  former  chapter,  National  Councilor  Brother  Powell 
said : 


360  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

"  We  have  in  the  government  of  our  Order,  too  much  law  by  decision 
and  resolution,  rather  than  by  statutes.  In  my  opinion  we  should  adopt 
a  Constitution  and  a  set  of  statutes,  create  a  judiciary  and  relieve  the 
executive  of  this  function,  and  thus  make  the  government  of  our  Order 
more  in  harmony  with  the  American  System." 

In  harmony  with  this  suggestion,  the  following  recommen- 
dation of  the  National  Councilor  was  adopted  by  the  National 
Council : 

"  That  the  executive  and  judicial  branches  of  our  Order  be  separated, 
and  that  a  judiciary  be  created." 

In  conformity  with  the  above  suggestion,  the  Law  Committee, 
consisting  of  Bros.  H.  H.  Eddy,  J.  A.  Flint  and  F.  W.  Houghton, 
submitted  an  entire  revision  of  the  National  Council  Constitution 
and  National  Council  Laws,  following  the  plan  of  the  United  States 
system  of  government,  the  Executive,  the  Legislative  and  the  Judi- 
cial, as  we  have  it  in  the  Order  to-day  (See  page  414). 

In  the  consideration  of  the  report  of  the  Committee,  the 
National  Council  went  into  the  Committee  of  the  Whole,  and  after 
sitting  twice,  arose  and  reported  back  to  the  National  Body  the 
results  of  their  deliberations,  whereupon,  the  revised  Constitution 
and  Laws  were  adopted.  While  the  deliberations  in  the  Committee 
of  the  Whole  are  not  a  part  of  record,  yet  it  might  be  stated  that 
the  new  laws  were  not  agreed  upon  without  a  sharp  contest.  The 
element  in  the  National  Council  not  in  harmony  with  the  adminis- 
tration party,  fought  the  laws  bitterly,  but  their  efforts  proved  un- 
availing, and  after  the  most  careful  consideration  of  the  revised 
code,  section  by  section,  in  which  the  legal  mind  of  Brother  Smith  W. 
Bennett,  of  Ohio,  had  full  play  in  clearing  up  some  of  the  intricate 
problems  connected  with  the  new  laws  and  Constitution,  they  were 
accepted  by  a  large  vote  of  the  Committee.  History  records  some 
remarkable  incidents  of  legal  outbursts  of  jurists  before  courts  ol 
justice,  yet  it  is  scarcely  possible  that  these  displays  of  quick  wit 
and  repartee  could  surpass  those  flashes  of  legal  brilliancy  that 
characterized  Brother  Bennett's  replies  to  his  opponents  in  the 
discussion  of  the  revised  code. 

THE  BENEFICIARY  DEGREE 

The  Committee  on  Endowment  Bank,  appointed  in  conformity 
with  a  resolution  adopted  at  Louisville  in  1898,  to  investigate  a 
suitable  plan  of  insurance  in  connection  with  the  Order,  submitted 
their  report  and  presented  the  following  recommendations : 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  361 

"1.  We  recommend  that  the  National  Council  establish  an  insurance 
branch  in  connection  with  our  Order,  which  shall  be  known  and  desig- 
nated as  the  Beneficiary  Degree. 

"  2.  We  recommend  that  the  Beneficiary  Degree  be  managed  and 
controlled  by  the  National  Council,  through  duly  elected  officers  to  be 
known  as  the  '  Board  of  Control '." 

In  conformity  with  the  recommendation  of  the  Committee, 
a  code  of  laws  governing  the  Degree  were  submitted,  which,  after 
being  considered  in  the  Committee  of  the  Whole,  were  adopted  with- 
out amendment,  by  the  National  Body.  The  Committee  was  a 
very  efficient  one,  viz.:  Dr.  J.  L.  Cooper,  A.  G.  Bainbridge  and 
Dr.  K.  Atmar  Smith. 

NATIONAL   LEGISLATION 

The  Committee  on  Legislation  consisted  of  the  following: 
Rev.  M.  D.  Lichliter,  Chairman,  H.  H.  Billany, 

Stephen  Collins,  Secretary,  Koger  J.  Armstrong, 

James  Cranston. 

Owing  to  the  excitement  growing  out  of  the  Spanish-American 
war  and  the  opposition  of  many  of  the  leaders  of  Congress  to  the 
consideration  of  the  immigration  question,  nothing  was  done. 
Two  efforts  were  made  to  bring  the  issue  before  the  House  of 
Representatives,  but  failed,  the  last  vote,  however,  showed  but  two 
of  a  majority  against  it,  the  vote  being  ayes,  101 ;  nays,  103. 

A  bill  was  submitted  by  the  Committee,  entitled  "  To  Protect 
the  American  Flag  from  Insult  and  Desecration."  The  bill,  how- 
ever, was  pigeon-holed  by  the  Chairman  of  the  House  Judiciary 
Committee,  D.  B.  Henderson,  always  an  opponent  of  the  Order  and 
true  Americanism.  The  Committee,  however,  in  the  name  of  the 
Order,  were  successful  in  defeating  the  amendments  to  appropriate 
moneys  for  sectarian  purposes  in  the  District  of  Columbia. 

RITUAL 

The  Committee  on  Ritual  reported  at  length  on  the  subject 
referred  to  them.  The  sentiment  of  the  National  Body  being  in 
favor  of  a  three-degree  Ritual,  with  a  modified  form  of  the  same, 
to  be  used  optionally,  the  Committee  submitted  a  composite  three- 
degree  Ritual,  prepared  by  P.  S.  C,  M.  D.  Lichliter,of  Pennsylvania, 
and  Representative  F.  F.  Hopkins,  of  Washington,  with  the  under- 
standing that  if  the  National  Council  adopted  the  one  submitted. 
and  desired  a  modified,  or  one-degree  Ritual,  the  Committee  would 
prepare  an  abbreviated  version  of  the  First  and  Second  Degrees 
to  be  used  in  connection  with  the  Third  or  Patriotic  Degree. 


362  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

The  Ritual  presented  was  exemplified  by  the  Committee,  and 
the  report  of  same  was  received.  Subsequently  a  proposal  for  a 
statute  was  offered  by  Brother  C.  F.  Reeves,  of  Washington,  Chair- 
man of  Ritual  Committee,  that  the  three-degree  Ritual,  as  pre- 
sented, be  adopted,  with  the  proviso,  that  it  be  referred  back  to  the 
Committee  for  revision,  as  well  as  the  preparation  of  a  modified 
form  of  same.  The  Committee  on  Ritual  reported  favorably  on 
the  statute,  and  a  motion  to  adopt  was  made,  which  was  substituted 
by  a  motion  to  so  amend  as  to  continue  the  Committee  for  another 
year  and  that  they  offer  $500  for  a  Ritual,  open  to  competition  by 
members  of  the  Order.  The  substitute  was  adopted  and  thus  was 
shelved  the  much-mooted  question. 

ladies'  degree 

The  question  of  a  Woman's  Auxiliary  had  been  a  disturbing 
factor  in  the  National  Council.  Friends  of  both  the  Daughters 
of  America  and  Daughters  of  Liberty  had  for  a  few  years  past  been 
knocking  at  the  door  of  the  National  Council  asking  for  recognition 
of  their  favorite  Order.  At  the  session  in  Louisville,  the  lobbies 
of  the  hotels  were  used  to  "  button-hole "  members  of  the 
National  Council,  while  at  the  same  time  much  bitter  feeling  was 
created.  The  sentiment  of  the  National  Council  was  that  of 
neutrality  on  the  question,  as  there  were  friends  of  both  organiza- 
tions in  the  body,  and  it  was  thought  inadvisable  to  recognize  the 
one  to  the  exclusion  of  the  other.  Hence  it  was  thought  advisable 
to  take  the  "  middle  ground  "  and  adopt  a  Ladies'  Degree  to  be 
under  the  supervision  of  the  National  Body.  Pursuant  to  the  action 
of  the  Louisville  session,  the  Committee  appointed  by  the  National 
Councilor,  submitted  to  this  session  of  the  body  a  code  of  laws  to 
govern  such  auxiliary.  In  the  consideration  of  same,  a  motion  to 
postpone  indefinitely  was  defeated  by  a  vote  of  42  ayes  to  45  nays. 
On  motion,  however,  of  Brother  Smith  W.  Bennett,  the  report  of 
the  Committee  was  laid  on  the  table.  Subsequently,  the  following 
was  presented,  and  was  adopted  by  ayes,  89,  nays,  68,  and  the  same 
was  referred  to  the  State  Councils  for  approval : 

"  We  hereby  propose  the  following,  to  be  known  as  Article  15,  of  the 
National  Council  Constitution: 

"  The  National  Council  may  by  law  provide  for  a  Woman's  Auxiliary." 

The  Trustees  of  the  Orphans'  Home  in  their  report  stated  that 
Cottage  No.  2  had  been  completed  and  other  improvements  made. 


UNITED  AMERICAN   MECHANICS  363 

During  the  year  another  change  in  the  Superintendency  was  made, 
Brother  J.  R.  Boblits  resigning  and  Truman  W.  Varian  being 
elected  in  his  place.  The  second  death  in  the  Home  occurred  dur- 
ing the  year,  that  of  Luella  Vanarsdale,  known  as  No.  1,  she  being 
the  first  one  to  be  admitted  to  the  institution.  Her  death  occurred 
on  October  19,  1898. 

The  number  of  children  in  the  Home  April  30,  1899,  was  84, 
being  an  increase  of  18  during  the  year.  The  inventory  of  the 
Home  showed  a  valuation  of  $62,877.20. 

Following  the  adoption  of  the  revised  Constitution,  the  first 
amendment  to  same  was  presented,  having  in  view  the  change  of 
name  to  "  United  Americans."  As  required  by  the  new  laws,  the 
ayes  and  nays  were  called,  there  being  118  votes  in  favor  of  the 
proposed  change  and  21  against.  The  question  was  then  referred 
to  the  several  State  Councils  for  approval  or  rejection. 

After  a  busy  and  strenuous  session,  during  which  time  the 
"  mutterings  of  the  coming  storm  "  were  heard  from  the  malcon- 
tents, the  National  Council  came  to  a  close  with  the  following  offi- 
cers for  the  ensuing  year: 

National  Councilor — Charles  fteimer,  of  Maryland, 
National  Vice-Councilor — Charles    F.   Reeves,    of   Washington, 
National  Treasurer — J.  Adam  Sohl,  of  Maryland, 
National  Conductor — J.  A.  Shields,  of  Nebraska, 
National  Warden — James  A.  Miller,  of  Pennsylvania, 
National  Inside  Sentinel — H.  J.  Shannen,  of  Georgia, 
National  Outside  Sentinel — E.  W.  Sellers,  of  Wisconsin, 
National  Chaplain — Rev.  C.  A.  G.  Thomas,  of  North  Carolina. 

We  shall  in  this  connection  refrain  from  making  any  com- 
ments on  the  proceedings  and  ultimate  results  of  the  actions  of 
this  session,  as  we  have  more  fully  referred  to  the  session  as  furnish- 
ing some  of  the  alleged  causes  for  the  "  split "  in  the  organization. 
Suffice  it  to  say,  that  in  the  controversy  the  most  bitter  animosity 
was  engendered,  and  it  is  possible  that  the  dominant  party  carried 
out  their  measures  with  too  strong  a  hand,  having  a  large  majority 
of  the  body  with  them.  Party  spirit  ran  high,  the  blood  coursed 
rapidly  in  the  veins,  and  although  sincere  in  their  deliberations, 
it  is  pretty  generally  conceded  now  as  time  has  cooled  the  ardor 
and  quenched  the  fire  of  party  strife,  that  if  both  sides  were  to  pass 
through  the  same  struggle  to-day  there  would  be  a  different  result. 
How  different  the  spirit  now  between  the  Blue  and  Gray  more  than 
two^score  years  after  Appomattox,  than  it  was  then  when  brother 
against  brother,  each  feeling  that  ho  was  in  the  right,  fought  eacli 
other  to  the  death  on  the  bloody  battle-field.     To-day  the  memories 


364  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

of  the  past  are  swallowed  up  in  the  patriotism  of  the  present. 
The  "  hloody  angle "  on  Gettysburg's  gory  field  where  the  noble 
and  brave  Armisted  reached  the  "  high  water-mark  "  of  the  Con- 
federacy and  fell,  surrounded  by  hundreds  of  as  brave  men  as 
ever  carried  a  musket  or  wielded  a  sword,  there  at  that  same  spot, 
43  years  after,  the  remnants  of  Pickett's  undaunted  legions  and 
those  of  Pennsylvania's  heroes  who  met  them  with  sword  and 
bayonet,  held  a  reunion,  at  which  time  the  widow  of  the  brave 
Pickett,  like  a  white  dove  of  peace,  was  the  most  conspicuous  guest 
of  the  "  Boys  in  Blue  " ;  and  there  in  the  quiet  of  a  September 
day  the  sword  of  Armisted  that  fell  as  a  trophy  to  a  Northerner, 
was  relinquished  and  returned  to  the  "  Boys  in  Gray  "  who  sur- 
vived that  terrible  day,  as  the  followers  of  their  devoted  chieftain. 
Is  it  too  much  to  anticipate  that  the  bloodless  chasm  made 
at  the  Minneapolis  session  may  yet  be  bridged  by  the  planks  of  Vir- 
tue, Liberty  and  Patriotism,  and  some  "  glad  day "  the  foemen, 
who,  in  1899,  crossed  lances  in  party  strife,  may  meet  at  the  same 
city  representing  an  army  of  300,000  patriots,  in  a  blessed  reunion, 
speaking  not  of  the  past,  only  of  its  victories,  and  joining  hand 
and  heart  in  one  solid  phalanx  for  the  battle  of  Armegeddon  that 
is  to  be  fought  and  won. 

PHILADELPHIA,  PA.,  1900 

The  Thirty-second  Annual  Session  of  the  National  Council, 
pursuant  to  the  call  of  the  National  Councilor,  was  held  in  the 
City  of  Philadelphia,  June  19-21,  1900,  with  National  Councilor 
Charles  Reimer  in  the  Chair,  assisted  by  N.  V.  C,  C.  P.  Reeves. 

With  the  exception  of  the  last  session  at  Minneapolis,  when 
the  legislation  enacted  was  to  have  a  mightier  influence  than  that 
of  any  previous  session  of  the  National  Body,  the  session  held  at 
Philadelphia  will  go  down  in  history  as  the  most  important  in  the 
annals  of  the  Order.  The  organization  was  in  the  throes  of 
rebellion,  and  was  fighting  for  its  very  life  against  the  most  unreas- 
onable conspiracy  ever  concocted  in  any  fraternal  association; 
hence  this  National  session  stands  out  as  conspicuously  important, 
for  here  the  National  Council  was  enabled  to  ratify  all  that  was  done 
at  Minneapolis,  and  to  forever  establish  the  body  as  the  Supreme 
Head  of  the  Junior  Order  of  United  American  Mechanics  of  the 
United  States  of  North  America. 

As  the  subject  has  been  more  fully  treated  in  another  chapter, 
only  a  brief  reference  can  be  made  in  this  connection  to  those 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  365 

stirring  scenes  in  this  critical  hour  of  the  Order,  when  the  hearts 
of  loyal  men  trembled  for  their  beloved  organization. 

The  question  having  been  raised  by  the  "  insurgents "  that 
the  Minneapolis  session  of  the  National  Council  was  illegal,  claim- 
ing that  the  charter  did  not  permit  the  National  Body  to  meet  be- 
yond the  boundaries  of  the  State  of  Pennsylvania;  and  this  position 
having  been  affirmed  by  the  Dauphin  County  Court  of  Pennsylvania 
thereby  jeopardizing  all  legislation  of  the  Minneapolis  session, 
in  fact  that  of  every  session  previous  to  1899,  held  outside  the 
state,  the  National  Councilor  issued  a  proclamation  changing  the 
meeting  of  the  body  from  Detroit,  Michigan  to  Philadelphia,  Pa. 
In  the  meantime  the  attorneys  for  the  National  Council  had  ap- 
pealed from  the  opinion  of  the  lower  court  to  the  Supreme  Court 
of  the  state,  thereby  leaving  all  issues  undetermined  as  well  as 
unimpeded  as  promulgated  at  Minneapolis. 

Following  the  report  of  the  Credential  Committee,  the  first 
action  of  the  National  Council  was  the  enactment  of  a  statute,  by 
a  vote  of  183  ayes  and  no  nays,  as  follows: 

"A  RESOLUTION 

"  Title — Ratifying,  Approving,  and  Confirming,  all  and  every,  the 
Proceedings,  Acts,  Resolutions,  Elections,  Laws,  Decisions,  Decrees,  the 
Incorporation  of  the  National  Council,  and  Amendments  thereto  at  any 
time  heretofore  made  and  done  by  this  National  Council. 

"Be  it  Resolved  by  the  National  Council,  Junior  Order  United  Amer- 
ican Mechanics,  That, 

"  Whereas,  the  Court  of  Common  Pleas,  in  and  for  the  County 
of  Dauphin,  on  or  about  the  tenth  day  of  March,  1900,  entered  a  decree 
in  certain  proceedings  held  therein  at  the  suit  of  Derry  Council  vs.  the 
State  and  National  Councils,  Junior  Order  United  American  Mechanics, 
declaring  illegal  and  invalid,  null  and  void,  all  acts  and  proceedings, 
ordinances  and  laws,  had  and  enacted,  at  Minneapolis,  by  the  National 
Council,  Junior  Order  United  American  Mechanics  of  the  United  States 
of  North  America;  and 

"  Whereas,  The  sole  ground  for  the  decision  and  decree  thus  made 
was  by  reason  of  the  adoption  thereof  at  a  session  held  beyond  the  State 
of  Pennsylvania,  and  for  no  other  reason;   and 

"  Whereas,  Nearly  all  the  sessions  of  the  National  Council  have 
been  held  without  objection  or  protest  on  the  part  of  any  one  at  places 
beyond  the  State  of  Pennsylvania :   and 

"  Whereas,  It  is  the  desire  to  remove  any  and  all  doubts  of  the 
legality  of  the  actions  of  the  National  Council,  and  in  an  endeavor  to 
comply  with  the  mandates  and  decrees  of  said  Court,  and  to  remove 
any  doubt  as  to  the  constitutionality  of  such  laws,  ordinances  and  acts, 
that  the  National  Council  in  convention  assembled  at  Philadelphia  hereby 
adopts,   ratifies,   approves   and    publishes,   all    and   every,   of   the   proceed- 


366  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

ings,  acts,  election  of  officers,  resolutions,  laws,  decisions,  and  decrees,  at 
any  time  heretofore  made  or  done  by  this  National  Council  whenever 
and  wherever  assembled,  whether  in  the  State  of  Pennsylvania,  City  of 
Philadelphia,  or  at  any  other  time  or  place,  whether  in  general  and 
special  session,  with  the  same  force  and  effect  as  though  the  same  were 
herein  particularly,  especially  and  at  length  set  forth,  including  its 
incorporation  by  the  Court  of  Common  Pleas  No.  3,  of  Philadelphia,  on 
the  tenth  day  of  April,  1893,  and  the  amendments  thereto  to  the  end 
and  intent  as  though  the  same  had  been  truly  passed,  made  and  adopted, 
at  a  session  of  the  National  Council  held  in  the  City  of  Philadelphia  and 
State  of  Pennsylvania." 

We  have  deemed  it  best  to  present  to  the  thousands  of  readers 
of  this  volume  this  valuable  paper,  which  is  worthy  to  be  preserved 
in  the  archives  of  the  Order.  It  is  quite  apparent  that  in  the 
struggle  for  the  life  of  the  Jr.  0.  U.  A.  M.,  that  the  organization 
was  fortunate  in  having  legal  talent,  both  in  and  out  the  Order, 
of  the  highest  character,  and  although  the  cost  to  maintain  the 
legal  battle  for  years  was  large,  yet  it  was  a  necessity  to  employ 
the  very  best  legal  ability. 

Pending  the  consideration  of  the  resolution,  it  was  withdrawn 
and  offered  as  a  statute  as  noted  above,  and  then  reoffered  as  a 
resolution  and  passed  unanimously,  thus  making  the  action  doubly 
secure. 

Protests  emanating  from  the  "  insurgents "  of  New  Jersey, 
New  York,  District  of  Columbia,  Virginia  and  Pennsylvania  were 
presented  to  the  National  Body  claiming  that  the  call  for  the  session 
at  Philadelphia  was  illegal  and  contrary  to  law,  and  at  the  same 
time  reciting  their  wrongs  at  the  hands  of  the  National  Council. 
The  following  paper  signed  by  the  Representatives,  Past  National 
and  State  Councilors,  representing  the  insurgent  element  of  the 
states  noted  above,  was  read  and  referred  to  the  Law  Committee: 

"  To   the  Officers  and  Members  of   tihe   National   Council,   Jr.  0.  U.  A.  M., 
U.  S.  A. 

"  Greeting. — 

"Whereas,  This  session  of  the  National  Council  of  the  Junior  Order 
United  American  Mechanics,  is  in  our  opinion,  an  illegal  one  in  that  the 
call  for  the  same  is  without  warrant  in  law;   therefore,  be  it 

"  Resolved,  That  all  and  every  one  of  the  States  represented  in  the 
fight  against  the  grievances  existing  in  and  emanating  from  the  said 
National  Council  do  hereby  protest  against  the  holding  of  said  session 
in  the  City  of  Philadelphia,  in  the  State  of  Pennsylvania  on  June  19, 
1900,  or  any  other  day  subsequent  thereto." 

The  Executive  Committee  of  the  said  insurgent  states,  in 
two  lengthy  preambles  and  sets  of  resolutions,  presented  their 
grievances,  stating,  if  redress  was  secureo1  and  a  proper  adjustment 


UNITED  AMERICAN   MECHANICS  367 

of  the  grievances  named  was  made,  that  they  were  willing  to  resume 
relations  with  the  National  Body.  The  following  were  the  griev- 
ances they  wished  adjusted  to  their  way  of  thinking: 

"First.  By  abolishing  all  laws  adopted  at  the  session  held  at 
Minneapolis,  Minn.,  in  June,  1899,  and  all  other  acts  growing  out  of  the 
adoption  of  said  laws. 

"  Second.  By  amending  the  laws  that  were  in  force  prior  to  June, 
1899,  so  as  to  give  the  five  states  and  all  other  states  just  representation, 
according  to  membership  and  taxation. 

"  Third.  By  discontinuing  the  appropriations  to  the  so-called  peri- 
odicals of  the  Order. 

"  Fourth.  By  amending  the  laws  so  as  to  abolish  the  position  of 
National  Organizer;  to  discontinue  the  position  of  Special  Organizers, 
except  in  case  of  absolute  necessity,  and  then  only  those  known  to  possess 
unquestioned  ability  and  experience. 

"Fifth.  By  discontinuing  a  Secretary  of  the  National  Legislative 
Committee  with  a  salary  attached,  and  place  the  duty  of  said  Secretary, 
upon  the  National  Secretary,  without  additional  pay. 

"Sixth.  To  appoint  none  but  duly  accredited  National  Representa- 
tives, upon  any  and  all   committees  of  the  National   Council. 

"Seventh.  To  reduce  the  per  capita  tax  commensurate  with  intel- 
ligent and  economical  administration  of  the  affairs  of  the  Order. 

"  Eighth.  That  the  National  Council  shall  be  purely  a  representative 
body,  and  of  absolute  limited  powers." 

The  session  was  one  of  action  more  than  of  words.  The 
absence  of  acrimonious  controversy  upon  the  floor  of  the  National 
Council  was  owing  to  the  fact  that  only  the  administration  party, 
the  "  loyalists/'  were  represented,  the  malcontents  having,  by  their 
own  act  placed  themselves  on  the  outside.  The  principal  work  of 
the  session  was  the  proposal  of  statutes  and  action  on  the  same, 
amending  certain  sections  of  the  National  Constitution  and  Laws, 
as  adopted  at  Minneapolis,  where  defects  were  discovered.  In  jus- 
tiee  to  the  leaders  of  the  administration  party  and  as  expressive 
of  the  spirit  of  conciliation  shown,  many  of  the  amendments 
adopted  were  along  the  line  of  points  suggested  by  the  "insur- 
gents "  in  their  list  of  grievances,  as  will  be  shown.  Every  effort  to 
conciliate  the  offending  members  was  made,  and  so  far  as  it 
comported  with  the  dignity  and  honor  of  the  National  Body,  the 
"  olive  branch  "  was  extended,  but  to  no  purpose,  as  the  sequel 
shows. 

One  of  the  grievances  advanced  by  the  seceding  element 
against  the  dominant  party  was  the  fact  of  extravagance  and  the 
absence  of  the  spirit  of  economy.  In  the  spirit  of  conciliation,  and 
as  meaures  of  redress,  the  National  Council  enacted  several  statutes 
along  the  line  of  "economy,"  trusting  the  erring  brethren  would 


368  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

return  when  they  observed  the  good  intentions  of  the  loyalists, 
but  it  had  no  effect  upon  them.  As  an  "  olive  branch,"  the  leaders 
of  the  dominant  party  suggested  and  enacted  legislation  that 
affected  some  of  their  closest  friends,  and  yet  the  offending  party 
did  not  return.  Much  that  had  been  done  at  Minneapolis  that 
was  advanced  as  the  cause  of  the  insurrection,  was  undone  at 
Philadelphia,  yet  harmony  came  not.  The  following  statutes  were 
enacted  along  the  line  of  economy  and  harmony : 

1.  Changing  the  ratio  of  representation  of  the  National  Coun- 
cil from  three  Eepresentatives  from  each  State  Council,  with  an 
additional  Representative  for  every  ten  thousand  members  or  a 
majority  fraction  thereof,  to  that  of  the  present  ratio  of  represen- 
tation, which  is  one  Representative  from  each  State  Council  where 
the  membership  is  less  than  five  hundred,  etc.,  etc. 

2.  Reducing  the  National  Legislative  Committee  from  five 
to  three  members. 

3.  Eliminating  entirely  the  Committee  on  Transportation. 

NATIONAL  COUNCILOR'S  REPORT 

The  report  of  the  National  Councilor,  Brother  Charles  Reimer, 
was  an  exhaustive  resume  of  the  issues  confronting  the  organization ; 
while  at  the  same  time  it  was  permeated  with  a  kind  and  brotherly 
spirit  towards  those  who  had  seceded,  which  indeed  was  a  marked 
feature  throughout  his  entire  administration  as  an  executive 
officer. 

During  the  year  the  National  Councilor  had  received  various 
communications  from  the  aggrieved  element  asking  him  to  call 
a  special  session  of  the  National  Council  for  the  purpose  of  con- 
sidering the  controversies  existing,  but  he  declined  to  act  upon 
their  request;  at  the  same  time,  however,  he  very  cordially  agreed 
to  lay  before  the  Supreme  Body  any  and  all  grievances  they  would 
submit,  and  requested  them  to  send  their  Representatives  to  the 
session  at  Philadelphia  to  present  their  complaints.  In  comment- 
ing on  the  "  olive  branch  "  he  had  extended,  Brother  Reimer  says : 

"  Although  they  are  not  entitled  to  admission  by  the  non-payment 
of  the  National  Council  per  capita  tax,  it  is  my  opinion  they  should, 
nevertheless,  be  granted  admission,  and  I  most  respectfully  urge  that  the 
National  Council  extend  them  the  privilege." 

Knowing  the  spirit  of  conciliation  that  permeated  that  session, 
and  the  desire  of  the  leaders  for  harmony  in  the  ranks,  it  is  just 
to  state  that  had  the  Representatives  of  the  offending  and  aggrieved 
element  been  sent  to  this  session,  though  not  legally  entitled  to 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  369 

admission,  that  the  wishes  of  Brother  Reimer  would  have  been 
granted  without  a  dissenting  vote,  and  they  could  have  had  the 
floor  to  present  their  complaints.  It  might  be  proper  in  this  con- 
nection to  state  that  charges  of  insubordination  had  been  preferred 
against  the  State  Councils  in  insurrection  and  their  charters  sus- 
pended, pending  a  hearing  before  the  National  Judiciary.  Hence, 
the  hearty  invitation  of  the  National  Councilor  to  the  Representa- 
tives of  those  states  to  be  present  and  to  present  their  protest  on 
the  floor  of  the  National  Council,  showed  the  broadest  magnanimity 
on  the  part  of  Brother  Reimer. 

As  was  to  be  expected,  the  statistical  report  showed  heavy 
losses  both  in  Councils  and  members,  there  being  1,664  Councils 
loyal  to  the  National  Body,  and  143,077  members,  making  a  loss 
in  Councils  of  500  and  in  membership  of  43,645.  The  net  gain, 
however,  in  the  loyal  states  of  members  was  2,836. 

The  storm  that  gathered  about  the  Junior  Order  at  this  time, 
affected  none  so  greatly  as  the  two  patriarchs  of  the  organization, 
Brothers  J.  W.  Calver  and  Edw.  S.  Deemer,  who,  from  the  infancy 
of  the  organization  had  been  intimately  associated  with  it,  not  only 
in  their  own  State  Council  of  Pennsylvania,  but  in  the  National 
Body,  their  membership  in  the  latter  body  dating  from  its  institu- 
tion. Referring  to  the  issues  of  the  present  controversy,  Brother 
Deemer  had  but  little  to  say,  but  what  he  did  say  indicated  a  deep 
feeling  gushing  forth  from  a  loyal  heart,  grieved  by  the  situation. 
Concluding  his  report,  he  says : 

"  I  ask  your  serious  and  careful  consideration  of  this  condition  of 
affairs.  An  active  membership,  and  official  position  of  over  40  years  in 
this  organization,  I  cannot  but  look  upon  it  with  fear  and  trembling. 
Shall  the  work  of  40  years  go  for  naught,  or  shall  we  not  rather  extend 
the  olive  branch  and  ascertain  whether  a  spirit  of  compromise  and  con- 
ciliation will  not  be  better,  than  to  widen  the  breach  until  disunion  is 
an  accomplished  fact." 

CHANGE   OF   NAME 

The  amendment  adopted  at  Minneapolis  proposing  change  of 
name  to  "  United  Americans  "  having  been  sent  to  the  various  State 
Councils,  had  been  recalled  by  the  National  Councilor  and  action 
thereon  deferred  until  the  meeting  of  the  next  session  of  the  Na- 
tional Body.  The  reason  for  the  recall  of  the  proposed  amend- 
ment grew  out  of  the  fact  that  the  National  Councilor's  attention 
had  been  called  to  the  existence  of  an  organization  known  as  "  Order 
of  United  Americans,"  instituted  February  19,  1895,  and  incor- 
porated in  1896,  the  officers  of  which  organization  had  announced 

24 


370  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

their  purpose  of  resisting  the  proposed  amendment  to  change  the 
name  from  Jr.  0.  TJ.  A.  M.  to  the  one  suggested.  However  eight 
State  Councils  had  already  acted  upon  the  proposition  prior  to  the 
recall  of  the  amendment.  Two  of  the  State  Councils,  Indiana  and 
Missouri,  had  favored  the  change,  while  six,  District  of  Columbia, 
Ilinois,  Maine,  New  York,  Oregon  and  West  Virginia,  voted  against 
the  proposed  amendment. 

NATIONAL   ORPHANS'   HOME 

The  Trustees  of  the  National  Orphans'  Home,  notwithstanding 
the  dissensions  in  the  Order,  reported  that  the  work  of  the  Home, 
though  somewhat  crippled  from  lack  of  funds,  was  progressing, 
and  that  not  a  child  had  been  turned  away  from  the  institution 
nor  was  any  one  refused  admission  thereto,  notwithstanding  children 
of  rebellious  Councils  were  in  the  Home,  which  Councils,  with 
brazen  audacity,  had  refused  to  pay  their  tax  to  help  support  the 
little  ones  of  their  own  deceased  members.  Such  children,  with 
perfect  consistency,  could  have  been  returned  to  the  care  of  their 
home  Councils,  but  a  magnanimous  Board  of  Trustees  never  gave 
thought  to  such  an  alternative,  even  when  embarrassed  financially. 

Some  necessary  improvements  had  been  made  during  the  year 
and  a  greenhouse,  the  gift  of  the  Allegheny  County  (Pa.)  Picnic 
Association,  had  been  completed.  The  old  farmhouse,  a  log  build- 
ing, had  been  destroyed  by  fire  as  well  as  the  washhouse  standing 
nearby. 

The  Home  was  to  experience  another  change  in  Superinten- 
dency,  T.  W.  Varian  resigning  and  Brother  Geo.  B.  Nesbitt,  of 
Pittsburg,  Pa.,  having  been  elected  in  his  place.  The  Home  met 
with  a  great  loss  in  the  death  of  one  of  its  Trustees,  John  E. 
Marlin,  of  Pennsylvania,  whose  passing  away  was  regretted,  not 
only  by  his  own  State  Council,  but  by  the  National  Body.  The  re- 
port of  Dr.  Wenner,  the  Home  physician,  showed  that  there  had 
been  but  few  cases  of  illness  and  not  a  single  death.  The  inventory 
of  the  institution  showed  a  valuation  of  $65,770.  The  following 
crops  were  harvested  from  57  acres:  Wheat,  500  bushels;  corn,  840 
bushels ;  oats,  470  bushels ;  potatoes,  330  bushels,  and  hay,  60  tons. 

Among  the  minor  items  of  business  considered  in  the  National 
Council,  the  following  may  be  named : 

1.  The  vote  of  State  Councils  to  adopt  a  Woman's  Auxiliary, 
as  per  amendment  at  the  Minneapolis  session,  resulted  in  14  voting 
in  favor  and  8  against. 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  371 

2.  During  the  year  an  agreement  was  entered  into  between 
the  Board  of  Officers  and  the  American  Publishing  Company  of 
Pittsburg,  Pa.,  by  which  The  American  was  to  be  published  under 
the  direction  of  the  National  Council,  which  contract  was  con- 
curred in  by  the  National  Body,  by  a  vote  of  89  to  30. 

3.  A  resolution  was  offered  and  referred  to  the  Committee  on 
Ritual,  with  instructions  to  revise  the  Funeral  Ceremony  so  as  to 
make  it  comport  with  the  dignity  and  standing  of  the  National 
Body. 

4.  A  proposal  for  a  statute  was  submitted  to  change  the  Ritual 
by  inserting  the  Freeman's  Oath,  which  was  referred  to  the  Com- 
mittee on  Ritual.  A  favorable  report  having  been  returned,  the 
National  Body,  by  motion,  laid  the  matter  over  one  year.  The; 
same  action  was  taken  on  the  resolution  as  above  referred  to. 

5.  The  following  proposal  for  a  statute  was  adopted  by  a  vote 
of  153  to  none  against:  "That  the  Declaration  of  Principles  be 
amended  so  as  to  read :  '  We  recognize  the  Bible  as  the  fountain 
of  both  moral  and  civil  law,  and  believe  that  it  should  be  read 
in  our  public  schools,  not  to  teach  sectarianism,  but  moral  excel- 
lence.' " 

6.  The  Special  Committee  on  Ritual  appointed  at  the  last 
session  submitted  their  report,  stating  that  owing  to  the  strife  in  the 
Order,  and  not  having  funds  to  offer  the  prize  of  $500  as  allotted 
by  previous  session,  for  the  best  Ritual,  deemed  it  inadvisable  to 
ask  for  the  preparation  of  a  new  Ritual,  but  recommended  that  a 
Special  Committee  be  appointed  for  another  year,  expressing  their 
opinion  that  a  new  Ritual  was  needed.  The  report  was  accepted, 
but  the  National  Council  disagreed  with  the  recommendation  of  the 
Committee  as  to  the  appointment  of  a  Special  Committee,  another 
evidence  of  the  spirit  of  economy  that  prevailed  in  the  National 
Body. 

7.  As  another  evidence  of  curtailing  expenses,  a  statute  was 
adopted  by  a  vote  of  98  to  60,  to  provide  biennial  sessions  of  the 
National  Council.  Relative  to  the  question  of  biennial  sessions  of 
1he  National  Council,  it  might  be  stated  in  this  connection,  that  the 
amendment  had  been  offered  by  Brothers  Stephen  Collins,  of  Penn- 
sylvania, and  W.  J.  Davis,  of  Maryland,  and  in  the  vote  subse- 
quently taken  by  State  Councils  8  states,  Colorado,  Connecticut, 
Maine,  Minn.,  Mass.,  Pennsylvania,  South  Carolina  and  Tennessee 
voted  in  favor  of  the  amendment  while  17  states  voted  against  it, 
with  8  states  not  voting.     At  the  St.  Louis  session  Brother  Collins 


372  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

offered  a  similar  amendment  which  was  incorporated  in  the  report 
of  the  Committee  on  Law.  This  was  adopted  by  ayes,  102,  nays,  11. 
The  proposed  amendment  was  then  submitted  to  the  State  Councils 
and  was  concurred  in,  only  four  voting  against  it,  viz.,  Indiana, 
Ohio,  Vermont  and  Washington.  By  the  adoption  of  the  amend- 
ment there  is  being  saved  to  the  Order  fully  $7,000  every  alternate 
year,  or  4  cents  per  capita. 

The  report  of  mileage  and  per  diem  was  as  follows : 

Number  of  officers  entitled  to  mileage  and  per  diem.  10 

Number   members   of   committees 28 

Number    Representatives    120 

Amount  mileage  and  per  diem  due  officers $455.30 

Amount  mileage  and  per  diem   due  committees ....    1,227.75 
Amount  mileage  and  per  diem  due  Representatives.  .   7,244.07 

Total     $8,926.12 

The  election  of  officers  was  the  most  peaceful  and  unanimous 

known  in  the  history  of  the  National  Body,  there  not  being  a  single 

contest.     The  officers  were  as  follows: 

National  Councilor — Charles  F.  Reeves,  of  Washington, 
i        National  Vice-Councilor — A.  L.  Cray,  of  Indiana, 
National  Treasurer — J.  Adam  Sohl,  of  Maryland, 
National  Conductor — Geo.  A.  Gowan,  of  Tennessee, 
National  Warden — C.  O.  Bohrer,  of  District  of  Columbia, 
National  Inside  Sentinel — John  H.   Noyes,  of  New  Hampshire, 
National  Outside  Sentinel — A.  A.  Jackson,  of  Rhode  Island, 
National  Chaplain — Rev.  C.  A.  G.  Thomas,  of  North  Carolina. 

BUFFALO,  N.  T.,  1901 

The  Pan-American  Exposition  was  the  inducement,  from  a 
financial  standpoint,  for  the  National  Council  to  select  Buffalo, 
N.  Y.,  as  the  meeting  place  for  the  Thirty-third  Session  of  the 
body,  which  was  held  June  18  and  19,  1901.  One  hundred  and 
forty-three  members  were  in  attendance  at  roll-call.  One  "  insur- 
gent," a  P.  N.  Representative  of  Pennsylvania,  had  the  audacity 
to  remain  in  the  hall  when  all  not  entitled  to  remain  had  been 
requested  to  retire.  His  retirement  was  then  requested  by  the 
National  Councilor.  Other  "  insurgents  "  hovered  about  the  hall 
for  the  purpose  of  alienating  those  in  the  National  Body  who  had 
any  sympathy  with  the  movement  that  had  divided  the  Order. 

The  greater  portion  of  the  session  was  taken  up  in  the  consider- 
ation of  the  unfortunate  conditions  existing,  arising  from  the  dis- 
sensions in  the  organization.  Much  of  the  reports  of  the  officers 
was  along  that  line  presenting  the  various  phases  of  the  controversy, 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  373 

while  the  report  of  the  National  Judiciary  showed  that  the  erring 
State  Councils  had  been  judicially  dealt  with.  The  reversal  of  the 
lower  court  by  the  Supreme  Court  of  Pennsylvania,  declaring  that 
the  laws  enacted  at  Minneapolis  were  valid,  and  that  the  National 
Council  was  Supreme,  thrilled  the  entire  organization,  and  proved 
decisively  that  the  National  Council  was  the  Supreme  Head  of  the 
Order  in  the  United  States  of  North  America.  The  State  Council 
charters  of  New  York  and  Virginia  had  been  revoked  during  the 
year,  but  new  State  Councils  were  at  once  organized  in  the  same 
jurisdictions. 

Among  the  recommendations  of  National  Councilor,  Brother 
C.  F.  Reeves,  were  the  following: 

"  1.  I  would  recommend  that  the  incoming  Board  of  Officers  be 
instructed  to  submit  a  plan  for  the  editing  and  publishing  of  a  journal 
in  the  interest  of  the  Order  by  the  National  Council. 

"  2.  I  would  recommend  that  the  compensation  of  the  Secretary  of 
the  National  Legislative  Committee  be  made  $G00  and  expenses,  and  com- 
pensation for  any  other  services  be  determined  by  the  National  Board  of 
officers. 

"  3.  I  would  recommend  that  the  term  of  the  National  Councilor 
be  made  at  least  two  years,  with  a  view  to  so  arranging  that  he  shall 
give  all  his  time  to  supervising  the  work  of  the  Order. 

"  4.  If  the  National  Board  of  Officers  is  to  have  any  responsibility 
in  the  Orphans'  Home  affairs,  I  would  recommend  that  hereafter  the 
Board  consist  of  the  National  Board  of  Officers,  and  two  additional  mem- 
bers elected  by  the  National  Council  for  a  term  of  two  years  each.  Or 
otherwise,  that  the  Orphans'  Home  Board  be  elected  by  the  National 
Council  instead  of  being  appointed  by  the  National  Board  of  Officers,  as 
at  present. 

Recommendation  No.  1  was  approved.  Recommendation  No. 
2  was  made  $900  by  the  action  of  the  Committee  on  Finance, 
which  was  adopted  by  the  body.  Recommendation  No.  3  was  dis- 
approved. Recommendation  No.  4  was  referred  to  the  Law  Com- 
mittee. 

The  exhibit  of  the  National  Secretary  showed  a  still  greater 
decrease  in  Councils  and  members  from  the  report  of  the  year 
previous.  The  reasons  for  this  downward  trend  are  well  known 
to  the  organization.  Rebellion  had  rent  the  Order  and  entire  State 
Councils  had  been  placed  without  the  pale  of  the  organization,  while 
in  Pennsylvania  a  large  number  of  Subordinate  Councils  had  had 
their  charters  revoked.  Among  the  loyal  Councils  there  was  in 
some  sections  a  "  stand  still  "  owing  to  the  unrest  in  the  fraternity, 
and  even  within  the  National  Body  there  was  arising  strife,  and  two 
parties  were  again  seeking  the  ascendancy. 

As  the  closing  of  the  century,   1899,  was  next  the  "  high 


428 

Arkansas    

252 

1,189 

Colorado    

935 

919 

374  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

water-mark  "  of  the  Order,  numerically,  the  opening  of  the  new 
century  witnessed  the  "  low  water-mark  "  of  the  organization,  as 
the  result  of  the  dissension,  but  with  an  upward  rising  of  the  tide. 
The  following  is  the  exhibit  by  states : 

Minnesota     150 

Missouri    932 

Montana    40 

New  Hampshire   908 

North  Carolina 4,511 

Delaware   3,361  Ohio    15,935 

Dist.  of  Columbia   ...      337  Oregon    40 

Georgia 1,406  Pennsylvania    34,072 

Idaho   90  Rhode  Island 497 

Indiana    1,369  South  Carolina 773 

Indian  Territory    ....      219  Tennessee    1,922 

Kansas    145  Texas    200 

Kentucky    2,531  Vermont    674 

Louisiana     49  Virginia    2,659 

Maine    1,096  Washington    169 

Maryland    18,759  West   Virginia    6,009 

Massachusetts    985  Wisconsin     Ill 

Michigan   114 

The  recapitulation  and  comparison  with  the  report  of  previous 
year  showed  that  there  were  1,272  Councils,  a  loss  of  388;  member- 
ship, 103,783,  a  loss  of  36,974.  The  aggregate  loss  was  45,188, 
but  this  number  was  reduced  by  the  aggregate  gains  of  the  year 
amounting  to  8,214,  Ohio  leading  with  1,347  and  Tennessee  fol- 
lowing close  with  1,163.  The  most  stupendous  loss  over  the  report 
of  1899,  was  in  value  of  Subordinate  Councils  amounting  to  about 
$1,000,000. 

The  Trustees  of  the  Orphans'  Home  reported  disbursements  of 
$33,000,  while  an  inventory  of  the  value  of  the  Home  showed 
$69,902.  Fourteen  children  had  been  retired  or  graduated,  14 
admitted,  leaving  92  in  the  institution. 

woman's  auxiliary 

The  contention  as  to  a  Woman's  Auxiliary  was  still  unsettled, 
notwithstanding  a  majority  of  the  State  Councils  had  approved  of 
the  creation  of  such  a  body.  The  subject  was  brought  before  the 
National  Council  for  consideration  by  the  following  resolution : 

"Be  it  Resolved  by  the  National  Council,  Junior  Order  of  United 
American  Mechanics,  that  the  Daughters  of  America  be  and  is  hereby 
adopted  as  the  official  auxiliary  of  this  Order." 

The  Committee  on  the  Good  of  the  Order  returned  the  resolu- 
tion with  a  negative  recommendation  "  owing  to  the  fact  that  cer- 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  375 

tain  high  officers  of  the  above  Association  (Daughters  of  America) 
are  not  members  in  good  standing  in  the  Jr.  0.  U.  A.  M."  This 
was  followed  by  another  resolution,  which  was  as  follows: 

"  Be  it  Resolved  by  the  National  Council,  Jr.  O.  U.  A.  M.,  that  the 
Daughters  of  America  is  hereby  recognized  as  the  auxiliary  of  this  body, 
and  further  that  all  male  members  of  the  Daughters  of  America  shall 
be  members  in  good  standing  in  the  Jr.  O.  U.  A.  M." 

Past  State  Councilor  Dr.  Wenner,  of  Ohio,  moved  to  approve 
and  that  it  become  effective  when  the  Daughters  of  America  purge 
themselves  of  all  members  disloyal  to  this  body.  The  resolution, 
however,  was  laid  on  the  table  "  until  they  do  so  purge  themselves." 

This  action  was  followed  still  further  by  a  resolution,  which 
was  agreed  to,  "  that  as  a  further  condition  of  acceptance  "  that  the 
said  Daughters  of  America  should  first  amend  their  laws  so  as  to 
conform  to  the  General  Laws  of  the  Junior  Order  and  yield  con- 
trol and  give  obedience  to  the  National  Council. 

RITUAL 

The  subject  of  Kitual  came  up  in  the  form  of  a  recommenda- 
tion, that  a  three-degree  Eitual,  with  a  modified  form  of  same,  be 
prepared,  and  that  a  Special  Committee  be  appointed  to  formulate 
such  Eitual.  The  recommendation  was  approved,  with  the  amend- 
ment, that  the  matter  be  referred  to  the  Board  of  Officers  with  the 
authority  to  select  a  competent  person  to  write  a  Eitual  acceptable 
to  them.  A  motion  subsequently  made  to  reconsider  the  above 
action,  however,  failed. 

The  session  was  largely  taken  up  with  the  consideration  of  a 
code  of  laws  for  the  Funeral  Benefit  Department,  adopted  at  the 
session  and  the  regulation  of  the  Beneficiary  Degree,  and  placing 
these  two  important  features  of  the  Order  on  a  more  solid  basis. 
Brother  Stephen  Collins  was  appointed  Secretary-Manager  of  both 
Departments. 

The  mileage  and  per  diem  amounted  to  $6,211.55. 

The  business  of  the  session  closed  with  the  installation  of  the 
following  officers : 

National  Councilor — A.  L.  Cray,  of  Indiana, 

National  Vice-Councilor — George  B.   Bowers,  of   Pennsylvania, 

National  Treasurer — J.  Adam  Sohl,  of  Maryland, 

National  Conductor — D.  B.  McDonald,  of  Ohio, 

National  Warden — W.  H.  Kelley,  of  Arkansas, 

National  Inside  Sentinel — A.  B.  Horney,  of  North  Carolina, 

National  Outside  Sentinel — W.  H.  Wood,  of  Maine, 

National  Chaplain — Rev.  M.  D.  Lichliter,  of  Pennsylvania. 


CHAPTER   XXIV 
SESSIONS    OF   THE   NATIONAL   COUNCIL  (Continued) 

MILWAUKEE,  WIS.,  1902 

HE  Thirty-fourth  Annual  Session  of  the  National  Council, 
held  in  Milwaukee,  Wis.,  June  17-19,  1902,  was  presided 
over  by  National  Councilor  A.  L.  Cray,  there  being  131  members 
present. 

The  session  was  somewhat  animated,  and  at  times  much  bitter- 
ness was  manifested  owing  to  the  spirit  of  antagonism  that,  unfor- 
tunately, had  invaded  the  National  Body  to  destroy  its  peace  and 
harmony.  The  contest  for  officers  was  spirited,  the  forces  being 
nearly  equal.  The  "  feeling "  against  the  administration  party 
was  augmented  by  the  "  insurgents  "  sent  to  the  seat  of  the  Na- 
tional Council  to  scatter  the  fire-brands  of  dissension  more  widely 
throughout  the  Order,  in  the  hope  of  dividing  the  loyal  body  and 
ultimately  to  place  the  reins  of  power  in  the  hands  of  the  seceding 
body.  The  purposes  of  the  insurgent  leaders,  however,  were  de- 
feated and  the  administration  party  maintained  its  position  in  the 
conflict  still  raging  in  the  organization. 

The  "  rank  and  file  "  of  the  organization,  far  removed  from 
£he  "  smoke  of  battle,"  at  this  time  were  somewhat  bitter  in  their 
denunciation  of  some  of  the  leaders  of  the  loyal  wing  of  the  organ- 
ization for  so  tenaciously  maintaining  the  honor  and  dignity  of  the 
Supreme  Head  of  the  Order  by  not  permitting  a  wholesale  return 
of  the  disgruntled  element  without  due  contrition  upon  their  part. 
Only  those  who  were  in  the  midst  of  the  fray  can  realize  what 
efforts,  even  within  the  National  Body,  were  made  to  get  the  control 
of  the  organization,  in  order  that  the  sympathizers  within,  abetted 
by  the  paid  "  agents "  of  the  insurgents  who  were  "  hanging 
around  "  on  the  outside,  might  formulate  concessions  to  the  seceding 
element,  that,  judging  from  the  sentiments  expressed,  would  have 
been  far  from  honorable,  and  would  have  undone  all  that  had  been 
achieved  up  to  that  time.  Beaten  by  the  courts  and  defeated  on 
every  hand,  still  the  insurgent  party  were  none  the  less  determined 
to  get  control  of  the  National  Body,  and  had  sent  their  "  agents  " 
to  the  dissatisfied  states,  stilZ  loyal,  to  stir  up  opposition  to  the 
administration,  and  having  made  some  headway,  they  followed  up 
376 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  377 

their  work  at  the  National  session,  as  above  referred  to,  even 
lying  on  the  steps  of  the  stairway  of  the  hall  where  the  meeting 
was  being  held  awaiting  the  result  of  the  ballot  in  the  election  of  the 
officers  of  the  National  Body.  When  the  result  was  in  favor  of  the 
administration,  these  "agents"  skulked  away  like  whipped  wolves 
and  never  thereafter  did  they  trouble  the  National  Council  with 
their  presence  until  at  the  Boston  session  of  1907  when  they  were 
in  evidence.  Instead  then  of  condemning  the  leaders  of  the  organ- 
ization, they  should  be  commended  for  "  standing  by  their  guns  " 
when  the  Order  was  fighting  for  its  existence.  None  were  more 
desirous  to  receive  back  the  disloyal  element  of  the  organization 
than  they  and  the  "olive  branch"  had  been  extended,  but  the 
leaders  could  not  accede  to  the  return  of  the  insurgents  as  a  body 
on  their  own  terms,  for  those  terms  and  conditions,  as  stipulated 
in  their  protests  presented  at  the  Philadelphia  session,  meant  a 
drawn  sword  and  an  entire  change  of  the  policy  of  the  organ- 
ization and  the  elimination  of  those  who  had  stood  for  loyalty  and 
the  right. 

To-day  as  harmony  prevails  in  the  ranks  of  the  loyalists, 
some  of  those  even  in  the  National  Body  who,  during  the  earlier 
years  of  the  controversy,  opposed  the  policy  of  the  administration 
now  "  see  eye  to  eye  "  and  some  have  admitted  that  they  miscon- 
strued the  purposes  of  those  who  were  in  the  vanguard  of  the 
struggle.  Leaders  may  make  mistakes  in  the  "heat  of  battle" 
when  the  blood  is  hot,  and  passion  is  stirred,  yet  it  is  just  to  state 
that  the  men  who  were  conspicuously  active  in  reshaping  the  organ- 
ization when  rebellion  within  was  rife,  are  now  recognized  in  their 
true  light  and  have  the  confidence  of  the  brotherhood. 

The  National  Councilor,  Brother  Cray,  in  his  report  referred 
naturally  to  the  existing  conditions  of  the  Order  at  this  time.  Dur- 
ing the  year  the  insurgents  had  made  an  effort  to  obtain  the  names 
and  addresses  of  the  Secretaries  of  the  Subordinate  Councils  for 
the  purpose  of  still  further  widening  the  breach,  if  possible, 
throughout  the  jurisdiction  by  the  distribution  of  false  statements 
relative  to  the  trouble  in  the  organization.  The  National  Coun- 
cilor, wide-awake  to  the  plans  of  the  insurgents,  promptly  notified 
the  State  Council  Secretaries  to  refuse  the  request. 

Referring  to  the  spirit  that  was  being  manifested  in  the  loyal 
ranks,  Brother  Cray  has  this  to  say: 

"  I  am  aware  that  most  of  the  members  of  this  National  Council 
have  heard  of  the  results  in  the  States  of  New  York  and  New  Jersey. 
The  courts'  findings  have  been  favorable  to  us  in  both  cases,  and,  notwith- 


378  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

standing  the  further  fact,  that  in  every  single  instance  the  cause  of  the 
loyalists  have  been  upheld  by  the  courts  so  far,  there  are  members  of 
our  Order,  and  some  who  hold  membership  in  this  National  Body,  that  seem 
to  be  willing  to  retrace  or  retard  our  progress  along  this  line  and  make 
further  concessions  to  those  disloyal,  when  they  must  know  that  new  suits 
or  suit  have  been  filed  against  us  during  the  present  year.  Candidly  does 
this  look  as  though  the  extending  of  the  '  Olive  Branch,'  as  suggested  by 
some,  would  ever  bring  the  Order  together  again?  Have  we  not  tried  it, 
and  is  not  the  result  a  matter  fresh  in  the  memory  of  all? 

"  While  I  very  much  deplore  the  expenditure  of  our  Order's  finances 
for  legal  services,  yet  what  else  can  we  do?  I  invite  those  who  can,  to 
present  a  stable  cure  for  the  whole  evil  and  affliction,  and  let  us  as  brethren 
assist  in  the  restoration  of  our  Order  in  each  and  every  state  to  a  health- 
ful and  loyal  condition." 

The  National  Councilor  submitted  but  four  recommendations, 
one  of  which  was  as  follows : 

"  Third.  I  would  recommend  that  there  be  appointed  a  suitable 
person  to  prepare  a  new  Ritual,  to  be  presented  at  the  next  session  of 
the  National  Council  for  adoption." 

The  recommendation,  however,  was  referred  to  the  Eitual  Com- 
mittee, as  was  also  a  recommendation  of  the  Board  of  Officers  along 
same  line,  suggesting  an  appropriation  sufficient  to  secure  some 
competent  person  to  prepare  such  Eitual.  Subsequently,  the  Eitual 
Committee  reported  on  the  recommendations,  disapproving  the 
selection  of  one  person  to  formulate  Eitual,  as  per  recommendation 
of  the  National  Councilor,  but  in  lieu  thereof,  suggested  that  a 
Special  Committee  of  three  be  appointed  with  full  power  to  pre- 
pare a  three-degree  Eitual  or  arrange  for  its  preparation.  In  the 
consideration  of  the  Committee's  suggestion,  it  was  disapproved 
by  the  National  Body  and  the  recommendation  of  the  National 
Councilor  was  adopted. 

The  Statistical  report  of  the  National  Secretary  was  full  of 
hope  and  encouragement.  Since  the  last  report  there  was  a  gain 
in  Councils  of  42  and  in  members  6,311,  there  being  1,314  Councils 
and  110,097  members.  The  value  of  Subordinate  Councils  in- 
creased $171,321.48. 

The  report  of  the  Orphans'  Home  was  satisfactory,  establishing 
the  fact  that  the  Trustees  were  business  men,  they  having  conducted 
the  business  affairs  of  the  Home  conscientiously  and  economically. 
Every  dollar  of  debt  had  been  paid  and  every  penny  of  the  expense 
of  the  institution  had  been  met. 

Brother  Charles  H.  Kernan  had  been  selected  Superintendent 
which,  as  subsequent  events  show,  proved  a  very  wise  selection. 
Under  his  management  the  children  of  the  Home  were  taught  in  the 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  379 

institution  instead  of  sending  them  to  the  public  schools  located 
some  distance  away.  Several  minor  innovations  were  inaugurated 
that  were  of  advantage  to  the  Home,  among  which  were  the  system 
of  accounting  for  all  the  products  of  the  farm  and  the  uniforming 
of  the  children.  During  the  year  the  foundation  of  the  Industrial 
School,  to  be  furnished  by  the  Allegheny  (Pa.)  County  Orphans3 
Home  Association,  was  laid.  The  Superintendent's  report  showed 
that  25  children  had  been  admitted  to  the  Home,  12  retired  and 
there  was  one  death,  leaving  in  the  institution  104.  The  total 
inventory  of  valuation  was  placed  at  $70,216. 

BENEFICIARY    DEGREE    AND    FUNERAL    BENEFIT 
DEPARTMENT 

Under  the  efficient  management  of  Brother  Stephen  Collins, 
Secretary-Manager,  these  two  features  of  the  Order  made  advance- 
ment, especially  the  Funeral  Benefit  Department,  which  had  been 
in  operation  but  eight  months  at  the  time  the  report  was  made. 
During  the  year  100  certificates  had  been  written  in  the  Beneficiary 
Degree,  representing  $119,500  in  risks,  making  a  total  to  date  of 
502  certificates  that  had  been  written  representing  $604,000;  and 
deducting  the  lapses,  there  remained  415  certificates  representing 
$512,000. 

The  report  of  the  eight  months  of  the  Funeral  Benefit  De- 
partment surpassed  by  far  the  most  sanguine  expectations  of  its 
projectors.  During  that  period  312  Councils  had  been  enrolled, 
representing  32  states,  making  a  membership  in  the  Department 
of  21,152.  Deaths  occurring  in  the  eight  months  numbered  41, 
upon  which  claims  were  paid  amounting  to  $10,250,  leaving  a 
balance  on  hand  as  follows:  Expense  fund,  $2,101.80;  Special  fund, 
$2,897.66,  or  a  total  of  $4,999.46,  which  represented  the  cash  assets 
of  the  Department. 

PEACE    PROPOSALS 

There  existed  in  the  National  Council  a  strong  sentiment 
in  favor  of  making  peace  with  the  insurgent  element,  even  at  a 
sacrifice  of  the  dignity  of  the  National  Body  and  the  surrendering 
of  the  ground  upon  which  the  Order  had  been  fighting  its  battle 
for  loyalty.  In  conformity  with  these  "  peace  sentiments,"  the 
following  was  offered: 

"  Be  it  Resolved,  by  the  National  Council  Junior  Order  of  United 
American  Mechanics  that, 

"  Whereas,  the  Junior  O.  U.  A.  M.  in  divers  States  of  the  Union  is 
to-day,  and  has  for  a  long  time  been  involved  in  dissentions  within  their 


380  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

ranks,  culminating  in  numbers  of  law  suits  and  other  litigation  vastly 
expensive  to  this  National  Council  and  damaging  to  the  good  name  and 
status  of  the  Order; 

"  And  Whereas,  over  100,000  members  of  the  Order  are  now  outside 
the  jurisdiction  of  this  National  Council,  and  are  paying  nothing  towards 
the  support  of  this  body  and  receiving  no  recognition  from  the  said  National 
Council ; 

"  In  view  of  these  facts,  the  National  Council  Junior  O.  U.  A.  M. 
hereby  appoints  J.  G.  A.  Richter  of  Ohio,  Geo.  A.  Gowan,  of  Tennessee, 
Roger  Armstrong  of  Missouri,  Geo.  A.  Davis  of  Maryland,  and  John  Kee 
of  West  Virginia  a  Committee  on  Arbitration  to  act  on  behalf  of  this 
National  Council  in  an  effort  to  settle  the  differences  now  existing  between 
the  so-called  '  Insurgents '  in  the  said  several  States.  And  our  said  Com- 
mittee is  hereby  authorized  to  meet  a  like  Committee  which  may  be 
appointed  from  the  ranks  of  the  said  '  Insurgents  '  and  to  agree  with  them 
upon  terms  under  which  the  said  factions,  in  whole  or  in  part,  shall  be 
received  back  into  the  Order  and  re-vested  with  the  rights  and  privileges 
of  membership  under  the  authority  and  jurisdiction  of  this  National  Coun- 
cil. And  our  said  Committee  shall  have  full  power  to  act  in  the  premises 
as  they  may  deem  best  for  the  interest  of  this  National  Council  and  the 
Order  at  large.  „E    H    GoDFREY> 

"  Chas.  F.  Reeves." 

In  the  consideration  of  the  resolution,  in  which  there  was 
considerable  discussion,  the  following  substitute  was  submitted 
by  P.  S.  C,  W.  C.  Anderson,  of  New  York: 

"  Whereas,  This  body  has  been  informed  that  the  great  bulk  of  the 
former  membership  of  our  Order,  who  have  withdrawn  from  the  organi- 
zation, the  same  are  desirous  of  reuniting  with  us  in  a  body; 

"  Resolved,  That  a  Committee  of  three  be  appointed  to  confer  with 
a  similar  number  of  the  former  membership  and  report  the  result  of  their 
conference  at  the  next  annual  session  of  the  National  Council." 

In  the  consideration  of  the  substitute,  it  was  unanimously 
adopted,  with  an  amendment,  that  the  Committee  consist  of 
Brothers  J.  G.  A.  Richter,  J.  W.  Calver  and  A.  L.  Cray. 

ORGANIZING  WORK 

Immediately  after  the  close  of  the  last  session  of  the  National 
Council,  Brother  Stephen  Collins  was  appointed  Manager  of  Or- 
ganizers, and  with  his  usual  zeal,  he  entered  upon  the  plan  of  his 
campaign,  saving  weak  Councils,  holding  the  Order  intact  in  states 
where  rebellion  was  rampant  and,  where  feasible,  offsetting  the 
unavoidable  losses  caused  by  the  insurrection  by  forming  new  Coun- 
cils. A  systematic  campaign  had  been  carried  out  and  some  good 
was  accomplished,  as  evidenced  by  the  substantial  gains  made. 


UNITED  AMERICAN   MECHANICS  381 


A  NATIONAL  COUNCIL  JOURNAL 

For  years  there  had  been  a  desire  with  a  portion  oP  the  mem- 
bers of  the  National  Body  to  have  an  "  Official  Organ,"  instead  of 
distributing  certain  portions  of  the  appropriation  for  periodicals 
to  the  various  papers  published  as  private  enterprises.  Eecommen- 
dations  of  National  Councilors  again  and  again  had  kept  this 
thought  before  the  body,  and  the  time  seemed  ripe  to  act  upon  the 
suggestion.  In  conformity  therewith  the  following  statute,  with 
proposal  attached,  was  submitted : 

"A  PROPOSAL  FOR  A  STATUTE 

"  Title. — Authorising  the  acceptance  of  the  proposition  of  the  Ameri- 
can Publishing  Co.  and  providing  for  the  publication  by  the  National 
Council,  of  a  Journal  of  the  Order. 

"Be  it  enacted  by  the  National  Council,  Junior  Order  of  United 
American  Mechanics,  that  the  proposition  of  the  American  Publishing 
Company,  to  turn  over  to  the  National  Council  the  publication  known  as 
The  American  upon  the  terms  therein  stated,  be  accepted,  and  that  the 
publication  be  placed  under  the  charge  of  the  National  Council  Secretary. 

"  That  the  National  Council  Secretary  be  authorized  to  employ  such 
assistance  to  assist  him  in  the  publication  of  the  periodical  as  may  be 
necessary. 

"  That  to  the  end  of  carrying  out  this  acceptance  of  the  proposition 
the  National  Board  of  Officers  is  authorized  to  enter  into  an  agreement 
as  set  forth  in  said  proposition. 

"  To  the  N.  C,  N.   V.  C,  Officers  and  Members  of  the  National  Council, 

Junior  0.  U.  A.  M. 
"  Brethren. — 

"  Realizing  the  importance  of  having  a  Journal  of  the  Order,  which 
may  inform  the  membership  of  what  is  transpiring  in  the  organization, 
as  well  as  the  absolute  necessity  of  combatting  the  misleading  statements 
being  published  by  the  insurgents,  which  tend  to  create  dissensions,  if  not 
to  endanger  the  life  of  the  National  Council,  and 

"  Realizing  that  the  question  of  appropriations  to  periodicals  annually 
causes  great  dissatisfaction,  we  submit  to  you  the  following  proposition: 

"  We  will  turn  over  to  the  National  Council  free  of  charge,  the 
newspaper  known  as  The  American,  together  with  the  subscription  list, 
and  advertising  list,  on  conditions  that  the  subscriptions  shall  be  completed, 
and  the  advertising  contracts  be  completed,  and  that  we  be  allowed  four 
columns  of  space  out  of  the  forty  columns,  for  advertising  purposes,  for 
advertising  the  supplies  of  the  '  American  Publishing  Company '  and  at  the 
direction  of  the  National  Council  sever  all  connection  with  the  editing  and 
publishing  of  the  periodical,  so  long  as  it  is  edited  and  published  by  tlie 
National  Council,  but  should  the  National  Council  discontinue  the  publica- 
tion of  the  periodical,  then  it  shall  revert  to  the  'American  Publishing  ( '•>■' 
"  Fraternally  yours, 

"  The  American  Publishing  Co., 

"  Stephen  Collins,  Sec. 


382  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

"  Your  Committee  on  the  Good  of  the  Order,  to  whom  was  referred 
the  recommendation  of  the  National  Councilor  that  the  National  Council 
publish  a  Journal  of  the  Order,  beg  to  submit  the  following  report: 

"  That  we  have  received  a  proposition  from  '  The  American  Publish- 
ing Co.,'  which  we  submit  with  the  annexed  Proposal  for  a  Statute. 

"  W.  F.  Young,  "  Geo.  A.  Davis, 

"  G.  C.  Mosek,  "  Frank  M.  Jones, 

"  J.  A.  Tabplet, 
"  Committee  on  the  Good  of  the  Order." 

The  question  of  adoption  of  the  statute  and  the  acceptance 
of  the  proposal  of  The  American  Publishing  Company,  created  a 
sharp  discussion,  but  on  an  aye  and  nay  vote  the  proposition  of 
The  American  Publishing  Company  was  accepted,  and  after  amend- 
ing statute  by  inserting  National  Board  of  Officers  for  National 
Secretary,  it  was  adopted  by  70  ayes  to  42  nays. 

Quite  a  number  of  proposals  for  statutes  were  offered,  but  the 
greater  number  were  either  disapproved  by  the  Committee  on  the 
Good  of  the  Order  or  defeated  upon  the  floor  of  the  National 
Council.  One  very  peculiar  proposal  was  offered  by  Brother  Van 
Horn,  of  Ohio : 

"  Be  it  enacted,  by  the  National  Council,  Junior  Order  of  United 
American  Mechanics,  that  Section  1,  Chapter  I,  Division  V,  be  amended  by 
adding,  that  all  foreign-born  male  children  coming  to  the  United  States 
with  their  parents  at  the  age  of  two  years,  may  be  admitted  to  membership 
after  arriving  at  the  age  of  twenty-one  years." 

It  goes  without  saying,  that  the  proposal  was  returned  by  the 
Committee  with  an  unfavorable  recommendation. 

A  proposal  for  a  statute  to  amend  the  section  of  the  National 
Constitution  relative  to  representation  in  the  National  Council  to 
the  effect  that  the  various  Boards  and  Standing  Committees  shall 
be  elected  by  the  National  Council  instead  of  being  appointed  by 
the  Board  of  Officers,  went  the  same  way  as  the  preceding. 

The  following  was  approved : 

"  Be  it  Resolved,  by  the  National  Council,  Junior  Order  of  United 
American  Mechanics,  that  the  National  Councilor  be  requested  to  select 
the  Thanksgiving  Day  selected  by  the  President  of  the  United  States,  as 
a  day  of  thanksgiving  of  the  Order.  „  Jqhn  w>  ^^ 

"  M.    D.    LlCHLITEE." 

The  report  of  the  Committee  on  Mileage  and  Per  Diem  was 
$5,964.55. 


UNITED  AMERICAN   MECHANICS  383 

After  a  very  strenuous  session  in  which  much  Legislation  was 
enacted  that  placed  the  Order  on  a  firmer  basis,  the  National  Body 
adjourned  under  brighter  skies  than  for  three  preceding  sessions. 
The  election  of  officers  was  warmly  contested,  even  that  of  the 
National  Secretary,  who,  with  but  two  or  three  exceptions,  had  been 
previously  reelected  without  opposition,  had  a  contestant,  Brother 
John  A.  Bliss,  of  Ohio,  the  vote  standing,  Deemer,  77;  Bliss,  53. 
Dr.  J.  L.  Cooper  was  elected  National  Vice-Councilor  by  a  major- 
ity of  three  votes  over  Brother  S.  D.  Hodgdon,  of  Missouri.  The 
result  of  the  election  was  as  follows: 

National  Councilor — George   B.   Bowers,  of  Pennsylvania, 
National   Vice-Councilor — Dr.  J.  L.   Cooper,  of  Texas, 
National  Secretary — Edw.  S.  Deemer,  of  Pennsylvania, 
National  Treasurer — J.  Adam  Sohl,  of  Maryland, 
National  Conductor — E.  R.  Dillingham,  of  Georgia, 
National  Warden — C.  L.  Place,  of  Rhode  Island, 
National   Inside  Sentinel — J.  M.  Douglass,  of  Wisconsin, 
National  Outside  Sentinel — A.  E.  White,  of  Vermont, 
National  Chaplain — Rev.  M.  D.  Lichliter,  of  Pennsylvania. 

SAN    FRANCISCO,    CAL.,    1903 

Some  years  previous  an  invitation  to  meet  in  annual  session 
in  the  "  Golden  State,"  had  been  extended  to  the  National  Council 
by  Manzanita  Council,  No.  1,  of  California,  located  at  Petaluma, 
and  other  invitations  had  subsequently  been  extended  from  the 
Pacific  Coast,  but  at  no  time  had  it  been  thought  feasible  to  accept, 
until  the  session  held  at  Milwaukee  in  1902,  the  National  Body,  by 
a  vote  of  74  to  56,  decided  to  hold  their  next  meeting  in  San 
Francisco,  California. 

CHANGE  OF  DATE  OF   MEETING 

The  question  of  obtaining  railroad  rates  made  it  necessary  for 
'the  National  Board  of  Officers  to  change  the  date  of  the  National 
Council  meeting  from  June  to  May  or  August  in  order  to  secure 
the  advantage  of  low  rates  through  other  organizations  that  were 
holding  their  meetings,  either  in  San  Francisco  or  Los  Angeles,  the 
General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  latter  city  in 
the  month  of  May  and  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic  in  the  for- 
mer city  in  the  month  of  August.  In  view  of  a  possible  change 
of  date,  the  National  Body  at  Milwaukee  adopted  the  following 
statute,  on  motion  of  Brother  John  A.  Bliss,  of  Ohio : 


384  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 


"  A  PROPOSAL  FOR  A  STATUTE 

"Title. — To  authorize  Board  of  Officer*  of  tin  \alional  (Council  to 
change  the  time  of  the  next  meeting  of  the  National  Council. 

"  Be  it  enacted,  by  the  National  Council,  Junior  Order  of  United 
American  Mechanics,  that  the  National  Council  Board  of  Officers  be,  and 
they  are  hereby,  authorized  to  change  the  time  of  the  next  meeting  of  the 
National  Council  in  case  it  should  be  necessary  or  advisable  so  to  do  in 
order  to  take  advantage  of  reductions  that  may  be  offered  by  the  railroads, 
providing  that  in  changing  said  time  of  meeting  due  notice  of  the  same 
shall  be  made  to  the  members  of  the  National  Council  at  least  thirty  days 
prior  to  the  time  thus  fixed;  provided,  that  the  time  thus  fixed  shall  be 
within  thirty  days  of  the  regular  time  of  meeting." 

The  question  whether  the  Board  of  Officers  had  authority  to 
change  the  date  of  the  meeting  of  the  National  Council  was  dis- 
puted in  some  sections;  and  if  they  had  that  authority,  it  was 
claimed  they  could  change  the  place  of  the  meeting  as  well  as  the 
date.  In  meeting  this  statement  and  defending  their  right  to 
change  the  date  of  the  meeting,  the  National  Board  of  Officers 
cited  Article  VII.,  Section  12,  of  the  National  Council  Constitution 
which  reads: 

"  The  regular  meeting  of  the  National  Council  shall  be  held  on 
the  third  Tuesday  in  June  of  each  and  every  year,  at  such  place  as  shall 
be  determined  upon  by  the  preceding  regular  meeting,  unless  in  an  emer- 
gency the  same  be  changed  as  provided  by  law." 

"Section  17,  Article  VIII  of  the  Constitution  reads:  'In  an  emer- 
gency the  Board  of  Officers  may,  upon  causing  due  notice  thereof  to  be 
given  to  the  several  State  Council  Secretaries,  and  Recording  Secretaries 
of  Councils  under  the  jurisdiction  of  the  National  Council,  change  the 
time  and  place  of  holding  the  regular  meeting  of  the  National  Council." 

The  question  presented  itself,  "  What  is  an  '  emergency '  ?  " 
National  Secretary  Brother  Deemer  placed  the  following  construc- 
tion upon  the  word : 

"  An  emergency  is  surely  something  that  was  not  known  and  could 
not  be  seen  at  the  time  the  body  voted  for  the  place  of  meeting,  such  as 
an  epidemic  in  the  town  or  a  railroad  strike  of  such  proportions  as  to 
prevent  us  from  reaching  the  place.  It  could  not  be  the  right  of  the 
Board  of  Officers  to  call  the  session  in  August,  after  the  National  Council 
had  conferred  the  power  upon  the  Board  to  change  the  time  of  meeting, 
provided  it  was  not  more  than  thirty  days  prior  to,  or  succeeding  the 
regular  time  in  June.  This  permitted  no  discretion  upon  the  Board  of 
Officers.  Fortunately  for  us,  the  Presbyterian  General  Assembly  had 
arranged  to  meet  in  Los  Angeles  the  latter  part  of  May,  and  this  enabled 
the  Board  of  Officers  to  comply  with  the  provision  of  the  National  Council, 
and  give  us  the  advantage  of  the  cheapest  rates  ever  made  for  a  trip  to 
San  Francisco." 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  385 

No  doubt,  prompted  by  the  fact  that  the  exegencies  of  the  case 
compelled  the  National  Board  of  Officers  to  change  the  date  of  the 
meeting  of  the  National  Council,  the  Representatives  of  the  State 
of  Ohio  took  advantage  of  the  situation  to  send  to  the  National 
Board  of  Officers  and  the  members  of  the  National  Body  on  March 
31,  1903,  a  communication  reciting  the  probable  cost  of  the  meeting 
to  be  held  at  San  Francisco,  requesting  each  member  to  sign  the 
following  letter  and  send  same  to  the  National  Secretary,  provided 
he  coincided  with  the  views  of  the  said  National  Eepresentativcs : 

"  To  the  Board  of  Officers,  National  Council,  Jr.  0.  U.  A.  M. 
"  Dear  Sirs  and  Brothers. — 

"  In  view  of  the  large  expense  which  will  be  incurred  by  holding 
the  session  of  the  National  Council  at  San  Francisco,  and  the  depleted 
condition  of  the  treasury,  the  undersigned  most  respectfully  requests  that 
you  change  the  place  of  meeting  to  some  point  where  the  expense  will  not 
exceed  $6,000." 

National  Councilor  Geo.  B.  Bowers,  on  receipt  of  the  communi- 
cation from  the  Eepresentativcs  of  Ohio,  addressed  the  follow- 
ing opinion  upon  and  construction  of  the  Supreme  Law  of  the 
Order,  and  sent  it  to  the  other  members  of  the  Board : 

"  In  my  opinion  the  Board  of  Officers  do  not  have  the  power  to  change 
the  place  of  meeting,  for  the  reason  that  the  National  Council  at  its  last 
session  in  Milwaukee,  were  in  possession  of  all  the  facts  as  stated  in 
the  circular  hereto  attached,  dated,  March  30,  1903.  They  knew  the  dis- 
tance to  San  Francisco,  and  the  rate  of  mileage  and  per  diem  that  would 
be  paid.  They  were  informed  as  to  the  number  of  members  composing 
the  National  Council.  They  also  knew  what  the  current  expenses  would 
be,  and  that  provision  would  have  to  be  made  for  the  maintenance  of  the 
National  Orphans'  Home.  With  this  knowledge,  and  with  a  full  day  to 
deliberate  the  same  after  the  places  of  meeting  had  been  nominated,  by  a 
decided  majority,  the  body  elected  to  go  to  San  Francisco  this  year. 
Whether  that  decision  meets  with  my  approval  or  not  is  not  material. 
The  fact  remains  that  the  National  Council,  by  ballot,  determined  on  meet- 
ing at  San  Francisco,  and  I  know  of  no  emergency  contemplated  by  law, 
that  would  warrant  the  Board  of  Officers  in  changing  the  place.  1  have 
carefully  considered  the  reading  of  the  Supreme  Law,  as  to  what  constitutes 
an  emergency  which  would  warrant  the  Board  in  changing  the  place  of 
meeting,  and  I  am  irresistibly  drawn  to  the  conclusion  that  an  emergency 
as  contemplated  by  the  law  is  not  something  that  was  seen,  known  and 
fully  considered  by  the  session,  when  it  fixed  the  place  of  meeting,  but  is 
something  that  arises  after  the  adjournment  of  the  session,  which  the  body 
could  not  foresee  or  know,  and  hence,  was  not  considered  by  the  body,  when 
it  passed  judgment  upon  and  determined  upon  the  next  place  of  meeting. 
If  the  body  was  prevented,  by  injunction  from  going  to  San  Francisco  or 
an  epidemic  of  some  contagious  disease  were  to  break  out  in  San  Francisco 
or  something  else  of  this  character  were  to  occur,   I  believe  there  would 

25 


386  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

be  such  an  emergency  as  would  warrant  the  Board  in  attempting  to  undo 
the  action  of  the  National  Council  in  session,  but  I  believe  that  the  Board 
of  Officers,  who  are  creatures  of  the  body,  should  not  set  up  their  judgment 
against  the  judgment  of  the  body  and  attempt  to  undo  and  reverse  the 
action  of  the  body,  which  had  created  them. 

"  It  may  have  been  unwise  for  the  National  Council  to  have  selected 
San  Francisco,  but  it  was  done  with  a  full  knowledge  of  the  conditions 
and  the  expense  attending  the  session  at  that  point;  there  is  no  power 
as  I  read  the  law,  in  the  Board  of  Officers  to  review  this  decision,  and  if 
a  mistake  has  been  made  by  the  N.  C,  it  and  not  the  Board  of  Officers, 
should  be  responsible  for  that  mistake. 

"  I  must  therefore  decline  to  attempt  to  change  the  place  of  meeting, 
as  requested  in  the  letter  of  the  National  Representatives  from  Ohio  hereto 
attached,  and  if  you  concur  with  me  in  this  judgment,  the  action  of  the 
Board  is  subject  to  appeal  and  review  by  the  National  Judiciary,  who 
may  decide  that  our  interpretation  of  the  law  is  wrong  but  without  such 
a  decision,  I  do  not  feel  like  attempting  to  reverse  the  decision  of  the 
National  Council.  Of  course,  I  realize  that  the  other  members  of  the  Board 
have  power  to  reverse  me  in  this  matter. 

"  In  addition  to  the  foregoing,  I  might  say  that  comparatively  few, 
i.  e.,  less  than  one-third  of  the  officers  and  members  of  the  National  Council 
have  expressed  any  desire  for  a  change. 

"  I  am  also  advised  that  in  all  probability  before  a  majority  of  the 
members  could  be  heard  from  and  the  letter  sent  around  among  the  Board, 
it  would  be  too  late  to  send  out  the  notice  for  the  session,  as  required  by 
law. 

"  I  would  be  glad  to  have  your  action  on  the  foregoing,  and  your 
concurrence  or  disapproval  of  my  position." 

The  very  clear  construction  of  the  term  "  emergency,"  as 
given  above,  and  the  construction  of  the  vested  rights  conferred 
upon  the  Board  of  Officers  by  the  laws  of  the  Order,  were  concurred 
in  by  National  Vice-Councilor  Brother  Cooper  and  Junior  Past 
National  Councilor  Brother  Cray. 

In  the  consideration  of  the  change  of  time  of  the  meeting, 
the  inclination  of  the  Board  of  Officers  was  to  set  the  time  in 
August;  but  on  referring  to  the  statute  adopted  at  Milwaukee, 
which  read :  "  Provided  that  the  time  thus  fixed  shall  be  within 
thirty  days  of  the  regular  time  of  meeting,"  there  was  no  alterna- 
tive but  to  meet  in  May,  which  change  was  officially  made. 

We  have  given  much  space  to  the  subject  of  "  Change  of  Time 
of  Meeting  of  the  National  Council,"  with  the  endeavor  to  satisf  j 
all  criticism  that  might  arise  even  at  this  date  why  the  place  oj 
meeting  was  not  changed  as  well  as  the  time  of  meeting.  We  are 
in  position  to  know,  that  had  it  been  within  the  vested  rights  of  the 
National  Board  of  Officers  to  change  the  place  of  meeting  in  line 
with  the  spirit  of  the  communication  from  the  Representatives  of 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  387 

Ohio,  that  the  change  would  have  been  made,  and  the  decision  would 
have  been  concurred  in  by  a  large  number  of  the  leaders  of  the 
National  Body. 

It  is  not  within  the  province  of  these  annals  to  speak  of  the 
delightful  trip  across  the  great  plains  and  over  the  mighty  moun- 
tain ranges  of  our  country;  suffice  it  to  say,  that  after  a  week's 
ride,  stopping  at  Denver,  Colorado  Springs,  Pikes  Peak,  Garden 
of  the  Gods  and  Salt  Lake  City,  the  special  train  bearing  a  major- 
ity of  the  members  of  the  National  Body  reached  the  "  Golden 
Gate,"  May  19,  and  the  Thirty-fifth  Annual  Session  of  the  National 
Council  convened  on  the  20th,  with  National  Councilor  George  B. 
Bowers  in  the  Chair,  who  presided  over  the  body  with  gentleness  of 
spirit  and  urbanity  of  manner,  characteristics  of  his  administra- 
tion, both  as  State  Councilor  of  Pensylvania  and  National 
Councilor. 

Eoll-call  showed  that  118  members  of  the  body  were  present;  it 
also  revealed  the  fact  that  many  familiar  faces  were  missing  at 
this  session,  prominently  among  those  were  J.  Adam  Sohl,  Na- 
tional Treasurer,  prevented  from  being  present  on  account  of  per- 
sonal illness,  Brothers  Eobert  Ogle  and  Smith  W.  Bennett,  kept 
away  by  business  matters,  and  National  Vice-Councilor  Dr.  J.  L. 
Cooper,  whose  genial  sm'iles  and  "  glad  hand "  always  made 
every  one  feel  at  home  in  his  presence,  was  also  detained  through 
personal  affliction.  That  he  was  bitterly  disappointed  as  well  as  the 
members  of  the  National  Body,  is  clear  by  the  following  telegram : 

"  Fort  Worth,  Texas,  May  19,  1903. 

"  Edw.   S.   Deemer,   Sec'y,   Lick   Hotel,   care   National  Council,   San  Fran- 
cisco, Cal. 
"  Am  in  hospital  with  erysipelas  following  operation  on  middle  ear. 
Impossible  to  travel.    My  heart  is  broken  that  I  cannot  be  with  you.     May 
every  ballot  you  take  stand  for  a  greater  Junior  Order. 

"  J.  L.  Cooper,  M.  D." 

REPORTS   OF   TTTE    OFFICERS   OF   THE 
NATIONAL   COUNCIL 

In  the  various  reports  of  the  National  Council  Officers,  a 
resume  of  the  most  important  features  of  the  Order  for  the  year 
was  given,  much  of  which  finds  a  place  in  other  portions  of  this 
volume.     A  very  brief  reference  here  is  given: 

1.  The  case  in  New  York  wherein  the  insurgent  State  Council 
was  plaintiff  and  the  loyal  State  Council  et  al.,  were  defendants, 
was  decided  in  favor  of  the  defendants. 


388  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

2.  The  case  of  the  two  contending  State  Councils  in  Pennsyl- 
vania had  been  argued  before  the  Common  Pleas  Court  of  Phila- 
delphia, and  very  voluminous  testimony  had  been  submitted,  but 
no  decision  had  been  handed  down. 

3.  The  Jr.  F.  B.  Association  of  Philadelphia,  controlled  by 
insurgent  leaders,  cited  before  the  Attorney-General  of  Pennsyl- 
vania the  officers  of  the  Beneficiary  Degree  and  Funeral  Benefit 
Department.  The  Attorney- General  refused  the  writ,  and  by  the 
surrendering  of  the  Colorado  Charter,  under  which  the  Beneficiary 
Degree  was  incorporated,  the  entire  proceedings  virtually  ended. 

4.  The  National  Councilor  asked  for  a  writ  of  Quo  Warranto 
before  the  Attorney- General  of  Pennsylvania  to  inquire  into  the 
right  of  the  Jr.  A.  M.  F.  B.  Association  to  do  business  in  Pennsyl- 
vania. The  case  had  not  as  yet  been  decided  by  the  courts  of 
Philadelphia. 

5.  In  reference  to  the  recommendation  of  the  then  National 
Councilor,  Brother  Cray  adopted  at  the  last  session,  that  a  "  suit- 
able person  be  appointed  to  prepare  a  new  Bitual,"  the  National 
Councilor  stated  that  the  National  Body  did  not  indicate  who  was 
to  appoint  such  "  suitable  person,"  nor  did  it  make  any  appropria- 
tion for  compensation  for  the  services  of  such  a  person. 

6.  The  demand  for  the  extending  of  the  "  olive  branch  "  had 
been  made  so  frequently  that  at  the  last  session  the  members  of  the 
National  Body  yielded  to  the  conservative  or  the  so-called  "  peace  " 
element  of  the  National  Council,  and  without  any  solicitation  on  the 
part  of  the  insurgents,  appointed  an  arbitration  Committee  of 
three  to  meet  a  similar  Committee  of  the  disloyal  party,  with  the 
object  of  effecting  a  settlement  of  differences.  The  insurgents 
appointed  a  Committee  of  five  to  meet  said  loyal  committee,  and  in 
the  letter  to  the  National  Board  of  Officers  fixing  the  time  and  place 
of  such  meeting  the  following  was  a  part: 

"  Action  taken  on  Saturday  last  regarding  the  communication  resulted 
in  the  appointment  of  a  committee  for  the  purpose  of  receiving  any  pro- 
posals the  National  Council,  Jr.  O.  U.  A.  M.,  may  have  to  make  through  its 
Committee.  We  waive  all  reference  to  the  misstatements  in  the  communi- 
cation of  September  3  (Junior  Past  National  Councilor,  A.  L.  Cray,  Chair- 
man of  Arbitration  Committee),  except  to  say  that  the  members  of  the 
Jr.  0.  U.  A.  M.,  called  insurgents,  in  the  said  insurgent  states,  have  never 
expressed  directly  nor  by  implication,  any  anxiety  to  meet  the  National 
Committee  or  a  committee  thereof." 

This  communication  was  signed  by  Fergus  A.  Dennis,  E.  T. 
Keeton,  Lewis  F.  Page,  Wm.  A.  Pike,  W.  L.  Boyden,  Committee. 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  389 

As  the  subject  is  treated  more  fully  in  another  chapter,  under  the 
head  "  The  Conflict  at  the  Crossing  of  the  Centuries,"  comment 
here  is  not  necessary. 

7.  Certain  periodicals,  purporting  to  be  published  in  the  inter- 
est of  the  Order,  published  during  the  year  very  abusive  articles 
assailing  the  National  Council  and  its  officers.  To  such  an  extent 
did  they  pursue  their  villification  of  the  leaders  and  work  of  the 
Order,  that  the  National  Councilor  was  under  the  necessity  of  noti- 
fying them  to  refrain  from  further  libelous  insertions. 

8.  As  per  action  of  the  National  Body  at  its  last  session,  the 
final  adjustment  of  The  American  was  consummated  and  R.  Baur 
&  Son,  of  Wilkes-Barre,  Pa.,  were  given  the  contract  to  print  the 
paper  and  T.  Walter  Gelwicks,  of  Philadelphia,  was  selected  to  be 
editor  at  a  salary  of  $400  a  year.  On  a  basis  of  2,800  copies,  the 
publishers  agreed  to  furnish  The  American  to  the  subscribers  at 
$61  per  issue,  including  postage. 

9.  The  statistical  report  showed  the  number  of  Councils  to 
have  been  1,382,  and  the  membership  116,106,  a  gain  of  68  Councils 
and  6,009  members. 

THE    NATIONAL    ORPHANS'    HOME 

•  The  first  real  reverse  met  by  the  Home  occurred  on  June  11, 
1902,  when  the  three  buildings  used  for  housing  the  stock  and  stor- 
ing the  grain  of  the  farm  were  burned,  having  been  struck  by 
lightning,  entailing  a  considerable  loss. 

A  battle  between  duty  and  sympathy  and  the  establishment  of 
a  precedent  came  up  before  the  Trustees.  Application  for  admis- 
sion to  the  Home  of  two  children  of  a  deceased  member  of  a  disloyal 
Council  was  made  through  National  Councilor  Brother  Bowers. 
Two  members  of  the  Board  of  Trustees,  acting  from  a  sense  of 
sympathy,  consented  to  admit  them,  but  the  majority  of  the  Board 
felt  that  it  would  be  in  violation  of  the  laws  of  the  Order  to  grant 
the  application,  and  at  the  same  time  be  setting  up  a  dangerous 
precedent.  The  Trustees  found  it  necessary  to  refuse  the  appli- 
cation of  a  child  of  a  criminal  sentenced  to  prison  for  murder  in  the 
second  degree,  as  the  law  only  provided  admission  for  minor  chil- 
dren of  deceased  members. 

Twenty-five  children  were  admitted  to  the  Home  during  the 
year,  one  died  and  15  released,  making  a  total  in  the  institution, 
April  1,  1903,  of  111.  The  Trustees  were  Wm.  C.  Anderson,  Presi- 
dent; E.  D.  Bowland,  Secretary;  Frank  W.  Pierson,  Treasurer; 
Joseph  Powell  and  D.  B.  McDonald. 


390  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 


FUNERAL   BENEFIT   DEPARTMENT 

This  most  excellent  feature  of  the  organization  was  becoming 
more  and  more  popular,  and  under  the  management  of  Brother 
Stephen  Collins,  Secretary-Manager,  made  great  advancement  dur- 
ing the  year,  notwithstanding  the  vicious  attack  made  upon  it  by 
the  officials  of  the  Jr.  A.  M.  F.  B.  Association  of  Philadelphia,  which 
dragged  the  Department  as  well  as  the  Beneficiary  Degree  into  the 
courts,  causing  the  expenditure  of  much  money  to  preserve  its  life. 
Referring  to  the  above  named  Association,  Brother  Collins  "  hit 
the  nail  on  the  head  "  when  he  says : 

"  This  is  the  organization,  which,  through  its  officers,  are  more 
responsible  than  any  other  agency  for  the  entire  trouble  in  the  organiza- 
tion. Without  their  official  and  moral  support  the  insurrection  in  the  East 
would  not  have  existed  longer  than  its  incipiency.  The  officers  of  the 
Philadelphia  Association,  including  all  the  Directors,  are  leaders  in  the 
insurrection  in  the  National  Council  and  the  Order  itself.  This  cannot 
be  disputed,  as  the  records  show  it  to  be  a  fact." 

As  shown  in  another  place,  the  hearing  before  the  Attorney- 
General  in  the  proceedings  instituted  by  the  Association  of  Phila- 
delphia, resulted  favorably  to  the  National  Council  and  the  Funeral 
Benefit  Department. 

A  recapitulation  of  the  receipts  and  expenditures  of  the  De- 
partment showed  that  over  $60,000  had  been  received  and  $56,- 
205.48  expended,  of  which  $50,250  was  for  201  deaths,  leaving  a 
balance  on  hand,  including  previous  balance,  of  $9,746.23.  During 
the  year  28,722  members  were  enrolled,  5,422  dropped  from  the 
rolls,  leaving  a  membership  April  30,  1903,  of  44,452,  a  net  gain 
of  23,300.  Never  in  the  history  of  the  Jr.  A.  M.  F.  B.  Association 
was  such  a  record  shown. 

THE  BENEFICIARY  DEGREE 

Under  the  management  of  Brother  Collins,  this  branch  of  the 
Order  showed  some  advancement,  though  in  less  degree  than  the 
Funeral  Benefit  Department.  A  net  gain  of  64  members  was  re- 
ported, and  the  surplus  in  the  treasury  was  $5,389.95,  about  double 
that  reported  at  last  session.  The  number  of  certificates  in  force 
was  479,  representing  an  insurance  of  $673,500. 

The  incubus  that  held  in  check  the  progress  of  the  Beneficiary 
Degree  was  the  Colorado  charter  by  which  it  was  controlled,  mak- 
ing its  transactions  questionable,  owing  to  the  bitter  litigation  waged 
against  it.     In  the  hearing  before  the  Attorney- General  of  Penn- 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  391 

sylvania  it  was  intimated  by  that  official  that  while  there  could  be 
no  objection  found  with  the  operations  of  the  Beneficiary  Degree 
under  the  charter  of  the  National  Council,  which  was  undoubtedly 
doing  a  legal  business,  that  he  (the  Attorney-General)  believed  the 
Colorado  charter  to  be,  at  least,  objectionable.  Acting  upon  this 
intimation  and  under  the  advice  of  the  attorneys  of  the  Order,  the 
Colorado  charter  was  cancelled. 

REPORT    OF    THE    ARBITRATION    COMMITTEE 

Incidentally,  reference  has  already  been  made  to  this,  and  even 
in  this  connection  it  can  but  be  briefly  noted,  as  a  full  resume  has 
been  given  under  its  proper  head. 

In  view  of  the  fact  that  the  insurgents  had  appointed  five  on 
their  Committee,  the  National  Board  of  Officers  added  to  the  loyal 
Committee  Brothers  Bobert  Ogle,  of  Maryland,  and  H.  H.  Billany, 
of  Delaware,  to  make  an  equal  number.  Since  a  majority  of  the 
insurgent  Committee  were  members  of  the  legal  profession,  the 
National  Councilor  asked  Brother  Alex.  M.  DeHaven  to.  represent 
the  National  Council  as  its  attorney. 

The  first  joint  meeting  was  arranged  for  Philadelphia,  Janu- 
ary 30,  1903,  at  which  time  the  insurgent  Committee  objected  to 
the  presence  of  Brothers  Ogle  and  Billany,  claiming  that  they  were 
not  legally  members  of  the  loyal  Committee,  and  at  the  same  time 
objected  to  Brother  DeHaven  and  the  stenographer.  At  the  sug- 
gestion of  Brother  DeHaven,  the  original  Committee,  Brothers 
Cray,  Eichter  and  Calver,  acted  as  the  representatives  of  the  Na- 
tional Council,  and  they  submitted  the  first  proposition,  which  was 
as  follows: 

"  That  you  come  back  into  the  Order;  pay  all  per  capita  tax  due,  and 
that  you  obey  the  laws  of  the  National  Council,  and  discontinue  all  liti- 
gation." 

To  this  reasonable  proposition  came  the  reply : 
"We  cannot  accept  this." 

The  insurgent  Committee  then  presented  propositions,  which 
were  nothing  more  than  recommendations,  to  be  presented  at  the 
next  session  of  the  National  Council,  which  the  loyal  Committee 
agreed  to  do  with  slight  modifications.  This  joint  meeting,  how- 
ever, was  fruitless  of  results. 

Another  meeting  of  the  Committe  was  held  at  Pittsburg,  Pa.. 
May  1,  same  year.  At  this  meeting  the  insurgent  Committee 
submitted  a  series  of  propositions,  which,  with  sonic  amendments, 


392  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

were  accepted  by  the  loyal  Committee,  whereupon,  a  recess  was 
taken.  On  the  reassembling  of  the  Joint  Committee  the  insurgent 
Committee  refused  to  accept  the  amendments  suggested  or  de- 
manded by  the  loyal  Committee,  and  declared,  through  its  Chair- 
man, that  the  original  propositions  was  their  "  ultimatum''  where- 
upon, the  meeting  or  conference  adjourned  and  no  progress  towards 
a  settlement  was  made. 

During  the  controversy  in  the  Order  the  insurgents  contended 
in  their  litigation  that  one  reason  why  the  laws  adopted  at  Minne- 
apolis were  illegal  was  because  they  were  not  introduced  in  one  ses- 
sion and  voted  on  at  the  next  as  provided  by  Art.  XXV  of  the  old 
National  Council  Constitution  which  stated  that  the  general  laws 
should  not  be  altered  or  amended  oftener  than  five  years  unless  by 
a  two-thirds  vote,  etc.  It  was  also  provided  that  all  proposed 
amendments  should  be  submitted  at  one  session,  referred  to  the 
Committee  on  Law,  which  Committee  made  its  report  to  the  next 
session  relative  thereto.  This  was  the  procedure  followed  by  the 
National  Council.  On  motion  of  Brother  Collins  at  Louisville,  in 
1898,  the  general  laws  and  the  National  Council  Constitution,  etc., 
were  referred  to  the  incoming  Committee  on  Law  for  general  revis- 
ion.    (Proceedings,  Louisville  session,  page  113.) 

THE  JUNIOR  AMERICAN  MECHANICS'  FUNERAL 
BENEFIT  ASSOCIATION 

"Reference  to  this  Association  has  been  made  in  these  pages, 
and  what  was  known  to  every  member  of  the  National  Body,  said 
Association  was  the  main  factor  in  the  insurrection,  and  gave  at 
least  moral  support  to  the  movement  that  had  for  its  purpose  the 
wrecking  of  the  Junior  Order.  At  the  session  of  the  National 
Council  in  1884  a  resolution  was  adopted  recommending  the  Fu- 
neral Benefit  Association  to  the  membership,  and  although  it  was 
not  in  any  way  amenable  to  the  National  Council,  yet  it  recognized 
in  this  resolution  an  endorsement.  Fearing  that  the  officers  of  the 
Association  would  endeavor  to  convey  to  the  membership  the  idea 
that  by  this  endorsement  said  Association  was  still  in  connection 
with  the  Order,  a  resolution  was  adopted  at  this  session  rescinding 
the  former  recommendation  or  endorsement,  declaring  that  the 
Funeral  Benefit  Department  of  the  Jr.  0.  IT.  A.  M.,  created  at  Buf- 
falo, in  1901,  was  the  only  Association  that  was  controlled  by  and 
amenable  to  the  National  Council. 

It  is  surpassingly  strange  that  in  the  face  of  this  well-known 
fact  of  the  said  Association  being  the  citadel  from  which  the  battle 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  S9S 

against  the  National  Council  was  being  waged,  while  at  the  same 
time  its  officers  and  Directors  were  no  longer  members  of  the  Order, 
that  when  the  resolution  to  rescind  the  former  action  was  consid- 
ered, and  at  the  same  time  avowing  that  the  Funeral  Benefit  De- 
partment was  a  part  of  the  National  Council,  that  on  its  final  pas- 
sage, the  ayes  and  nays  were  called  and  fifty-five  members  of  the 
National  Council  voted  against  the  resolution.  The  resolution 
however,  was  adopted  by  a  vote  of  sixty-six. 

ELECTION   OF   OFFICERS 

Previous  to  taking  the  ballot  for  the  officers  for  the  ensuing 
year,  the  statement  was  made,  that  owing  to  the  fact  that  the  law 
required  the  National  Councilor  to  hold  office  a  full  year,  and  that 
the  same  rule  applied  also  to  the  National  Vice-Councilor  before 
he  could  be  promoted  to  the  Chair  of  the  National  Councilor,  that 
the  officers-elect  could  not  be  installed  until  the  expiration  of  their 
terms.     The  following  officers  were  then  elected: 

National  Councilor — Dr.  J.  L.  Cooper,  of  Texas, 

National  Vice-Councilor — W.  E.  Faison,  of  North  Carolina, 

National  Treasurer — J.  Adam  Sohl,  of  Maryland, 

National  Conductor — Martin  M.  Woods,  of  Massachusetts, 

National  Warden — Arthur  E.  Baisley,  of  Michigan, 

National  Inside  Sentinel — H.  E.  Schaertzer,  of  California, 

National  Outside  Sentinel — 0.  B.  Hopkins,  of  Virginia, 

National  Chaplain — Rev.  M.  D.  Lichliter,  of  Pennsylvania, 

Board  of  Control,  Beneficiary  Degree — E.  R.  Dillingham,  of  Georgia. 

The  Committee  on  Credentials  and  Mileage  and  Per  Diem 
reported  the  total  mileage  and  per  diem  to  be  $14,882.58. 

The  courtesies  extended  to  the  members  of  the  National  Body 
and  the  goodly  number  of  ladies  who  accompanied  the  brothers 
was  in  harmony  with  the  "  glad  hand  "  that  is  extended  to  visitors 
from  the  East  by  the  citizens  of  the  "  Golden  State."  When  not  in 
session  the  members  of  the  National  Body  and  their  ladies  were 
shown  the  "  sights  "  and  in  every  way  they  were  treated  royally 
by  the  brethren  of  the  Order.  The  excursion  to  San  Jose,  the 
carriage  ride  among  the  fruit  orchards,  and  the  banquet  served  by 
the  local  Council  will  remain  as  most  delightful  memories.  The 
sixty-mile  trolley  ride  under  the  auspices  of  the  local  Councils  in 
Los  Angeles,  and  the  many  little  side-trips  made  in  Southern  Cali- 
fornia, will  linger  in  our  recollections  to  our  latest  day. 


CHAPTER    XXV 
SESSIONS    OF  THE   NATIONAL   COUNCIL  (Concluded) 

ST.    LOUIS,    MO.,    1904 

ALL  eyes  turned  toward  the  "  White  City  "  in  1904,  where  was 
to  be  celebrated  the  centenary  of  the  Louisiana  Purchase,  by 
a  World's  Fair.  Very  appropriately,  therefore,  the  National  Coun- 
cil decided  to  hold  its  Thirty-sixth  Annual  Session  in  the  City  of 
St.  Louis,  Mo.,  in  the  month  of  June,  1904.  The  session  was  pre- 
sided over  by  Dr.  J.  L.  Cooper,  National  Councilor,  and  129  mem- 
bers were  in  attendance. 

The  hotel  agreed  upon  for  headquarters  as  well  as  place  of 
meeting  having  failed  to  meet  the  conditions  required,  and  at  the 
same  time  not  being  at  all  desirable,  the  "  Inside  Inn  "  was  selected 
as  headquarters  and  the  session  opened  in  the  assembly  room  of 
same.  President  Francis,  of  the  Exposition,  and  Mayor  Wells, 
of  the  City  of  St.  Louis  in  befitting  words  extended  the  courtesies 
of  the  Exposition  and  City  to  the  National  Body,  to  which  Dr.  E. 
Atmar  Smith,  of  South  Carolina,  responded  on  behalf  of  the 
National  Council.  Subsequently,  the  National  Council  fixed  the 
Fraternity  Building  as  the  place  of  meeting  and  the  session  was 
continued  and  closed  at  that  place. 

THE   REPORT   OF   THE   NATIONAL   COUNCILOR 

For  beauty  of  rhetoric,  sublimity  of  diction,  in  which  the  past 
was  presented,  by  way  of  comparison,  with  the  glorious  present, 
nothing  in  the  history  of  the  National  Body  ever  excelled  the  In- 
troduction as  given  by  Dr.  Cooper  as  prefatory  to  his  report. 
Would  that  space  was  not  too  limited  that  the  entire  "  Preliminary  " 
might  be  inserted  in  full,  not  so  much  for  the  beautiful  language 
in  which  couched,  but  for  the  historic  parallelisms  presented,  show- 
ing a  wide  knowledge  and  deep  research  into  the  annals  of  the 
ages.  Suffice  it,  however,  to  note  a  few  extracts  as  a  sample  of  the 
Doctor's  vein  of  thought: 

"  A  well-balanced  exposition  of  the  industries  of  the  world  must 
elicit  the  admiration  and  attract  the  attention  of  civilized  people  every- 
where. Through  its  influence  how  grand  are  the  opportunities  to  promote 
fraternity  among  all  nations,  whose  representations  and  whose  displays 
will   here   meet   in   the   friendly   competition   of   a   Christian   civilization. 

394 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  395 

The  opportunity  is  here  presented  our  people  to  show  to  all  the  world  our 
patriotism,  our  love  for  our  Hag  and  our  cherished  institutions.  And 
when  we  contemplate  the  displays  of  other  nations,  we  may  recall  the 
fact  that  most  of  their  governments  have  come  down  through  the  long 
vista  of  ages  past,  that  their  histories'  page  is  seared  with  the  barnacles 
of  hoary  centuries,  while  our  country  is  yet  in  its  infancy,  and  the  howl 
of  the  coyote,  the  tread  of  the  bison  and  the  whoop  of  the  savage  has 
hardly  died  away,  yet  we  look  with  profound  satisfaction  on  the  thinga 
that  we  have  for  the  world  to  see.  .  .  . 

"  The  principles  of  the  great  Order  that  we  represent  here  to-day 
declare  fealty  to  those  of  our  American  institutions  out  of  which  springs 
our  present  form  of  patriotic  citizenship,  and  gives  to  the  individual 
citizen  that  cherished  personal  liberty  never  known  before. 

"  For  two  centuries  now  American  liberty  has  shed  its  rosy  halo 
around  the  golden  portals  of  patriotism,  and  stands  to-day  as  a  beacon 
light  to  all  the  nations  of  the  earth. 

"  How  mighty  has  been  the  influence  of  these  principles  for  which 
our  great  army  of  Juniors  have  been  battling  for  half  a  century.  Under 
our  teachings  of  patriotism,  love  of  country,  public  education,  reading 
the  Bible  in  the  public  schools,  separation  of  Church  and  State,  we  have 
influenced  with  emphasis  all  the  nations  about  us. 

"  Under  its  teachings  and  by  the  force  of  its  examples,  the  Italians 
have  expelled  their  petty  and  arbitrary  princelings,  and  united  under  a 
parliamentary  government;  the  gloomy  despotism  of  Spain  has  been  dis- 
pelled by  the  representatives  of  the  people  and  a  free  press;  the  great 
German  race  have  demonstrated  their  power  for  empire  and  their  ability 
to  govern  themselves;  Norway  and  Sweden  have  thrown  off  the  yoke  of 
absolute  monarchism  and  their  people  now  have  a  voice  in  good  govern- 
mental affairs;  the  sea-girt  isle  of  Britain  has  been  robed  in  patriotic 
light  and  is  making  her  great  pulsations  beat  to  the  march  of  a  new 
era;  and  even  France,  from  the  dark  December  of  her  destiny,  has  come 
forth  robed  in  the  grand  vestments  of  a  Republican  form  of  government, 
and  the  hope  of  life  like  a  bird  of  Paradise  rises  from  the  ruins  of  her 
old  Bastile. 

"Yea!  the  influence  of  our  blessed  free  and  republican  form  of 
government,  our  institutions,  '  of  the  people,  by  the  people  and  for  the 
people,'  wings  its  way  to-day,  not  only  over  the  breathing  devotions  of 
our  own  Christian  people,  but  with  its  unblanched  eye  fixed  in  a  steady 
gaze  upon  the  resplendant  sun  of  other  climes,  basking  in  its  beatific 
blaze,  its  radiant  influence  reflects  the  blessings  of  coming  years  and 
glistens,  we  believe,  with  the  splendors  of  a  glorious  destiny. 

"  And  thus  under  the  influence  of  that  liberty,  exemplified  by  the 
American  eagle,  swathed  in  the  loving  folds  of  the  '  Star  Spangled 
Banner'  the  churlishness  of  Romanism  everywhere  and  the  darkness  of 
night  of  a  new  Freedom  is  already  gilding  the  hilltops  of  heretofore 
benighted  nations,  and  filling  the  breasts  of  their  people  with  a  new 
era  of  hope." 

It  was  the  National  Councilor's  sad  duty,  owing  to  the  incapac- 
ity of  National  Treasurer  Brother  Sohl  to  serve,  to  appoint  an 
Acting  National  Treasurer;  and  a  very  worthy  brother  was  chosen 


396  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

to  relieve  Brother  Sohl,  P.  N.  C.  Brother  Charles  Eeimer.  From 
1871  Brother  Sohl  had  been  an  active  member  of  the  National 
body,  serving  as  National  Protector,  National  Marshal,  and  Na- 
tional Councilor,  and  from  1883  had  served  in  the  responsible  posi- 
tion of  National  Treasurer. 

REPORT   OF    THE    NATIONAL    SECRETARY 

Brother  Cooper,  upon  assuming  the  duties  of  National  Coun- 
cilor, sounded  the  "  slogan  "  for  15,000  members,  and  it  must  have 
been  gratifying  to  himself  as  well  as  to  the  National  Secretary,  to 
report  at  the  end  of  the  calendar  year,  December  31,  1903,  a  total 
of  1,506  Councils,  making  a  gain  of  124,  and  a  membership  of 
130,977,  being  a  gain  of  14,871.  If  it  had  been  possible  to  tabulate 
the  gain  from  January  1,  to  June  1,  1904,  the  increase  would  have 
been  much  greater;  and  deducting  the  number  uniting  with  the 
Order  from  Januar}'  1,  to  June  30,  1903,  belonging  to  the  adminis- 
tration of  National  Councilor  Brother  Bowers,  there  would  still 
have  been  left  enough  to  far  exceed  the  15,000.  A  very  gratifying 
feature  of  the  statistical  report  was  shown,  that  28  states  reported 
an  increase  in  membership  of  15,056,  while  but  nine  states  reported 
a  loss  of  only  185  members,  making,  as  above  stated,  a  net  gain 
of  14,871. 

REPORT   OF   FUNERAL   BENEFIT   DEPARTMENT   AND   BENEFICIARY 

DEGREE 

The  Secretary-Manager,  Brother  Collins,  of  the  Funeral  Bene- 
fit Department  and  Beneficiary  Degree,  again  favored  the  National 
Body  with  a  very  gratifying  report.  Next  to  the  Orphans  Home, 
these  two  features  of  the  Order  lie  nearest  the  human  heart.  Dur- 
ing the  interim  of  the  meeting  of  the  National  Council,  hundreds 
of  homes  are  brightened  and  hundreds  of  hearts  are  cheered  by  the 
coming  of  the  little  check  that  has  much  to  do  in  scattering  sunshine 
where  the  shadows  have  fallen. 

According  to  the  report,  382  death  benefits  were  paid,  amount- 
ing to  $95,500.  During  the  same  period  the  membership  increased 
from  44,452  to  64,983,  a  net  gain  of  20,531,  while  the  surplus  in- 
creased from  $9,746.23  to  $10,521.19.  While  the  increase  in  sur- 
plus was  not  very  great,  still  it  would  have  been  larger  had  not  the 
Association  at  Philadelphia  forced  the  Department  into  the  courts 
to  defend  its  life  at  a  cost  for  legal  expenses  of  $1,711.45.  It  is 
interesting  to  note  that  of  the  382  who  died  during  the  year,  con- 
sumption claimed  the  largest  number,  83,  killed  by  accidents,  etc., 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  397 

coming  next  with  57,  and  pneumonia  being  third  in  line,  having 
taken  away  46.  As  to  ages  at  death,  one  died  at  sixteen  years  of 
age  and  one  at  sixty-seven.  With  the  exceptions  of  60,  61,  62,  63, 
and  66,  every  year  from  16  to  67  showed  that  one  or  more  had  died, 
making  the  average  at  death  35.5  years. 

Equally  gratifying  was  the  report  of  the  Beneficiary  Degree, 
there  being  an  increase  in  membership  in  good  standing  of  55  per 
cent.,  and  of  surplus  funds  of  60  per  cent.  Three  hundred  and 
thirty-two  certificates  were  written  during  the  year  for  $425,500, 
making  the  number  of  certificates  at  the  end  of  the  year's  business, 
after  deducting  all  losses,  of  745,  with  an  insurance  value  of  $936,- 
500.  As  an  evidence  of  the  rigid  examination  of  the  Chief  Ex- 
aminer, Dr.  Cooper,  only  two  died  during  the  year. 

THE  NATIONAL   ORPHANS'   HOME 

The  number  of  children  admitted  to  the  Home,  according  to 
the  report  of  the  Board  of  Trustees,  ending  May  1,  1904,  was  26. 
None  having  died  during  the  year  and  but  8  being  released,  the 
number  in  the  institution  at  above  date  was  129,  of  whom  95  were 
boys  and  34  were  girls.  The  total  expenditures  for  the  fiscal  year 
was  $19,555.19.  The  inventory  of  property  was  placed  at  $80,770. 
During  the  year  an  annex  was  built  to  Cottage  No.  2  at  a  cost  of 
$3,112. 

But  few  resolutions  and  statutes  of  importance  were  passed 
and  adopted.  The  most  important  was  the  adoption  of  a  resolution 
by  a  vote  of  122  ayes  to  1  nay  to  amend  the  Objects  of  the  Order, 
the  same  being  referred  to  the  State  Councils  for  their  concurrence. 
The  Second  Object  was  the  only  one  to  be  affected  and  was  amended 
as  it  reads  to-day.     The  Object  formerly  read : 

"To  establish  an  Insurance  Branch  and  a  Sick  and  Funeral  Fund." 

The  following  statute  was  adopted,  adding  a  new  chapter  to 
the  National  Laws : 

CHAPTER  XXV 

The  last  Sunday  of  May  in  each  year  be,  and  the  same  is,  hereby 
set  apart  and  designated  as  Junior  O.  U.  A.  M.  Memorial  Day,  for  the 
purpose  of  conducting  appropriate  ceremonies  commemorative  of  our 
deceased  brothers. 

A  very  interesting  event  took  place  during  the  session  of  the 
National  Body,  and  one  in  which  our  Senior  Past  National  Coun- 
cilor, Brother  John  W.  Calver,  took  special  delight,  was  the  intro- 


398  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

dnction  to  the  National  Council  of  Brother  Samuel  Steventon,  one 
of  the  first  graduates  of  the  Orphans'  Home.  Brother  Steventon 
made  an  appropriate  reply  to  the  welcome  extended. 

As  an  evidence  of  the  good  feeling  that  prevailed  in  the  Na- 
tional Body,  but  one  objection  was  made  to  the  report  of  the  Finance 
Committee  in  the  appropriations  for  the  ensuing  year,  and  that 
was  in  increasing  the  item  for  Publications  from  $2,000  to 
$4,000.  With  this  single  exception  the  record  states :  "  Approved 
without  objection." 

The  same  fact  was  also  evidenced  in  the  election  of  officers, 
there  not  being  a  single  competition.  In  view  of  this,  P.  S.  C.  Dr. 
Wenner,  of  Ohio,  moved  "  that  in  consideration  of  the  fact  that 
there  was  no  opposition  to  the  several  nominees,  that  each  candi- 
date be  credited  by  the  election  officers  with  the  full  number  of 
votes  cast,"  which  was  agreed  to.  In  conformity  with  the  motion 
adopted  the  election  board  gave  the  following  result,  each  credited 
with  129  votes: 

National  Councilor — W.  E.  Faison,  of  North  Carolina, 
National  Vice-Councilor — W.   L.   S.   Gilcreast,  of  Massachusetts, 
National  Treasurer —  Charles  Reimer,  of  Maryland, 
National  Conductor — Fred  W.  Houghton,  of  Michigan, 
National  Warden — C.  O.  Bohrer,  of  District  of  Columbia, 
National  Inside  Sentinel — James  C.  Brower,  of  New  York, 
National  Outside  Sentinel — S.   H.  Miller,  of  Kansas, 
National  Chaplain — Rev.  M.  D.  Lichliter,  of  Pennsylvania, 
Board  of  Control — W.  L.   Humphrey,  of   Alabama. 

The  Committee  on  Mileage  and  Per  Diem  reported  a  total  of 
$5,785.25. 

JUNIOR   PAST    NATIONAL    COUNCILOR   GEORGE    B.    BOWERS 

One  shadow  hung  over  the  National  Council,  under  which  the 
members  of  the  body  deliberated  with  saddened  hearts ;  Junior  Past 
National  Councilor  George  B.  Bowers  "  was  not,  for  God  had  taken 
him."  The  beautiful  sentiments  of  National  Councilor  Dr.  Cooper, 
with  reference  to  his  associate  on  the  Board,  is  worthy  of  place  in 
this  history : 

"  But,  my  brothers,  no  word  of  mine  can  add  to  the  splendid  record 
of  this  brave  and  loyal  brother.  As  gentle  as  a  prattling  babe,  as  kind 
as  a  mother's  love,  as  true  as  the  Scriptures,  as  tender  as  the  petals  of 
a  fresh  bride's  rose,  as  brave  as  a  lion,  he  was  a  golden-hearted  gen- 
tleman. .  .  . 

"  Brilliant  in  intellect,  lovely  in  spirit  and  rich  in  the  affectionate 
regard  for  the  good  of  all,  he  has  said  good  night,  and  has  gone  to  sleep. 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  399 

In  the  presence  of  such  a  life,  '  the  harpings  of  infidelity  are  hushed, 
atheism  receives  a  fatal  wound,  agnosticism  is  dumb,  and  stoicism  flees 
away.'  The  world  is  purer  that  he  has  brightened  it;  manhood  is  higher 
that  he  has  advanced  it;  Christianity  is  clearer  that  he  has  illumined 
it." 

The  Committee  to  whom  was  referred  the  duty  of  preparing 
suitable  resolutions  upon  the  death  of  Brother  Bowers,  submitted 
the  following  eulogy,  written  by  the  Chairman,  Brother  Smith  W. 
Bennett : 

RESOLUTIONS   ON  DEATH  OF  JR.  P.   N.   C.   GEO.   B.   BOWERS 

"  While  affection  abides  in  the  human  breast,  and  the  love  of  man 
for  man  and  his  welfare  seeks  beyond  his  temporal  happiness  an  eternal 
condition  of  joy,  so  long  Avill  hope  and  faith  plant  in  the  hearts  of  man- 
kind the  tenderest  sentiments  of  love  for  the  departed,  and  span  the 
bed  of  death  with  the  bow  of  promise. 

"  Expressive  of  such  hope  and  faith,  and  speaking  but  faintly  the 
great  love  and  affection  we  bore  our  departed  brother,  Jr.  Past  National 
Councilor,  George  B  Bowers,  we  bear  these  testimonials  of  his  worth, 
his  gentleness  and  his  Christian  character. 

"  He  was  a  man,  conscious  that  life  should  be  no  parade  ground,  but 
silently  and  secretly  doing  the  good  when  opportunity  offered  and  where 
the  right  might  displace  the  wrong. 

"  He  was  gentle,  with '  the  gentleness  of  a  nature  that  was  calm 
in  deliberation  and  unruffled  in  its  judgment.  He  separated  passion 
from  deliberation  and  exercised  with  charity  the  decrees  of  his  judgment 
and  the  promptings  of  his  best  thought. 

"He  was  a  Christian;  not  ostentatious,  but  charitable  in  word  and 
deed.  He  administered  to  the  fatherless,  '  and  kept  himself  unspotted 
from  the  world.'  His  work  as  a  member  and  officer  of  this  Order  was 
characterized  by  devotion  to  its  principles,  faith  in  the  supremacy  of  its 
ideals  and  of  the  right,  and  in  the  ultimate  triumph  of  the  cause  of  our 
fraternity. 

"  We  regret  most  keenly  our  loss  and  the  loss  of  those  who  were 
bound  to  him  by  family  ties;  but  not  as  those  without  hope. 

"  He  has  gone  out  into  the  sea,  trusting  the  pilot  who  knows  the 
way  that  he  may  find  an  eternal  haven  for  his  soul. 

"Resolved,  that  a  copy  of  these  resolutions  be  sent  to  the  family 
of  the  departed  brother,  and  also  be  printed  in  the  report  of  the  proceed- 
ings of  the  National  Council. 

"And  further  Resolved,  that  the  charter  of  the  National  Council 
be  draped  in  his  memory  for  a  period  of  thirty  days. 

"  Smith  W.   Bennett, 
"  M.  D.  Lichliter, 
"  Frank  W.  Pierson, 

"  Commit  tee." 

On  motion  of  Representative  James  Foust,  of  Pennsylvania, 
the  resolution  was  adopted  by  a  rising  vote,  the  members  remaining 


400  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

standing  a  moment,  with  bowed  heads  and  subdued  hearts,  while 
the  National  Chaplain,  in  softened  accents,  recited  the  Lord's 
Prayer.  It  was  a  very  befitting  closing  to  the  career  of  a  noble 
brother. 

NASHVILLE,   TENN.,    1905 

The  Thirty-seventh  Annual  Session  of  the  National  Council 
convened  in  the  beautiful  Southland  City  of  Nashville,  Tennessee, 
June  20,  1905,  and  continued  for  three  days.  National  Councilor 
W.  E.  Faison,  in  an  unassuming,  but  with  a  courteous  and  gentle- 
manly spirit,  presided  over  the  body,  there  being  present  at  roll- 
call  110  members. 

The  reception  accorded  the  National  Council  by  the  brothers 
of  Nashville  was  most  cordial,  characteristic  of  Southern  courtesy. 
Brothers  Gowan  and  Howse,  for  years  conspicuous  factors  in  the 
deliberations  of  the  National  Body,  were  everywhere  present  to 
welcome  their  fellow-members  to  their  home  city.  What  was  un- 
common in  the  history  of  the  National  Council,  a  Junior  Mayor, 
Mayor  Williams,  extended  the  hospitalities  of  the  city  to  the  body 
in  an  address  that  was  full  of  patriotism,  proving  beyond  doubt 
that  he  had  imbibed  the  principles  of  ,the  organization  around 
the  camp-fires  of  the  Order.  More  frequently  has  the  National 
Body  been  welcomed  in  a  mere  perfunctory  way  by  the  Chief  Magis- 
trates of  cities  who  either  knew  nothing  of  the  Order  itself,  or,  in 
heart,  were  antagonistic  to  its  objects  and  principles.  The  opening 
ceremonies  were  enlivene'd  by  the  presence  of  the  Orphans'  Home 
Band,  which  stirred  the  emotions  of  every  Junior,  while  their  pres- 
ence in  the  city  aroused  much  enthusiasm.  The  response  to  the 
address  of  welcome  was  made  by  Brother  "  Zip  "  P.  Smith,  editor 
of  The  American,  which  was  eloquent  and  patriotic.  An  era  of 
good  feeling  prevailed  throughout  the  entire  session ;  in  fact  it  was 
a  veritable  "  Methodist  lovefeast,"  minus  the  "  bread  and  water," 
and  all  rancor  and  bitterness  of  feeling  that,  unfortunately,  had 
been  present  within  the  National  Body,  even  since  the  separation 
of  1899,  melted  like  snow  before  the  morning  sun. 

REPORTS  OF  THE  NATIONAL  OFFICERS 

While  not  couched  in  the  rhetoric  of  his  predecessor,  the  re- 
port of  the  National  Councilor,  Brother  W.  E.  Faison,  gave  a 
resume  of  a  year's  hard  and  faithful  work  which  showed  advance 
along  all  lines.  Kealizing  the  needs  of  the  Order,  Brother  Faison 
resigned  his  position  in  his  home  city  and  at  a  loss,  financially, 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  401 

gave  his  entire  time  to  the  duties  of  his  office,  in  the  meantime  assist- 
ing the  editor  of  The  American  in  making  the  "  Official  Organ  -1 
of  the  Order  the  success  it  attained  during  the  year.  Brother 
Smith,  in  his  report,  referring  to  the  very  helpful  assistance  of  the 
National  Councilor,  says: 

"  Bro.  W.  E.  Faison,  our  National  Councilor,  has  personally  super- 
vised the  work,  and  without  his  assistance  I  must  have  failed  many  times. 
He  has  been  patient  with  my  mistakes,  and  has  ever  been  ready  to  aid 
with  wise  counsel  and  good  advice.  I  beg  to  make  public  this  acknowl- 
edgement of  my  indebtedness  to  him." 

The  statistical  report  was  very  gratifying.  As  a  result  of  the 
work  of  Brother  John  E.  Bridgcrs,  the  State  Council  of  Florida 
was  instituted,  February  15,  1905,  by  the  National  Councilor, 
assisted  by  Jr.  P.  N.  C.  Dr.  Cooper  and  Brother  Collins,  there  being 
in  the  state  11  Councils  and  275  members.  Following  this  good 
work  Brother  Bridgers  organized  8  Councils  in  Mississippi,  with  300 
members,  and  a  State  Council  would  have  been  instituted  but  for 
some  misunderstanding  arising  in  reference  to  obtaining  a  license 
from  the  Insurance  Department  of  the  State. 

The  total  number  of  Councils,  as  per  report  of  December  31, 
1901,  was  l,618,a  gain  of  112  ;  number  of  members,  146,658, being  a 
gain  of  15,681.  The  gain  in  22  states  was  16,812  members,  while 
the  loss  in  15  states  was  1,131.  The  financial  increase  was  still 
more  striking.  Receipts  of  Subordinate  Councils  amounted  to 
$1,316,707.35,  a  gain  of  $148,750.78.  Paid  for  Benefits  and  Re- 
lief, $516,340.68,  a  gain  of  $88,503.55.  In  the  treasuries  of  the 
Subordinate  Councils,  $1,603,635.13,  being  a  gain  of  $292,795.38. 
The  receipts  of  the  National  Council  from  all  sources  were 
$74,274.91. 

CHANGE  OF  THE  OBJECTS  OF  THE  ORDER 

In  compliance  with  the  decision  of  Judge  Audenried,  the  reso- 
lution adopted  at  the  last  session  to  amend  the  Constitution  and 
the  Objects  of  the  Order,  was  submitted  to  the  membership  of  the 
Subordinate  Councils.  At  the  same  time  the  Committee  on  Law 
submitted  the  opinion  that  the  resolution  proposing  the  change 
should  also  be  submitted  to  the  State  Councils,  as  per  Article  XVI 
of  the  Constitution.  In  conformity  with  the  above  legal  opinions, 
the  amendment  was  submitted  to  the  State  Councils  as  well  as  the 
Subordinate  Councils  since  the  last  session  with  the  following 
results : 

State  Councils:      In  favor,  60;   against,  6. 

Subordinate   Councils:      For,   8,554;    against,   3,469. 

26 


402  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

The  Committee  to  whom  was  intrusted  the  counting  of  the 
vote,  reported  a  total  vote  in  Subordinate  Councils  of  16,880 ; 
however,  4,857  were  thrown  out  on  account  of  irregularities.  Of 
those  thrown  out,  3,065  were  in  favor  of  the  change  of  Objects  and 
1,792  against.  Six  State  Councils  failed  to  vote  at  all,  while  Ohio 
was  the  only  state  to  vote  against  the  proposed  change.  It  should 
be  understood  that  any  proposition  to  amend  the  Constitution  and 
when  referred  to  the  State  Councils,  that  "  a  majority  of  the  State 
Councils  voting  for  or  against  said  proposed  amendment  or  amend- 
ments slioll  he  counted  the  same  number  of  votes  as  the  State  Coun- 
cil has  National  Boprcsentaiives  in  the  National  Council  for  or 
against  the  same." 

RITUAL 

Tn  conformity  with  the  action  of  the  National  Council  at  St. 
Louis,  a  Special  Committee  was  appointed  by  the  National  Coun- 
cilor to  prepare  a  Funeral  Ceremony  and  a  State  Council  Ritual. 
The  Committee  was  composed  of  the  following  brothers: 

M.  D.  Lichliter,  of  Pennsylvania,        W.  J.  Nesbit,  of  Alabama, 
L.  L.  Hill,  of  Kentucky. 

The  Committee  submitted  a  new  Funeral  Ceremony,  which 
was  approved.  The  following  forms  relative  to  a  State  Council 
Ritual,  etc.,  were  also  submitted  by  same  Committee,  and  the  same 
were  adopted: 

Form  A.  Opening   Ceremonies — State   Council. 
Form  B.  Closing  Ceremonies — State  Council. 
Form  C.  State  Council  Degree. 
Form  D.  Installation  of  S.  C.  Chaplain. 
Form  E.  Rules  of  Order — State  Councils. 

The  Committee  on  Ritual  submitted  to  the  National  Body  the 
following  resolution  which  was  concurred  in: 

"  Be  it  Resolved  by  the  National  Council,  Junior  Order  of  United 
American  Mechanics,  that  the  National  Councilor  be,  and  is  hereby 
authorized  to  appoint  a  Committee  of  three  (3)  members  who  shall 
formulate  a  suitable  Three  (3)  Degree  Ritual,  consisting  of  long  and 
short  form,  to  be  used  by  Subordinate  Councils;  the  conferring  of  the 
long  or  short  form  to  be  at  option  of  the  Subordinate  Councils." 

A  subsequent  resolution  was  presented  asking  for  a  committee 
of  three  to  prepare  or  have  prepared  a  Ritual  of  three  degrees,  with 
the  addition  that  the  committee  be  empowered  to  offer  $500  for 
such  Ritual  as  the  National  Council  would  approve.  The  Committee 
on  Ritual,  however,  disapproved  same,  which  action  was  concurred 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  403 

in  by  the  National  body.     As  per  first  resolution,  the  National 
Councilor  named  the  following  as  the  Special  Committee: 

A.  M.  DeHaven,  of  Pennsylvania,      C.  H.  Wolfes,  of  West  Virginia, 
Geo.  A.  Davis,  of  Maryland. 

FUNERAL    BENEFIT    DEPARTMENT    AND    BENEFICIARY    DEGREE 

The  Funeral  Benefit  Department  had  another  prosperous  year. 
The  membership  increased  from  64,970  to  86,384.  Five  hundred 
and  two  death  claims  had  been  paid  during  the  year  aggregating 
$136,500,  while  the  surplus  fund  increased  from  $10,521.19  to 
$25,101.50. 

The  last  session  having  added  a  new  feature  to  the  Depart- 
ment, Class  "B,"  which  pays  a  death  benefit  of  $500,  the  result 
of  nine  months'  operation  showed  14,094  members;  many  of  these, 
however,  having  been  transferred  from  Class  "  A."  So  great  was 
the  increase  of  the  Department,  that  the  report  showed  a  decrease 
of  expenses  in  its  management,  the  entire  expenses  of  conducting 
the  bureau  amounting  to  4.6  per  cent.,  a  reduction  of  1.8  per  cent, 
from  last  report.  Referring  to  the  causes  of  death,  consumption 
again  had  the  lead,  with  102,  by  accidents,  etc.,  60,  and  pneumonia, 
55.  Typhoid  fever  claimed  40,  while  diseases  of  the  heart  and 
kidneys  claimed  34  and  23  respectively.  The  business  of  the  Bene- 
ficiary Degree  had  so  advanced  that  all  liabilities  had  been  met, 
leaving  a  balance  on  hand  of  $13,735.43. 

NATIONAL    ORPHANS'    HOME 

A  paragraph  in  the  report  of  the  Trustees  of  the  Orphans' 
Home  is  well  worth  noting: 

"  A  year  of  history,  bringing  with  it  many  events  that  have  increased 
our  faith  in  the  wisdom  and  foresight  of  our  noble  Order,  in  establishing 
a  home  for  the  children  of  our  deceased  brothers.  A  year  of  history  that 
demonstrates  more  clearly  and  forcibly  the  sacredness  of  our  obligation 
in  maintaining  this  institution,  and  keeping  it  to  that  high  standard  of 
efficiency,  where  it  will  be  capable  of  ministering  to  our  wards  the  largest 
growth  of  physical,  intellectual  and  spiritual  life  on  the  most  modern 
and  economic  basis." 

During  the  year  additional  room  had  been  added  to  Cottage  No. 
2  to  meet  the  increasing  demands  for  admission  to  the  Home, 
there  being  in  the  institution,  December  1,  1904,  142  children. 

It  is  gratifying  to  note  the  very  careful  business  management 
that  prevailed  in  the  Home,  as  well  as  in  the  work  and  cultivation 
of  the  farm.  During  the  year  the  receipts  from  all  sources  on  the 
farm,  including  garden,  stock,  etc.,  were  $6,778,62,  while  the  total 


404  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

expenses  of  same  were  $2,688.4-1 ;  leaving  a  balance  to  the  credit  of 
the  farm  of  $4,090.91.  The  total  cost  of  maintenance  of  the  Home, 
exclusive  of  salaries,  amounted  to  $10,559.09;  salaries,  $6,061.92, 
a  grand  total  of  $22,621.01. 

IMMIGRATION 

High  ground  was  taken  by  the  National  Body  on  Immigration. 
A  resolution  was  offered  recommending  the  appropriating  of  $600 
to  aid  the  National  Legislative  Committee  in  its  efforts  at  Wash- 
ington to  secure  desirable  legislation.  The  members  from  Ohio 
came  to  the  National  Council  "  loaded  "  on  the  subject,  and  being 
backed  by  their  State  Council,  offered  an  amendment  to  strike  out 
of  the  resolution  $600  and  insert  $5,000.  In  the  discussion  of  the 
question,  Brother  Jesse  Taylor,  of  Ohio,  stirred  the  National  Body 
with  a  "  red  hot "  address,  after  which  the  amendment  was  almost 
unanimously  adopted.  Subsequently,  the  National  Board  of  Offi- 
cers appointed  Brothers  Z.  P.  Smith,  Jesse  Taylor  and  A.  D.  Wilkin 
as  National  Legislative  Committee. 

After  adopting  a  few  statutes  relative  to  the  Funeral  Benefit 
Department  and  Beneficiary  Degree,  and  making  such  changes  in 
the  laws  of  the  organizaton  to  meet  the  conditions  affected  by  the 
change  of  the  meeting  of  the  National  Council  from  Annual  to 
Biennial,  which  action  had  been  concurred  in  by  the  Subordinate 
Councils,  the  National  Council  closed  a  most  harmonious  session 
by  the  installation  of  the  following  officers  for  the  ensuing  two 
years : 

Mational  Councilor — W.  L.  S.  Gilcreast,  of  Massachusetts, 
National  Vice-Councilor — H.  C.  Schaertzer,  of  California, 
National  Treasurer — Charles  Reimer,  of  Baltimore, 
National  Conductor — James  W.  Cheshire,  of  New  York, 
National  Warden. — Hilary  E.  Howse,  of  Tennessee, 
National  Inside  Sentinel — E.  L.  S.  Bouton,  of  Virginia, 
National  Outside  Sentinel — W.  H.  Rollins,  of  Texas, 
National  Chaplain — Rev.    M.    D.    Lichliter,    of    Pennsylvania, 
Board  of  Control   Beneficiary  Degree — Roger  J.  Armstrong,  of  Mis- 
souri, and  E.  R.  Dillingham,  of  Georgia. 


BOSTON,    MASS.,    1907 

For  the  first  time  in  the  history  of  the  Order  the  National 
Council  convened  in  Biennial  Session,  at  Boston,  Mass.,  June  18-20, 
1907,  the  change  of  same  having  been  made  by  the  National  Body 
in  1904  and  was  concurred  in  by  the  majority  of  the  State  Councils 
and  membership.     The  local  committee  at  Boston  arranged  for  the 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  403 

meeting  in  Tremont  Temple  amid  most  historic  surroundings, 
and  with  grace  and  dignity,  National  Councilor  W.  L.  S.  Gilcreast 
presided  over  the  Supreme  Body.  Twenty-one  years  before,  in 
1875,  the  National  Council  held  its  session  in  this  historic  city 
where  the  Cradle  of  Liberty  still  stands  and  where  first  was  sounded 
the  slogan — Liberty — Independence — by  such  men  as  Sam.  Adams, 
Jos.  Warren  and  James  Otis.  At  that  time  but  four  states  were 
represented  in  the  National  Council  with  12  representatives  present, 
while  the  entire  Order  numbered  less  than  10,000.  At  the  session 
of  1907,  32  states  were  represented  with  an  attendance  of  175, 
there  being  nearly  1,900  Councils  and  about  185,000  members,  not- 
withstanding the  revolt  of  1899.  But  two  brothers  who  were  pres- 
ent at  the  session  in  1875  were  present  at  the  session  of  1907,  viz. : 
Past  National  Councilor  John  W.  Calver  and  National  Secretary 
Edward  S.  Deemer. 

No  preliminary  exercises  marked  the  opening  of  the  National 
Council,  but  from  singing,  as  the  brothers  never  sang  so  lustily, 
"  Nearer  my  God  to  Thee,"  to  the  close  when  as  a  farewell  they 
sang  with  equal  pathos,  "  God  be  with  you  till  we  meet  again," 
the  business  was  transacted  and  a  new  administration  was  inducted 
into  office.  What  promised  to  be  a  "  warm "  session  owing  to 
strong  factional  feeling  that  unfortunately  had  been  developed  in 
the  campaign  for  officers,  happily  was  not  realized,  and  with  kindly 
feelings  and  best  of  wishes  the  brethren  left  for  their  homes  to 
keep  up  the  work  in  harmony  with  the  doctrines  of  the  Order. 

The  reports  of  the  National  Officers  were  very  cheering,  espe- 
cially that  of  the  National  Secretary,  the  last  he  was  ever  to  make 
to  the  National  Body,  was  exceedingly  gratifying.  His  records  on 
December  31,  1906,  showed  1,945  Councils  and  177,553  members; 
however,  from  latest  reports,  it  was  stated  that  there  were,  approxi- 
mately, 185,000. 

Financial^,  the  Order  never  was  in  as  prosperous  condition, 
as  the  following  figures  show: 

Receipts  from   Subordinate  Councils,  two  years. $3,190,967.34 

Paid   for    Benefits,    two   years 1,217,762.81 

Amount  in  Treasuries  of  Subordinate  Councils.    1,998,053.37 

Being  an  increase  in  the  latter  for  two  years,  of  $238,855.10 

Amount  received   by   the  National    Council,   two 

years     $136,202.73 

Amount  paid  out  by  the  National   Council,  two 

years     * 126,922.41 

Balance    on    hand $20,929.96 


406  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

THE    NATIONAL   ORPHANS'   HOME 

With  200  children  crowded  into  the  two  cottages  and  the 
demand  for  more  to  be  admitted,  but  no  place  to  put  them  was  one 
of  the  problems  the  Board  of  Trustees  and  the  Superintendent  had 
been  trying  to  solve.  It  was  the  proud  boast  of  President  Mc- 
Donald when  he  stated  in  his  report  that  cramped  and  crowded 
as  were  the  quarters  at  the  Home,  not  a  child  had  been  refused 
admission  who  was  properly  qualified  to  enter.  Yet  it  was  clear 
to  the  Board  and  the  authorities  of  the  Home  that  the  limit  had 
been  reached,  and  unless  the  National  Council  formulated  some  plan 
of  relief,  further  admission  to  the  institution  would  of  necessity 
have  to  be  denied.  With  this  situation  confronting  them  the 
Trustees,  accompanied  by  the  faithful,  Christian  gentleman  who 
superintends  the  Home — Brother  Kernan — came  to  the  National 
Council  with  certain  propositions  having  in  view  the  erection  of 
Cottage  No.  3,  also  other  needed  improvements.  It  goes  without 
saying  that  the  National  Body  entered  heartily  into  the  project 
and  gave  the  Board  such  authority  as  required. 

The  report  of  the  finances  was  as  follows : 

Receipts  for  two  years $53,574.92 

Amount  received  on  Building  Fund    (part  of  this 

laid  aside  from  the  National  Council  Fund)  .       7,061.63 

Received   for   Endowment   Fund 585.78 

Disbursements   for  two  years   for  maintenance...     51,924.60 

National  Councilor  Gilcreast,  in  his  report,  had  this  to  say 
about  the  Home : 

"  I  have  taken  the  pains  during  my  term  of  office  to  visit  our  Home 
for  the  purpose  of  seeing  at  first  hand  what  we  are  doing  there.  I  am 
more  and  more  convinced  that  we  have  a  great  institution  at  Tiffin. 
Ohio,  and  what  is  better,  and  indeed  indispensable,  we  have  found  just 
the  right  man  to  superintend  it.  In  Brother  Kernan  we  have  the  execu- 
tive head,  the  Christian  gentleman  and  the  capable  leader  all  combined, 
and  I  desire  herein  to  express  my  appreciation  of  his  services. 

"  As  I  walked  around  the  well-kept  grounds,  as  I  went  through  the 
Industrial  School  where  our  boys  can  learn  to  be  skilled  mechanics  and 
our  girls  be  taught  the  art  of  needlework,  as  I  looked  in  upon  the  chil- 
dren at  the  mid-day  meal,  with  their  happy,  smiling  faces,  I  felt  proud 
to  belong  to  an  Order  that  has  for  its  fourth  object,  '  To  promote  and 
maintain  a  National  Orphans'  Home.'  There  is  an  absolute  necessity  for 
another  dormitory  for  the  boys,  a  new  water  tank,  new  heating  apparatus 
and  an  assembly  room  are  among  the  other  needs. 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  407 

"  It  will  be  the  duty  of  this  body  at  this  session  to  provide  for  some 
of  these  necessities  so  that  the  Home  may  be  prepared  to  do  properly  the 
work  for  which  it  was  intended.  The  report  of  the  Trusties  will  give 
details,  into  which  I  cannot  enter  here." 

FUNERAL   BENEFIT    DEPARTMENT    AND    BENEFICIARY    DEGREE 

With  the  exception  of  the  National  Orphans'  Home,  no 
grander  feature  could  have  been  introduced  into  the  Order  than 
the  Funeral  Benefit  Department  and  Beneficiary  Degree  that  have 
so  much  to  do  to  relieve  burdened  hearts  and  meet  the  requirements 
of  the  Scriptural  injunction  to  look  after  our  own  families,  for  he 
who  does  not  so  do  is  spoken  of  as  "  worse  than  an  infidel." 

The  report  made  at  this  session  by  the  Secretary-Manager, 
Stephen  Collins,  showed  a  most  remarkable  as  well  as  a  gratifying 
condition  in  both  branches;  nothing  like  it  having  ever  been  seen 
in  the  previous  history  of  the  Department  and  Degree  or  in  any 
similar  organization  carrying  out  the  same  features.  It  is  not 
words,  however,  that  tell  the  story,  but  facts,  and  facts  we  give 
below : 

FUNERAL  BENEFIT  DEPARTMENT 

Receipts  from  Class  "A  "  for  two  years $276,565.57 

Receipts  from  Class  "  B  "  for  two  years 220,503.45 

To  this  should  be  added: 

Fees  both  classes   for  two  years $9,822.45 

Roll  Books    . .  . : 778.50 

Fines    459.90 

Interest    4,061.50 

Refund   and   Miscellaneous 528.60 

Making    a   grand    total    including    amount 

on   hand   May    1,    1905 $537,821.47 

Disbursements : 

Death  claims,  two  years,  Class  "  A,"  959 $239,984.25 

Death  claims,  two  years,  Class  "  B,"   385 192,500.00 

Total    $432,484.25 

For   salaries,   rents,   office   expenses,    fitting   up 

office,  postage,   refunds,   etc $19,157.66 

Balance  on  hand: 

Funeral    Fund    Class    "  A  " $25,201.22 

Funeral    Fund    Class    "  B  " 19,455.68 

Reserve   Fund 41,522.66 

Total    $86,179.56 


408  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

Invested  as  follows : 

Current  Deposits  in  banks  at  2  per  cent $11,554.24 

Time  Deposits  in  banks  at  4  per  cent 17,525.24 

First  Mortgage  in  Real  Estate,  at  6  per  cent.  .  57,100.00 

Being   an   increase   in   Surplus   Funds   for   two 

years    $61,078.06 

Per    cent    of    increase 243.3 

Per    cent   expense   of   total    receipts .  .       3.5 

Membership,  May  1,  1907: 

Class    "A"     82,009 

Class    "B"    40,565 

Total    122,574 

Increase  in  two  years  of 36,581 

The  following  summary  of  membership  with  the  gains  per  year 
is  noteworthy : 

MEMBERS  IN  GOOD  STANDING 

April  30th,  1902 21,152 

April  30th,  1903 44,452  Gain  23,300.. Per  cent..  110. 

April  30th,  1904 64,976  "      20,524..       "          .   46.2 

April  30th,  1905 86,384  "      21,408..       "           .   32.9 

April  30th,  1907 ...  .122,574  "      36,190..      "           .   42. 

THE  CAUSES  OF  DEATH  WERE  AS  FOLLOWS : 

Consumption,  in  various  forms 296 

Killed  by  accident,  wrecks,  etc 195 

Pneumonia     118 

Diseases   of   the   heart 123 

Diseases  of  the  kidneys 93 

Typhoid    fever    124 

Diseases   of   the   brain 37 

Suicide   19 

Meningitis     17 

Cancer    24 

Appendicitis     20 

Peritonitis     23 

Apoplexy     36 

Dropsy    11 

Diabetes    14 

All   other   causes 196 

Total     1,346 

As  noted  in  former  reports,  the  great  "  White  Plague "  of 
America,  Consumption,  led  the.  list  in  mortality,  closely  followed 
by  its  twin  brother,  Pneumonia. 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS 


409 


BENEFICIARY    DEGREE 


Receipts    for    two    years $47,645.39 

Balance   on   hand   May   first,    1905 13,735.43 

Total     $61,380.82 

Disbursements : 

Death    claims     $13,522,75 

Extension    of    Degree 11,718.01 

Officers'    Expenses,    employees,    printing,    post- 
age, etc 9,492.28 

Total     $34,733.04 

Balance   on   hand    $26,647.78 

Net  gain  in  Surplus  Funds  during  two  years.  $12,912.35 

Per  cent,  of  increase  in  Surplus  Fund 94.00 

Number  of  Certificates   in  force   Mav   1, 

1905    \  .  .   885 .  .  $1,135,000.00 

Number  written  during  two  years 2129.  .  2,207,500.00 

Total     3014..  $3,342,500.00 

In     force     April     30,     1907,     deducting 

losses   2663.  .  $2,951,500.00 

Net  gain   in   two   years 1778.  .  1,816,500.00 

Per  cent,  of  net  gain 200 . 

Average  age  of  members  admitted  dur- 
ing two  years    31.48 

Average  certificate   issued   during   two   years..  $1,036.87 

Average  age  of  all  members   35.06 

Average    certificate    in    force $1,108.33 

COMPARATIVE  STATEMENT  OF  BENEFICIARY  DEGREE. 


April  30,  1900 
April  30,  1901 
April  30,  1902 
April  30,  1903 
April  30,  1904 
April  30,  1905 
April  30,  1906 
April  30,  1907 


Disbursements. 


Expense.    Mortuary. 


$3,427.09 
5,265.45 
3, 9S  1.60 
2,627.38 
2,853.21 
3,090.11 
3,669.49 
5,822.79 


8175.00 

875.00 

1,704.75 

1,653.21 
1,197.40 
6,218.50 
7,279.00 


Balance 
on  Haud. 


875.36 
649.99 

2,698.73 
5,389.95 
8,908.83 
13,735.43 
17,233.22 
26,647.78 


Liabilities. 


83,937.11 
3,532.61 

2.:,s;.ss 
2,179.85 
2,179.85 


Certificates 

in  Force. 


309 
127 

415 
479 
745 
885 
1615 
2663 


8363,000 
560,500 

512,000 
587,500 
936,500 

1,135,000 

2,951,500 


410 


HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 


The  following  tabulated  statement  of  the  distribution  of  the 
membership  of  the  Degree  and  the  amount  of  protection,  as  well 
as  a  comparative  statement,  is  equally  noteworthy: 

NUMBER  OF  MEMBERS  AND  AMOUNT  OF  PROTECTION. 


States. 


Pennsylvania 

North  Carolina 

Maryland 

Georgia 

Alabama 

South  Carolina 

Ohio 

Tennessee 

Kentucky  

Virginia 

California 

Texas  

Colorado 

New  York 

Missouri 

Kansas 

District  of  Columbia  . . 

Delaware 

Indian  Territory 

Washington  ..." 

Indiana 

Minnesota 

Florida 

Montana 

Massachusetts 

Maine 

Vermont    , 

Mississippi 

Illinois 

Michigan 

Connecticut 

Arkansas 

West  Virginia 

Idaho 

Wisconsin 


April  30,  1905. 


Members.       Amount. 


85 

44 

113 

124 

17 

67 

45 

55 

13 

51 

46 

26 

7 

15 
2 
1 
14 
8 
8 
7 
8 
15 
4 
2 
4 
2 


$123,000 

114,000 

45,500 

139,500 

155,000 

21,000 

83,000 

56,500 

64,500 

14,500 

78,000 

56,500 

43,000 

9,000 

19  000 

3,000 

500 

17,000 

8,000 

9,500 

6,000 

8,500 

24,000 

10,000 

3,000 

4,500 

3,000 


2,500 
1,500 
2,000 
5,000 
1,000 
1,000 
3,000 


April  30,  1907. 


Gain  or  Loss. 


Members.       Amount.      Members.       Amount 


480 

439 

328 

267 

166 

161 

150 

142 

123 

92 

71 

43 

30 

23 

18 

17 

15 

14 

13 

11 

10 

9 

7 

6 

4 

4 

4 

4 

3 

3 

2 

2 

1 


$556,000 

464,500 

248,500 

319,000 

195,500 

172,500 

172,000 

168,500 

138,000 

87,000 

101,500 

51 .000 

51,000 

24,500 

25,000 

24,000 

19,000 

18,500 

17,500 

14,500 

9,000 

12.500 

12,000 

12,500 

6,000 

4,500 

6,000 

5,000 

2,500 

2,500 

2,000 

2,000 

1,000 


$1,135,000 


2,663 


3,000 


$2,951,500 


Loss 

Net  Gain. 


391 

354 

284 

154 

42 

144 

83 

97 

68 

79 

20 

3 

4 

16 

3 

15 

14 

'5 
3 
3 

1 
8 
2 
2 


1,791 


1,778 


$433,000 

350,500 

203,000 

179,500 

40,500 

151,500 

89,000 

1L2.000 

73,500 

72,500 

26.500 

5,500* 

8,000 

15,500 

6,000 

21,000 

18,500 

1,500 

9,500 

5,000 

3,000 

4,000 

12,000* 

2,500 

3,000 


3,000 
5,000 


1,000 

3,666* 
'  i',666* 


$1,838,000 
21,500 


$1,816,500 


Unless  influenced  by  prejudice  or  other  motives,  no  member 
of  the  Order  can  read  the  above  brief  report  of  these  two  Depart- 
ments of  the  organization  and  not  feel  gratified  with  the  advance 
made  and  the  sound  basis  upon  which  they  are  carried  on.  The 
writer  has  for  years  been  a  close  observer  of  the  work  carried  on 
in  the  office  of  the  Seeretar}r-Manager  and  he  can  state,  speaking 
conservatively,  that  everything  is  conducted  in  a  methodical  and 
business-like  manner,  while  the  slogan  is,  work  and  a  full  day. 

We  might  state  in  this  connection,  that  the  subject  of  Funeral 
Benefits  and  protection  for  the  families  of  the  members  of  the 
Order  was  early  considered  by  the  National  Council.     At  the  ses- 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  411 

sion  of  1879  the  question  was  brought  to  the  attention  of  the  Na- 
tional Council,  whereupon  a  Conrmittee  was  appointed  to  take  the 
matter  into  consideration  and  report  at  the  next  session.  That 
Committee  at  the  session  of  1880  reported  in  favor  of  incorporating 
a  Funeral  Benefit  feature  in  the  organization  and  submitted  a  code 
of  laws  governing  same.  The  recommendation  of  the  Committee 
was  adopted  as  well  as  the  code  of  laws  and  the  subject  was  referred 
to  the  Subordinate  Councils.  The  Committee  to  count  the  vote  of 
the  Councils  reported  at  the  session  of  the  National  Council  in 
1881,  that  on  the  face  of  the  returns  the  proposed  feature  had 
been  defeated  by  a  small  majority,  but  in  their  opinion,  fraud  had 
been  practiced  and  that  the  proposition  had  really  a  majority  of  36. 
Owing  to  the  questionable  procedure  on  the  part  of  a  few  Councils, 
the  proposition  was  again  referred  to  the  Subordinate  Councils 
and  the  report  of  the  Committee  at  the  session  of  1882  showed  that 
it  had  been  defeated  by  a  majority  of  204.  The  defeat  of  this 
proposition  brought  into  existence  the  Junior  American  Mechanics' 
Funeral  Benefit  Association,  an  organization  independent  of  the 
National  Council  or  any  State  Council,  a  voluntary  association  of 
Councils,  and  was  organized  July  1,  1882,  with  G.  Howell  Arthur 
as  President  and  Edw.  S.  Deemer  as  Secretary.  Other  Associations 
similar  in  plan  were  formed,  prominently  that  of  the  Western  Fu- 
neral Benefit  Association,  located  at  St.  Louis,  Mo.  Some  of  the 
State  Councils  formed  associations  of  their  own,  but  with  the  excep- 
tion of  the  two  above  named,  nearly  all  have  been  discontinued. 

The  subject  of  individual  insurance  came  before  the  National 
Council  officers  during  the  year  1897-1898,  by  a  proposition  being 
submitted  to  the  National  Councilor  by  the  Mechanics'  Department 
of  the  National  Life  Association  of  Hartford,  Conn.  This  Asso- 
ciation importuned  National  Councilor  Powell  to  give  his  endorse- 
ment to  the  proposition  in  order  that  insurance  could  be  furnished 
the  members  of  the  Junior  Order.  This  he  refused  to  do,  believing 
it  not  proper  to  turn  the  members  over  to  an  outside  institution 
with  an  official  endorsement,  at  the  same  time  expressing  himself 
that  the  National  Council  should  be  master  of  its  own  affairs.  This 
thought  was  carried  out  in  1899  by  the  adoption  of  Article  12  of 
the  National  Council  Constitution,  which  reads: 

"  The  National  Council  may  by  law,  provide  for  the  insurance  of 
the  members  of  the  Order." 

However,  at  the  Louisville  session  of  the  National  Council,  in 
1898,  a  Committee  was  appointed,  as  per  resolution,  to  investigate 
a  suitable  plan  of  endowment  rank  in  the  Order.     The  Committee 


412  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

composed  of  Dr.  J.  L.  Cooper,  A.  G.  Bainbridge  and  E.  Atmar 
Smith,  took  the  subject  under  consideration,  and  submitted  their 
report  to  the  National  Council  at  Minneapolis,  Minn.,  as  follows : 

"  First.  We  recommend  that  the  National  Council  establish  an 
insurance  branch  in  connection  with  the  Order,  which  shall  be  known  and 
designated  as  the  "  Beneficiary  Degree." 

Second.  We  would  recommend  that  the  Beneficiary  Degree  be  man- 
aged and  controlled  by  the  National  Council,  through  duly  elected  officers 
to  be  known  and  designated  as  the  "  Board  of  Control." 

Third.  We  would  recommend  the  following  laws  creating,  defining 
and  governing  the  Beneficiary  Degree  and  the  Board  of  Control. 

Then  followed  the  code  of  laws  for  the  government  of  said  Bene- 
ficiary Degree.  After  being  considered  in  the  Committee  of  the 
Whole,  the  matter  was  referred  back  to  the  National  Body  without 
amendment  and  adopted.  Subsequently  in  the  session,  a  loan  was 
granted  the  Degree  of  $5,000  to  enable  it  to  begin  business.  The 
Degree,  however,  was  bitterly  opposed  by  a  certain  element  in  the 
National  Council,  they  claiming  that  its  adoption,  being  an  insur- 
ance feature,  was  in  violation  of  the  fundamental  principles  of  the 
Order,  hence  the  Degree  had  a  "  rocky  "  road  to  travel,  and  with 
the  revolt  in  the  organization  when  the  whole  fabric  of  the  Jr. 
0.  U.  A.  M.  was  at  stake,  the  insurance  feature  was  not  looked 
upon  with  favor.  However,  when  certain  amendments  were  made 
in  the  Degree  and  the  Colorado  Charter  under  which  it  was  incor- 
porated was  surrendered  and  the  Degree  being  incorporated  under 
the  laws  of  Pennsylvania,  the  confidence  of  the  Order  was  secured 
and  under  wise  management  the  Degree  has  reached  the  high  plane 
that  we  find  it  at  the  Boston  session,  shown  above. 

Owing  to  the  part  the  officers  of  the  Philadelphia  Funeral 
Benefit  Association  took  in  the  revolt,  every  one  of  them  insurgents 
and  in  every  possible  way  abetting  the  insurrectionists,  the  National 
Council  took  action  on  forming  a  Funeral  Department  of  its  own, 
a  feature  that  had  been  too  long  neglected.  At  the  session  of  the 
National  Body  in  1900,  a  resolution  was  passed  authorizing  the 
Law  Committee  to  report  at  the  next  session  a  Constitution  and 
By-laws  governing  the  proposed  Funeral  Benefit  Department.  At 
the  session  of  1901  the  Committee  on  Law  submitted  a  Constitu- 
tion and  code  of  By-laws  which  were  adopted  and  this  most  excellent 
feature  was  made  a  part  of  the  Order  and  came  under  the  supervis- 
ion of  the  Supreme  Body.  It  is  needless  to  state  that  the  adoption 
of  this  Department  was  a  wise  measure  and  that  no  Funeral  Benefit 
Association  is  on  a  sounder  basis  and  better  managed. 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  413 

THE    NATIONAL    JUDICIARY 

In  the  previous  pages  of  this  volume  some  references  have 
been  made  to  this  feature  of  the  organization  known  as  the  Judi- 
ciary Department  of  the  Order,  the  Court  of  last  resort  in  the 
Order,  which  was  adopted  in  1899  when  the  entire  governmental 
structure  of  the  Jr.  0.  U.  A.  M.  was  changed.  Their  part  in  the 
earlier  years  of  the  revolt  in  the  Order  has  been  noted  as  well  as 
many  of  their  decisions  have  been  given.  However,  it  is  clearly 
■  observant  on  the  part  of  those  who  have  attended  the  National 
Council  that  the  reports  of  the  National  Judiciary  are  never  dis- 
cussed or  even  acted  upon  only  to  place  same  on  record,  their  ac- 
tions being  final,  being  the  Last  Court  of  Appeal  in  the  fraternity. 
"  What  is  written  is  written  "  is  the  superscription  over  the  portals 
of  the  tribunal,  and  to  such  an  extent  is  the  Order  loyal  to  this 
part  of  the  body  politic  that  without  murmur  their  decrees  are 
accepted. 

Following  the  history  of  this  branch  of  the  Order's  government, 
it  is  a  matter  of  note  that  the  men  who  have  served  as  the  Justices 
of  the  Judicial  Court  have  been  above  the  average  of  mental  acumen, 
and  though  not  always  selected  from  the  legal  fraternity,  they  have 
possessed  judicial  cast  of  mind  that  has  enabled  them  clearly  and 
unbiased  to  elucidate  the  matters  brought  before  them,  so  that 
Solomon-like,  they  have  generally  rendered  wise  and  just  opinions 
and  issued  decrees  in  harmony  with  the  spirit  and  intent  of  the 
Order. 

The  decisions  of  the  National  Judiciary  are  generally  on 
appeals  from  the  State  Judiciary  or  on  appeals  from  Councils  and 
members  coming  under  the  immediate  jurisdiction  of  the  National 
Council.  Among  the  opinions  filed  with  the  National  Council  at 
Boston  was  one  relative  to  the  prerogatives  of  the  National  Board 
of  officers. 

In  this  case  the  opinion  was  written  by  Chief  Justice  Hood 
upon  the  appeal  of  the  State  Council  of  Ohio  in  the  form  of  a  com- 
plaint against  the  National  Council  Officers,  alleging  that  the 
National  Board  of  Officers  created  the  office  of  Chief  Counsel  to  the 
National  Council  which  the  plaintiff  claimed  was  unconstitutional. 

The  opinion  of  the  National  Judiciary,  in  substance,  was  that 
the  National  Council  was  a  corporation,  and  under  its  provisions 
when  the  National  Council  is  not  in  session,  its  government  is  vested 
in  the  Board  of  Officers.     They  furthermore  held  it  as  the  opinion 


414  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

of  the  Court  that  the  term  Chief  Counsel  was  not  the  creation  of 
a  new  office  which  the  plaintiff  alleged  was  done  in  violation  of  the 
National  Constitution,  but  that  it  was  rather  an  employment,  and, 
as  with  all  corporations  of  the  land,  that  they  have  a  right  to  employ 
Counsel,  so  the  Board  of  Officers  had  the  same  right  under  the 
corporate  provisions  of  the  National  Council  to  employ  Counsel  to 
have  chief  supervision  over  the  litigation  in  the  Order. 

THE   NATIONAL  LAW   COMMITTEE 

Reference  has  been  made  in  but  few  instances  in  this  volume 
to  the  National  Law  Committee,  a  very  important  branch  of  the 
government  of  the  National  Body,  not  that  the  work  of  the  Com- 
mittee was  unimportant,  but  from  the  fact  that  its  reports  had 
to  do  with  matters  that  were  local  or  otherwise  not  of  so  general 
a  character  that  could  find  a  place  in  the  synopsis  of  the  proceed- 
ings. However  a  fuller  presentation  of  one  of  the  reports  of  this 
Committee  should  be  recorded,  already  alluded  to  on  page  359, 
relative  to  the  most  remarkable  document  ever  submitted  to  the 
National  Council  wherein  the  entire  governmental  structure  of  the 
Order  was  changed  at  Minneapolis  in  1899. 

As  is  well  known  provisions  in  the  old  laws  were  made  where- 
by a  revision  of  the  laws  could  take  place  every  five  years  and  at 
the  Louisville  session  of  the  National  Body  "  Brother  P.  S.  O, 
Collins  moved  to  refer  the  General  Laws,  Constitution  of  the 
National  Council  and  Subordinate  Councils  under  the  jurisdic- 
tion of  the  National  Council  to  the  incoming  Law  Committee 
for  general  revision,  which  was  agreed  to."  As  the  National  Body 
had  approved  National  Councilor  Powell's  recommendation  "  that 
the  executive  and  judicial  branches  of  the  Order  be  separated  and 
that  a  judiciary  be  created,"  it  was  of  great  importance  to  have 
on  the  Law  Committee  competent  men  and  it  was  fortunate  for 
the  Order  that  a  strong  Committee  was  appointed,  consisting  of 
H.  H.  Eddy,  of  Colorado,  Edw.  Canning,  of  Iowa  and  J.  A.  Flint, 
of  Kansas.  Upon  the  Chairman  of  this  Committee,  Brother  Eddy, 
devolved  the  great  task  and  the  National  Constitution  and  General 
Laws  submitted  by  that  Committee  was  substantially  the  work 
of  his  hands.  The  report  to  the  National  Council  at  Minneapolis, 
however,  was  signed  by  but  two  of  the  Committee,  Brothers  Eddy 
and  Flint,  Brother  Canning  having  withdrawn,  and  in  whose 
place  following  the  preparation  of  the  report,  Brother  Houghton 
was  appointed.    The  report  of  the  Committee  was  as  follows: 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  415 

'  To  the  Officers  and  Members  of  the  National  Council, 

"  Jr.  0.  U.  A.  M.,  to  Meet  in  Minneapolis,  Minn.,  June  20,  1899. 

"  In  accordance  with  a  resolution  adopted  by  the  National  Council 
at  its  annual  session  in  Louisville,  Kentucky,  in  1898,  we,  the  undersigned, 
the  Law  Committee  of  the  National  Council,  beg  leave  to  submit  a  revision 
of  the  National  Constitution  and  Laws  of  the  Order.  Excepting  that 
pursuant  to  the  order  of  the  National  Council,  approving  the  recommenda- 
tion of  National  Councilor  Powell,  a  Judicial  Department  is  provided  for, 
we  suggest  no  radical  change  in  the  Organic  Law  of  the  Order  other  than 
such  changes  as  may  be  incidental  to  the  plan  of  revision. 

"  Believing  it  to  be  the  part  of  wisdom,  and  especially  in  view  of 
the  proposed  creation  of  a  Judicial  Department,  we  have  sought  to  clearly 
define  the  functions  of  the  several  departments  of  government  and  to 
weed  out  of  the  Constitution  all  legislation  and  out  of  the  Laws  all 
statement   of   Organic   principle. 

"We  have  labored  under  difficulties  such  as  nre  inherent  in  the 
Constitution  of  a  National  Law  Committee,  but  submit  herewith  the 
result,  under  the  circumstances,  of  our  best  effort. 

"  Without  pride  of  opinion  as  to  any  suggestion  or  recommendation, 
we  seek  in  the  final  result  to  be  attained  the  combined  wisdom  of  the 
National  Council  assembled. 

"  Respectfully, 

"H.  H.  Eddy, 
"J.  A.  Flint, 

"  Law  Committee." 

Relative  to  these  laws  as  submitted,  National  Secretary 
Deemer  had  this  to  say: 

"  OUR  NEW  LAWS. 

"  Under  our  laws  provision  is  made  for  a  thorough  revision  of  our 
laws  every  five  years,  and  this  is  the  time  to  do  it.  Each  and  every 
member  has  received  a  copy,  and  no  matter  what  may  be  the  personal 
opinions  of  the  members,  credit  should  be  given  to  the  committee  that 
they  have  performed  their  duty  faithfully  and  well. 

"  The  propriety  of  this  organization  having  its  laws  fashioned  after 
those  of  our  country  cannot  be  disputed,  while  their  adoption  would  give 
us  a  set  of  laws  superior  to  those  of  any  organization  in  the  country. 
I  bespeak  your  careful   consideration  of  them." 

THE    NATIONAL    LEGISLATIVE    COMMITTEE 

The  report  of  this  Committee,  drawn  up  by  its  Secretary, 
Brother  Jesse  Taylor,  was  exhaustive,  giving  a  resume  of  the  work- 
done  and  the  obstacles  to  surmount  in  obtaining  what  legislation 
they  did  along  the  line  of  restriction  of  immigration.  The  report 
gave  an  epitome  of  the  subject  itself  and  the  relation  of  the 
Jr.  0.  U.  A.  M.  to  this  important  feature  connected  with  the  organ- 
ization.    Never   did   a   Committee   enter   a   campaign   with   more 


416  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

determination  to  secure  remedial  legislation;  and  never  did  the 
Order  and  other  organizations  enter  so  heartily  into  the  project; 
and  never  was  the  time  so  ripe  for  the  enactment  of  wholesome 
immigration  laws;  and  never  were  the  signs  so  portentious;  with  a 
President  favorable,  backed  by  a  sentiment  found  in  the  platform 
of  the  dominant  party;  a  splendid  sentiment  in  the  Senate,  and 
a  good  working  majority  in  the  House,  the  Order  at  large  was  ex- 
ceedingly jubilant,  believing  that  when  the  National  Council  of 
1907  would  meet  in  session  there  would  be  a  law  on  the  statute- 
books  of  the  Nation,  such  as  the  Order  had  been  working  to  obtain 
for  years,  including  an  educational  test.  But  all  these  healthful 
sentiments  and  splendid  chances  of  final  accomplishment  of  the 
Order's  purposes,  were  overthrown  by  the  arbitrary  stand  of  one 
man — the  Honorable  Joseph  Cannon — Speaker  of  the  House  of 
Representatives. 

The  story  of  what  was  done  in  the  way  of  legislation  and  the 
story  of  the  "  power  behind  the  throne  "  that  held  in  check  and 
defeated,  in  a  measure,  the  work  of  the  Jr.  0.  IT.  A.  M.,  has  been 
told  in  the  proper  section.  Suffice  it  to  say  that  the  campaign  was 
waged  by  circulars  and  personal  contact  of  the  Committee  with  men 
and  associations;  and  though  expensive  and  the  work  of  the  Secre- 
tary being  strenuous,  the  results  were  not  commensurate  with  the 
work  and  money  expended,  owing  to  the  reasons  and  causes  recited 
in  another  place.  While  the  Committee  failed  in  securing  the 
immigration  law  desired,  they  did  secure  a  Uniform  Naturalization 
Law,  which  will  be  far-reaching  in  its  effects,  and  will  have  an 
important  bearing  upon  the  politics  of  our  country.  The  Com- 
mittee was  composed  of  Brother  Z.  P.  Smith,  Chairman ;  Jesse 
Taylor,  Sect.,  and  A.  D.  Wilkin,  Esq. 

The  session  was  noted  for  little  legislation  affecting  the  policy 
of  the  organization.  The  splendid  government  under  which  the 
Order  is  working,  seems  perfectly  satisfactory;  and  each  State 
Council  and  Subordinate  Council  have  adjusted  themselves  to  its 
provisions.    Two  features  of  the  session  are  noteworthy: 

1.  The  presence  of  so  many  of  what  was  known  as  the  "  Old 
Guard  "  who,  in  the  time  of  the  Order's  peril,  stood  valiantly  in  the 
van.  Past  National  Councilors  Robert  Ogle,  of  Maryland,  and  P. 
A.  Shanor,  of  Pennsylvania,  were  everywhere  present,  keeping  in 
touch  with  the  business  and  work  of  the  National  Council. 

2.  Another  feature  noticeable  was  the  introduction  upon  the 
floor  of  the  National  Council  of  a  new  set  of  men,  some  of  them 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  417 

of  marked  ability,  who  took  prominent  part  in  the  proceedings. 
Of  those  who  were  frequently  heard,  and  heard  with  pleasure,  were 
Eev.  R.  D.  Harding,  Jr.  Past  State  Councilor  of  Kentucky,  and 
National  Representative;  Rev.  James  Miller,  Jr.  Past  State  Coun- 
cilor of  Ohio,  and  also  a  Representative,  and  Judge  Dumont  of 
Kentucky — a  fighter,  every  inch  of  him.  Brother  Dumont  dis- 
played controversial  powers  of  a  high  character,  and  though  on  some 
questions  we  did  not  agree  with  him,  yet  we  are  glad  to  say  that 
when  the  session  was  closed,  he  had  the  respect  and  esteem  of  the 
brethren,  who  admire  a  man  who  has  opinions  of  his  own  and  is  not 
afraid  to  express  them. 

The  National  Council,  by  its  own  action,  placed  its  official 
stamp  upon  the  History  of  the  Order  prepared  by  the  writer,  by 
passing  a  resolution  of  endorsement,  and  that  it  be  made  the  official 
History  of  the  Order  for  ten  years  if  in  the  opinion  of  the  Board 
of  Officers  the  manuscript  was  acceptable.  The  Board  of  Officers 
subsequently  carried  out  the  purpose  of  the  National  Council, 
accepted  the  proposals  of  the  publisher  and  the  Order  has  now 
the  results  of  these  actions  in  its  possession. 

Something  out  of  the  ordinary  took  place  at  his  session  that 
never  occurred  during  the  previous  history  of  the  National  Council, 
and  it  is  safe  to  say  that  never  again  will  take  place,  surrounded 
with  the  same  peculiar  features :  We  refer  to  the  voluntary  retire- 
ment of  National  Secretary  Edward  S.  Deemer,  after  thirty-eight 
years'  consecutive  service  in  that  important  office,  the  first  and  only 
National  Secretary  since  the  institution  of  the  National  Council; 
and  taking  into  consideration  his  filling  the  office  of  State  Secretary 
of  Pennsylvania  from  1860  to  1869,  the  date  of  the  institution  of 
the  National  Council,  made  him  practically  the  National  Secretary 
for  about  forty-eight  years.  Forecasting  the  event,  as  the  National 
Council  had  two  years  previous  received  his  statement,  the  body 
decided  to  tender  him  a  token  of  esteem,  which  consisted  of  a  gold 
watch  and  charm  studded  with  precious  stones ;  also  an  appropriate 
remembrance  was  provided  for  Mrs.  Deemer,  who,  through  so  many 
years  had  encouraged  her  husband  in  his  patriotic  work.  It  nat- 
urally fell  to  the  lot  of  Past  National  Representative  Alex.  M. 
DeHaven,  Esq.,  of  Philadelphia,  to  represent  the  National  Body, 
as  well  as  the  Order,  in  presenting  to  his  close  and  dear  friend 
the  tokens  of  affection ;  and  well  and  magnificently  he  did  it.  And 
the  applause  that  followed  never  before  was  heard  in  Session  of 
the  National  Council.  Lack  of  space  will  only  allow  excerpts  from 
the  address.  After  a  few  prefatory  remarks  Brother  DeHaven  said  : 
27 


418  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

"  Our  Secretary  possesses  a  unique  position,  the  like  of  which  our 
Order  may  never  again  enjoy.  For  forty-eight  long,  unbroken  years 
he  has  maintained  the  same  position,  and  in  his  retirement  from  it  at 
the  close  of  this  day  he  will  leave  behind  him  a  matchless  record  for 
the  emulation  of  those  who  follow  in  that  great  office.  More  than  two 
millions  of  dollars  have  passed  through  his  custody  and  control,  and 
it  is  one  of  the  bright  jewels  in  his  crown  of  service  that  not  so  much  as 
a  single  penny  remains  unaccounted  for,  and  his  books  will  close  with  a 
balance  sheet  without  an  erasure  or  a  single  flaw.  .  .  . 

"  When  the  history  of  our  Order  shall  become  a  recorded  fact,  no 
more  prominent  name  will  emblazon  its  pages  than  that  of  our  matchless 
Secretary.  No  matter  upon  what  seas  our  Order  has  sailed,  whether  the 
winds  blew  hard  and  the  lightning  flashed  and  the  thunder  rolled, 
Deemer  was  ever  the  same.  Sunshine  and  storm  made  no  change,  and 
the  fiercest  gales  found  him  standing  like  a  Gibraltar  in  the  pathway 
of  the  great  ocean  of  right.  .  .  . 

"  The  position  of  Secretary  of  so  great  an  Order  as  this  is  not  an 
easy  one.  The  mere  forms  of  book-keeping,  extensive  correspondence  or 
accuracy  of  detail  is  but  a  portion  of  the  work  required  of  him.  He  must 
be  the  strong  arm  in  any  administration  of  which  he  forms  a  part. 
What  would  Washington  have  been  without  the  guiding  intellect  of  '  the 
uncrowned  king  of  American  liberty,'  Alexander  Hamilton?  What  would 
the  immortal  Lincoln  have  achieved  had  the  sound  wisdom,  learning  and 
discretion  of  William  H.  Seward  been  absent  from  his  side?  What  would 
the  lamented  Garfield  have  been  had  not  the  political  wisdom  of  James 
G.  Blaine  stood  out  in  bold  relief  to  mark  the  epoch  of  that  administra- 
tion? Where  would  have  stood  William  McKinley  had  not  the  safe, 
guiding  hand  of  John  Hay  been  ever  ready  to  help?  What  all  these 
great  Secretaries  have  been  to  the  personages  I  have  referred  to,  Deemer 
has  been  to  the  administrations  of  our  Order.  .  .  . 

"  Around  us  to-day  are  seated  representatives  from  nearly  every 
State  in  our  Union,  and  most  of  the  States  claim  some  great  historical 
spot  to  which  we  make  pilgrimage  and  to  which  our  people  ever  pay 
homage.  Primarily,  of  course,  comes  the  Keystone  State,  and  Pennsyl- 
vania points  with  pardonable  pride  towards  its  Independence  Hall,  Valley 
Forge,  and  kindred  places,  while  you  from  the  Old  Dominion  have  your 
heart-strings  throb  when  Mt.  Vernon  comes  into  view;  and  you  of 
Tennessee  find  The  Hermitage  of  Old  Hickory  one  of  the  great  beacon 
lights  of  your  fair  State;  and  you  from  the  far-off  Western  coast — 
California — where  the  sun  sinks  each  day  and  kisses  the  furthermost 
shore  of  our  country  '  good-night,'  have  with  you  all  the  memories  of 
the  Presidio  and  the  Golden  Gate;  and  you  from  the  Lone  Star  State 
of  Texas  swell  up  with  natural  pride  when  the  achievements  of  the 
Alamo  are  remembered;  and  you  from  this  old  Bay  State  challenge  our 
admiration  and  respect  when  yonder  Bunker  Hill,  with  all  its  wealth 
of  historic  memory,  transports  our  gaze.  And,  so  I  say  that  were  not 
the  law  of  our  Order  such  that  no  Council  shall  be  permitted  to  choose 
a  name  after  any  living  being,  I  am  satisfied  that  every  State,  even  in 
addition  to  those  I  have  hastily  referred  to,  would  in  friendly  rivalry 
engage  for  the  first  honor  to  bear  the  name  of  '  Deemer  Council '  and  I  am 
satisfied  that  when  the  Great  Summons  shall  come,  though  he  is  now  reach- 
ing the  patriarch's  age  of  three-score  and  ten,  and  when  he  '  shall  draw  the 


UNITED  AMERICAN   MECHANICS  419 

draperies  of  his  couch  about  him  and  lie  down  to  pleasant  dreams."  all 
the  states  will  hasten  to  name  a  '  Deomer  Council,'  but  I  trust  in  Hie 
sight  of  the  Creator  of  all  things  of  wisdom,  that  such  an  event  as  his 
'taking  off'  is  yet  in  the  far,  far  distant  future,  and  that  he,  though 
his  head  be  tinged  with  the  evening  of  life  and  the  eye  still  bright  like 
the  promise  of  morning  may  still  be  numbered  among  us: 

'  Each  for  the  joy  of  working  and  each  in  his  separate  star, 
Shall  draw  the  thing  as  he  sees  it,  for  the  God  of  things  as  they  are.' 

"The  watch,  chain  and  charm  now  studded  with  the  most  precious 
stones  are  but  the  tokens  of  this  session  to  our  National  Secretary,  and 
while  200  members  sit  here  for  action,  I  am  sure  your  expression  is  but 
re-echoing  those  of  190,000  devoted  followers.  If  all  the  funds  in  our 
treasury  were  to  have  been  voted  toward  the  purchase  of  these  tokens, 
and  the  greatest  rivalry  had  existed  for  that  honor,  it  could  not  be 
more  appreciated  than  is  the  sentiment  that  now  goes  out  to  him  from 
every  heart  in  every  home  of  every  member  of  this  great  Order.  While 
the  book  of  his  official  life  is  now  closed  and  bound  down  with  the  clasp 
of  purest  love  and  studded  with  the  richest  jewels  of  affection,  his  life 
and  record  are  indelibly  inscribed  in  the  memories  of  those  who  have 
followed  him  in  the  great  fight  of  spreading  the  cardinal  principles  of 
our  fraternity,  and  the  memory  of  them  is  his  noblest  monument." 

The  National  Council  was  in  an  appreciative  humor  at  this 
session.  Brother  Bert  Adams,  of  Tennessee,  on  behalf  of  the  repre- 
sentatives, in  a  pleasing  speech  presented  Past  State  Councilor 
Brother  A.  H.  Andrews,  Chairman  of  the  Entertainment  Commit- 
tee, who  was  in  fact  the  whole  committee,  and  his  wife  with  a  hand- 
some cut-glass  service,  which  was  a  beautiful  act.  But  the 
"  bouquets  "  were  not  yet  exhausted.  Again  the  irrepressible  Adams 
gained  the  floor  and  in  a  humorous  speech,  presented  Judge  Dumont 
with  a  toy.  The  great  heart  of  the  Judge  was  quick  to  see  and 
appreciate  the  humor  of  it,  and  in  response  Brother  Dumont  made 
one  of  the  most  remarkable  off-hand  speeches  that  has  been  the 
privilege  of  the  writer  to  listen  to,  which  sparkled  with  gems  of 
wisdom  and  wit  of  a  high  standard. 

While  the  present  rate  seemed  safe,  yet  from  experience  of 
other  insurance  agencies  of  like  import,  it  was  considered  a  wise 
policy  to  make  certain  important  changes  in  the  Beneficiary  Degree 
of  the  Order.  After  a  long  and  thorough  presentation  of  the 
changes  proposed,  the  National  Council  unanimously  adopted  the 
schedule  of  rates  as  proposed  by  Manager  Collins,  who  had  given 
the  subject  careful  study. 

The  report  of  the  Ritual  Committee  brought  no  new  Ritual  as 
all  anticipated,  since  the  National  Council  at  Nashville  had  given 
the  Committee  no  authority  to  even  promise  compensation  for  the 


420  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

preparation  of  a  long-felt  ritualistic  service.  The  National  Coun- 
cil took  a  wonderful  leap — never  known  to  be  so  generous  in  its 
history  so  far  as  a  Eitual  is  concerned — and  authorized  a  new  com- 
mittee to  be  appointed,  and  that  the  sum  of  $2,000  be  offered  for  a 
new  Eitual. 

The  National  Council  closed  with  the  installation  of  the  fol- 
lowing officers : 

National  Councilor — Henry   C.   Schaertzer,   of   California, 
National  Vice-Councilor — H.   L.  W.   Taylor,  of  Tennessee, 
National  Secretary — Martin  M.  Woods,  of  Massachusetts, 
National  Treasurer — Charles  Reimer,  of  Maryland, 
National  Conductor — Wilbur  F.  Cannon,  of  Colorado, 
National  Warden — James  E.  Winterton,  of  Missouri, 
National  Inside  Sentinel — E.  H.  Heaton,  of  Virginia, 
National  Outside  Sentinel — W.  E.  Giddings,  of  Vermont, 
National  Chaplain — Rev.  M.  D.  Lichliter,  of  Pennsylvania, 
Board  of  Control — Walter  L.  Humphrey,  of  Alabama. 

Much  has  been  said  about  expenses  and  high  per  capita  tax 
in  the  National  Body.  The  Finance  Committee  at  Minneapolis 
recommended  15  cents  per  capita  tax  based  on  a  membership  of 
183,508,  which  would  have  brought  into  the  treasury  $27,000.  At 
the  session  of  1900  the  Finance  Committee  reported  receipts  from 
per  capita  tax  of  $10,337,  as  against  $26,776  the  previous  year. 
This  loss  was  owing  to  the  defection  in  the  ranks;  hence  it  was 
necessary  to  levy  a  per  capita  tax  for  general  purposes  of  30  cents, 
and  at  same  time  to  avoid  excessive  taxation  to  meet  the  expenses 
of  litigation,  a  loan  was  negotiated  for  $12,000,  the  Funeral  Bene- 
fit Department  and  Beneficiary  Degree  purchasing  certificates  to 
the  amount  of  $7,000.  The  wisdom  of  this  policy  is  seen  from  the 
fact  that  at  Boston  in  1907  the  National  Council  had  over  $20,000 
in  the  treasury  which  admitted  a  reduction  of  the  per  capita  tax  to 
eighteen  cents. 


IV.     HISTORY  OF  STATE  COUNCILS 

CHAPTER   XXVI 

i.     SYNOPSIS    OF    PROCEEDINGS   OF 
STATE    COUNCILS 

IN  outlining  the  plan  of  this  History,  it  was  our  purpose  to  give 
a  section  to  State  Councils,  under  which  head  to  present  a 
brief  synopsis  of  each  so  far  as  space  would  permit  without  making 
the  volume  too  bulky.  In  this  synopsis,  we  have  aimed  to  give  the 
time  of  the  introduction  of  the  Order  into  each  state  and  the  cir- 
cumstances surrounding  the  same,  as  well  as  a  full  record  of  the 
institution  of  the  State  Council,  giving  a  list  of  its  first  officers, 
etc.  Then  in  following  out  this  idea,  we  have  given  the  time  and 
place  of  each  succeeding  session  of  the  State  Body,  naming  the  four 
principal  officers  elected  and  incorporating  a  brief  resume  of  the 
standing  of  the  Order  in  the  state,  recounting  the  struggles  or  suc- 
cesses of  same,  and  all  such  other  facts  or  special  items  of  business, 
resolutions,  statutes,  etc.,  that  may  be  of  general  interest  to  the 
organization  at  large. 

To  enable  us  to  carry  out  this  purpose,  we  sent  a  communica- 
tion to  all  State  Council  Secretaries,  requesting  the  loan  of  the 
Proceedings  of  the  State  Council  in  order  to  obtain  the  data  for 
such  history.  The  majority  of  the  State  Council  Secretaries  heart- 
ily endorsed  this  feature  of  the  work  and  very  willingly  aided  the 
compiler,  either  by  expressing  or  mailing  the  records  desired. 
Others  whose  State  Councils  did  not  print  the  Proceedings,  and  the 
Journals  being  bulky,  very  kindly  prepared  a  synopsis  of  the  State 
Council  records,  which,  while  not  as  full  and  complete  as  each  would 
have  been  had  we  had  the  opportunity  of  "  culling "  therefrom, 
showed  how  eager  some  of  the  Secretaries  were  in  assisting  us  in 
carrying  forward  this  part  of  the  work.  From  these  records  and 
facts  obtained  from  other  sources,  we  have  endeavored  to  carry 
out  our  original  intention  by  giving  a  brief  resume  of  each  State 
Council.  While  the  synopsis  of  the  various  State  Councils  is  not, 
by  any  means,  full  in  any  case,  we  have  aimed  to  give  the  "  gist " 
of  each  without  enlarging  too  greatly  the  scope  of  the  publication. 

It  is  with  regret,  however,  that  we  have  not  been  able  to  obtain 
the  data  from  all  State  Councils,  notwithstanding  the  communica- 
tion, above  referred  to,  was  sent  to  each  State  Council  Secretary. 

421 


422  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

ALABAMA 

We  learn  from  Deemer's  History,  that  as  early  as  1889  the 
Jr.  0.  U.  A.  M.  was  introduced  into  the  State  of  Alabama  by  Past 
State  Councilor  Orange  in  the  institution  of  Avondale  Council, 
No.  1 ;  but  owing  to  being  isolated  the  Council  was  but  short-lived. 
No  further  attempt  was  made  until  1894,  when,  on  February  22, 
Washington  Council,  No.  1,  was  instituted  by  Past  State  Councilor 
Thos.  B.  Ivey,  of  Virginia.  This  Council  stood  alone  until  October, 
1895,  when  Richmond  Council,  No.  2,  was  instituted  by  State 
Organizer  Frank  Rea,  which  was  followed  in  April,  1896,  by 
Winona,  No.  3,  instituted  by  L.  S.  McMillan,  Deputy  National 
Councilor,  who  also  instituted  Luverne,  No.  4,  with  23  applicants, 
April  7,  same  year. 

By  direction  of  the  National  Board  of  Officers,  National  Or- 
ganizer F.  C.  Borden  was  sent  into  the  state  in  1897,  who  organized 
and  instituted  the  following  Councils :  Mobile,  No.  5,  with  21  appli- 
cants, May  10;  Birmingham,  No.  4,  presumably  taking  the  number 
of  Luverne  which  must  have  become  defunct,  with  20  applicants 
June  4 ;  Monte  Sano,  No.  6,  with  30  applicants,  June  8 ;  and  R.  E. 
Lee,  No.  7,  with  20  applicants,  June  9,  1897.  On  June  10,  1897, 
Brother  Borden  met  the  delegates  from  the  various  Councils  at 
Huntsville  and  proceeded  to  institute  the  State  Council  of  Ala- 
bama in  regular  form. 

Without  State  Council  data,  gleaming  our  information  from 
the  meagre  account  given  in  the  National  Council  Proceedings,  we 
learn  that  R.  M.  Fletcher,  Jr.,  was  the  first  State  Councilor  and 
G.  T.  Miller  the  first  State  Council  Secretary.  Judging  from 
Brother  Borden's  report  to  the  National  Council,  he  must  have 
met  with  considerable  discouragement  in  his  efforts  to  plant  Junior- 
ism  in  the  state.  At  two  places  where  he,  with  others,  had  secured 
a  sufficient  charter  list  and  the  time  had  been  arranged  for  the 
institution  of  the  Councils,  influences  had  been  brought  to  bear 
upon  the  applicants  by  members  of  other  organizations,  through 
jealousy  and  selfishness,  to  such  an  extent  that  the  larger  portion 
of  applicants  remained  away,  and  the  Councils  could  not  be 
instituted. 

The  first  National  Representatives  elected  were:  G.  T.  Miller, 
J.  W.  Tyler,  J.  C.  Stoner,  H.  F.  Roberts  and  William  Mitchell. 
With  the  exception  of  J.  W.  Tyler,  a  full  delegation  attended  the 
National  Council  at  Louisville,  Kentucky,  in  1898. 

Counting  the  institution  of  the  State  Council  the  first  session, 
the  Second  Annual  Session  was  held  on  the  second  Thursdav  of 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  423 

June,  1898,  at  which  session  J.  W.  Tyler  was  elected  State  Coun- 
cilor and  J.  C.  Stoner  State  Vice-Councilor.  The  standing  of  the 
Order  for  the  year  ending  December  31,  1897,  was  as  follows: 

Number    of    Councils 6 

Number   of   Members 251 

It  is  worthy  of  note,  that  Past  State  Councilor  R.  M.  Fletcher 
enlisted  at  the  call  of  the  President  to  enter  the  American  Army  in 
the  Spanish-American  War,  and  served  with  distinction  as  Regi- 
mental Surgeon.  R.  L.  Hay,  National  Representative,  also  went 
to  the  front  as  Captain. 

The  session  of  1899  was  held  at  Huntsville,  in  the  month  of 
June,  and  was  presided  over  by  State  Councilor  Tyler.  The  elec- 
tion of  officers  resulted  as  follows: 

State  Councilor — J.  C.  Stoner, 
State  Vice-Councilor— J.  F.  Woodliff, 
State  Council  Secretary — G.  T.  Miller. 

Walter  L.  Humphrey  was  elected  National  Representative,  who 
is  very  favorably  known  to  many  in  the  National  Council. 

The  Order  grew,  but  very  slowly,  gaining  from  20  to  50  in 
membership  the  first  few  years.  The  report  of  the  National  Secre- 
tary ending  December  31,  1898,  gave  to  the  state  10  Councils  and 
323  members. 

On  June  14,  1900,  the  Fourth  Annual  Session  convened  at 
Gadsden,  with  State  Councilor  J.  C.  Stoner  in  the  Chair.  J.  F. 
Woodliff  was  elected  State  Councilor;  A.  H.  Lewis,  State  Vice- 
Councilor;  Walter  L.  Humphrey,  State  Council  Secretary,  and 
Win.  Mitchell  State  Council  Treasurer. 


In  1901,  April  9,  the  State  Body  met  at  Madison,  State  Coun- 
cilor Woodliff  presiding.  The  officers  chosen  for  the  ensuing  year 
were  the  following: 

State  Councilor — A.  H.  Lewis, 
State  Vice-Councilor — L.   D.   Browne, 
State  Council  Secretary — W.  L.  Humphrey, 
State  Council  Treasurer — Wm.  Mitchell. 

The  gain  for  the  year  in  membership  was  105,  making  a  total  of  428. 


The  Sixth  Annual  Session  of  the  State  Council  convened  at 
the  City  of  Mobile,  April  8,  1902,  State  Councilor  Lewis  presiding. 


424  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

L.  D.  Browne  was  elected  State  Councilor  and  W.  J.  Nesbit  State 
Vice-Councilor,  Brothers  Humphrey  and  Mitchell  reelected  Secre- 
tary and  Treasurer  of  the  body. 


On  the  21st  of  May,  1903,  Birmingham  entertained  the  State 
Council  with  State  Councilor  Browne  presiding. 

The  number  of  Councils  were  increased  from  11  to  17,  while 
the  membership  advanced  from  690  to  982.  W.  J.  Nesbit  was  pro- 
moted to  the  Chair  of  State  Councilor  and  F.  F.  Conway  was 
selected  for  State  Vice- Councilor. 


In  1904,  the  home  town  of  the  State  Councilor,  W.  J.  Nesbit, 
entertained  the  State  Body,  April  22  and  23.  Brother  Conway  was 
elected  State  Councilor  and  S.  Y.  Locke  State  Vice-Councilor. 
There  was  no  change  in  either  the  State  Council  Secretary  or 
Treasurer.  W.  J.  Nesbit  and  W.  L.  Humphrey  were  chosen  to  rep- 
resent the  State  Council  in  the  National  Body,  the  session  of  1904 
being  held  at  St.  Louis,  at  which  time  Brother  Humphrey  was 
elected  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Control  Beneficiary  Degree,  and 
subsequently,  by  appointment  of  the  National  Councilor,  Brother 
Nesbit  was  named  one  of  a  Special  Committee  to  formulate  a 
State  Council  Eitual. 

The  report  submitted  at  this  session  by  the  Secretary  must 
have  been  gratifying,  there  being  22  Councils,  a  gain  of  5,  and 
1,411  members,  a  gain  of  429. 


Huntsville  opened  its  doors  to  the  Ninth  Annual  Session  of 
the  State  Council  in  1905,  F.  F.  Conway,  State  Councilor,  in  the 
Chair. 

While  there  was  a  gain  of  one  Council,  there  was  on  the  other 
hand  a  loss  of  60  in  membership.  The  standing  of  the  Order  in 
the  state  was  as  follows: 

Number   of   Councils 23 

Number  of  Members 1351 

Receipts   of   Subordinate   Councils $10,257.23 

Paid  for  Relief 2,740.25 

Worth  of  Councils 3,666.03 

The  following  officers  were  elected: 
State  Councilor — S.  Y.  Locke, 
State  Vice-Councilor — W.  F.  McCartney, 
State  Council  Secretary — W.  L.  Humphrey, 
State  Council  Treasurer — Wm.  Mitchell. 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  425 

The  State  Council  of  Alabama,  though  less  than  a  decade  in 
existence,  gives  fair  promise  of  forging  to  the  front  and  keeping 
pace  with  sister  states  of  the  Southland.  Those  who  have  been 
and  are  still  in  the  van  of  the  patriotic  hosts,  are  not  so  numerous 
as  in  the  older  states,  yet  where  they  lack  in  numbers  they  make 
up  in  the  intensity  of  their  purpose  to  build  up  the  Order  in  their 
dear  old  state.  With  brothers  like  F.  F.  Conway,  W.  L.  Humphrey, 
W.  J.  Nesbit,  L.  S.  McMillan,  J.  C.  Stoner,  and  those  holding  the 
elective  offices  (1905),  Locke,  McCartney  and  Mitchell,  the  Na- 
tional Council  may  expect  within  the  next  decade  to  hear  of  great 
things  being  done  in  Alabama. 


ARKANSAS 


National  Organizer  F.  C.  Borden  introduced  the  Order  into 
the  State  of  Arkansas,  by  the  institution  of  Fort  Smith  Council, 
No.  1,  at  Fort  Smith,  December  21,  1896.  This  was  followed  by 
the  institution  of  Little  Rock,  No.  2,  at  Little  Eock,  January  8, 
1897,  with  21  applicants  and  Hot  Springs  Council,  No.  3,  at  Hot 
Springs,  March  19,  1897,  with  27  charter  members,  both  being 
instituted  by  National  Organizer  Borden.  Finding  much  opposi- 
tion to  the  Order,  the  people  thinking  the  organization  but  a 
"  political  scheme/'  Brother  Borden  withdrew  from  the  state  and 
gave  his  attention  to  other  fields  of  labor. 

Special  Organizer  R.  F.  Hamilton,  of  Indian  Territory,  was 
sent  into  the  state  early  in  the  year  1898,  and  on  March  28,  he 
instituted  Huntington,  No.  4,  at  Huntington,  with  27  applicants, 
which  was  followed  by  Jenny  Lind,  No.  5,  with  42  charter  members 
on  April  21,  and  Bonanza,  No.  6,  on  April  27,  with  24  applicants, 
both  instituted  by  Brother  Hamilton.  Returning  to  the  state 
early  in  1899,  Brother  Hamilton  instituted  the  State  Council  of 
Arkansas  on  February  19,  1899,  and  installed  the  following 
officers : 

Jr.  Past  State  Councilor — J.  L.  Harris, 

State  Councilor — J.  A.  Finney, 

State   Vice-Councilor — A.    F.    Booth, 

State  Council  Secretary — A.  J.  Burk. 

W.  A.  Kelly,  C.  P.  Ordway,  I.  S.  Ray,  W.  S.  Hill  and  J.  H. 
Binforf  were  named  for  National  Representatives. 

Those  who  have  sat  in  the  State  Councilor's  Chair  since  the 
institution  of  the  State  Council  up  to  1905-1906  are  as  follows: 

J.  L.  Harris,  Prof.  J.  B.  Williamson,  M.  B.  Legate,  J.  C. 
Williamson,  W.  R.  Booth,  R.  C.  Maxwell  and  Plymouth  Forbes. 


426  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

Among  the  active  spirits  in  Arkansas  Juniorism  might  be 
named:  J.  C.  Williamson,  J.  B.  Williamson,  A.  J.  Burk,  W.  A. 
Kelly,  W.  F.  Forbes,  Plymouth  Forbes,  J.  A.  Finney,  J.  L.  Harris, 
and  R.  C.  Maxwell. 

Without  the  aid  of  State  Council  records,  the  above  brief  facts 
are  all  we  have  been  able  to  gather.  The  Order  in  Arkansas,  how- 
ever, has  not  made  much  advance,  and  at  no  time  since  the  institu- 
tion of  the  State  Council  has  the  membership  reached  400.  Ac- 
cording to  the  report  ending  December  31,  1904,  the  following  is 
the  standing  of  the  Order  in  the  state : 

Number  of  Councils   10 

Number  of  Members    273 

Received  by  Subordinate  Councils   $2102.42 

Paid  for  Relief 1001.12 


CALIFORNIA 

The  "  Golden  "  or  "  Sunset  State  "  heard  the  tramp,  tramp, 
tramp  of  the  Junior  "  boys "  years  ago  and  cordially  welcomed 
the  young  American  Order  early  in  the  80's,  by  members  of  the 
Order  from  the  East  who  had  migrated  to  the  land  of  sunshine 
and  flowers. 

The  first  mention  of  the  state  in  the  records  of  the  Order  is 
in  1884,  when,  in  his  report  to  the  Natonal  Councl,  the  National 
Councilor  stated  that  he  had  appointed  Brother  E.  C.  Douglass, 
D.  N.  C.  of  California.  In  the  meantime  members  from  the  East 
in  San  Francisco  and  Los  Angeles  were  seeking  information  and 
sowing  the  seed-truths  of  patriotism,  and  thus  were  preparing  the 
way  for  the  harvest.  It  was  not  until  1888,  however,  that,  in  the 
language  of  N.  C.  Geo.  W.  Elbert,  it  could  be  said,  "  To-day  our 
Order  is  planted  from  Plymouth  Rock  to  the  Golden  Shores  of  the 
Pacific,"  etc.,  as  on  May  1,  1888,  a  charter  had  been  granted 
Manzanita  Council,  No.  1,  located  at  Petaluma,  California,  with 
24  applicants.  Brother  W.  H.  Van  Marter,  of  Goodwill  Council, 
N.  J.,  organized  the  Council,  and  on  May  10  National  Councilor 
Elbert  had  the  honor  of  instituting  the  same  and  giving  it  a  New 
Jersey  blessing.     In  speaking  of  the  Council,  he  says : 

"  The  members  of  this  Council  are  among  the  most  active  and  earnest 
Juniors  it  has  been  my  pleasure  to  meet." 

The  members  of  the  new  Council,  scarcely  a  month  old,  felt 
somewhat  important,  in  fact  they  had  the  right  to  be,  as  they  were 
the  pioneers  of  the  Pacific  Coast,  as  in  the  largeness  of  their  hearts 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  427 

they  sent  an  invitation  to  have  the  National  Council  hold  its  next 
annual  session  in  their  city.  Manzanita  Council  stood  alone  until 
1890,  when  California  Council,  No.  2,  was  instituted  in  San  Fran- 
cisco, which  was  followed  by  Pixley  Council,  No.  3,  at  Pixley. 
However,  in  1891,  California's  first  Councils  failed  to  report  and 
became  defunct.  Several  efforts  were  made,  first  by  Brother  Col- 
lins, then  by  the  California  brethren,  to  reorganize  the  Councils, 
but  after  "much  valuable  time  was  spent"  the  task  was  given  up. 

THE  STATE  COUNCIL  OF  CALIFORNIA 

On  February  9th,  1893  Brother  Stephen  Collins  instituted 
Pacific  Council  No.  1  at  San  Luis  Obispo  with  21  applicants. 
Brother  Collins  was  due  to  attend  the  State  Council  session  of 
Washington,  February  22,  and  only  had  time  to  look  over  the 
ground  in  San  Francisco.  Eeturning  January  20,  1894  he  took 
up  the  work  and  by  the  29th  of  the  month  had  instituted  Abraham 
Lincoln  Council,  No.  2  at  San  Francisco;  February  5,  Wash- 
ington Council  No.  3  at  Santa  Barbara;  February  9,  John  C. 
Fremont  Council  No.  4  -at  San  Bernardino ;  February  19,  Union 
Council  No.  5  at  Los  Angeles.  He  then  celebrated  Washington's 
birthday  by  instituting  the  State  Council  of  California,  Febru- 
ary 22,  1894,  at  which  the  following  officers  were  elected: 

Junior  Past  State  Councilor — C.  C.  Cook, 

State  Councilor — L.  S.  Butler, 

State  Vice-Councilor — H.  C.   Schaertzer, 

State  Council  Secretary — Isaac  S.  Smith,, 

State  Council  Treasurer — Chas.  T.  Powers, 

State  Council  Conductor — Chas.  H.  Thomas, 

State  Council  Warden — L.  B.  Manes, 

State  Council  Sentinels — Chas.  W.  Sonneman,  and  Geo.  E.  Terry. 

After  the  institution  of  the  State  Council,  Bro.  Collins  organ- 
ized Starr  King  Council,  No.  6,  at  San  Francisco,  March  9;  Red- 
lands,  No.  7,  March  12,  and  Magnolia,  No.  8,  at  Riverside,  March  15. 

At  the  semi-annual  meeting  in  August,  18  Councils  were  re- 
ported and  529  members.  In  the  meantime  Brother  Collins  had 
been  "  dropped  "  by  the  National  Board  of  Officers  as  National  Or- 
ganizer, following  the  Asheville  session,  whereas,  in  a  set  of  reso- 
lutions, the  State  Body  deplored  the  action  of  said  Board  of 
Officers  and  expressed  their  confidence  and  esteem  for  him  who 
had  wrought  such  a  great  work  for  California. 

The  Second  Annual  Session  was  held  at  Redlands,  February  22 
and  23,  1895,  L.  S.  Butler  presiding,  who  was  assisted  by  our 


428  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

present  (1907)  National  Councilor,  Brother  Schaertzer,  who,  from 
the  beginning,  was  a  most  active  spirit  in  California  Juniorism. 

Oakland,  March  3,  1896,  entertained  the  State  Body,  Brother 
Schaertzer  in  the  Chair.  The  year  previous  had  been  one  of  great 
prosperity.  Twelve  Councils  had  been  organized  and  under  Brother 
Schaertzer's  administration  for  the  year,  the  membership  reached 
2,243,  a  gain  of  1,234.  Having  guided  the  affairs  of  the  state 
with  such  a  master-hand,  the  State  Council  reelected  him  for 
another  year. 

When  the  State  Body  met  at  Sacramento  in  1897,  it  had 
reached  "  high  water-mark,"  a  small  gain  having  been  reported. 
Again  the  State  Council  selected  Brother  Schaertzer  to  preside 
over  the  Order  in  the  state,  a  compliment  but  seldom  showed 
any  member  in  any  jurisdiction. 

At  the  close  of  the  session  a  very  pleasing  incident  took  place 
in  which  Brother  D.  B.  Bowley  had  the  floor: 

"  Brother  State  Councilor  : 

"  For  two  consecutive  terms  you  have  fiHed,  with  honor  to  yourself 
and  our  beloved  Order,  the  highest  office  within  our  gift — that  of  our 
chief.  It  was  largely  due  to  your  individual  efforts  that  the  Jr.  O.  U.  A.  M. 
was  introduced  and  established  throughout  California.  We  recognize  that 
it  has  been  a  sacrifice  on  your  part,  as  the  time  consumed  in  attending 
to  the  important  duties  of  your  office  should  have  been  devoted  to  your 
profession.  I  have  been  requested  by  the  members  of  the  Jr.  0.  U.  A.  M. 
and  the  D.  of  L.  from  every  portion  of  our  dear  State  to  present  to  you 
at  this  time  this  beautiful  gold  watch  as  a  slight  token  of  their  regard 
for  their  State  Councilor,  and  because  your  earnest  efforts  have  been 
appreciated. 

"  As  the  hands  of  this  watch  glide  on,  indicating  the  different  periods 
of  time,  may  all  go  well  with  you  and  our  worthy  Order.  May  your 
future  and  the  future  of  the  Jr.  O.  U.  A.  M.  be  peaceful  and  bright,  with 
no  more  clouds  than  may  glisten  in  the  sunshine,  no  more  rain  than  may 
form  a  rainbow,  and  may  you  meet  all  of  your  fraternal  brethren  and  sisters 
in  that  Grand  Council  beyond  the  River." 


When  the  State  Council  met  at  Los  Angeles,  at  its  Fifth  Session 
in  1898,  a  loss  in  membership  was  reported,  owing  to  hard  times 
and  the  impression  that  had  gone  abroad  that  the  Order  was  an 
A.  P.  A.  Association.  The  fear  of  being  "  boycotted  "  by  the  Roman 
Catholic  Church  deterred  many  from  allying  themselves  with  the 
Order,  and  drove  others  out  of  it.  For  instance,  one  member  under 
the  influence  of  intoxicants,  in  a  saloon,  shouted  at  the  top  of  his 
voice  that  the  Junior  Order  would  drive  every  Catholic  out  of 
town.     As  a  sequel,  the  Council  in  the  place  disbanded. 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  429 

San  Jose  received  the  State  Council  at  its  Sixth  Annual  Ses- 
sion, 1899,  presided  over  by  Brother  M.  PI.  Bellinger,  State  Coun- 
cilor. The  Order  in  the  state  had  entered  the  era  of  discourage- 
ment, loss  of  membership  and  lack  of  finances  represented  the 
true  condition  of  affairs. 

One  feature  of  this  session,  not  often  seen  in  State  bodies, 
was  the  taking  of  an  informal  ballot  for  the  various  offices,  those 
lowest  in  number  generally  declining,  whereupon  a  ballot  was  had 
for  election.  Brother  Herman  Paine,  the  present  energetic  State 
Council  Secretary,  was  elected  to  that  position,  to  which  he  has 
been  reelected  each  year  since.  Brother  Terry  had  served  in  that 
office  for  some  years,  but  declined  reelection.  With  $32  on  hand, 
the  State  Council  be^an  another  vear 


The  Seventh  Annual  Session  was  held  at  San  Francisco,  March 
20  and  21,  1900,  with  Brother  H.  G.  Squires  at  the  helm.  The 
State  Councilor  gave  a  clear  resume  of  the  difficulties  that  ob- 
structed the  progress  of  the  Order  in  the  state,  principally  that  of 
the  misconstruction  placed  upon  the  teachings  of  the  organization. 
Upon  this  point,  he  says: 

"  This  being  the  case,  ours  must  be  a  campaign  of  education;  we 
must  enlighten  every  intelligent  citizen  of  our  fair  state  as  to  what  our 
principles  are  and  to  what  extent  we  are  endeavoring  to  carry  them  out." 

These  principles  he  characterized  as  "  God's  highest  and 
noblest  ideals  of  American  manhood  and  citizenship." 

The  death  of  Past  State  Councilor  L.  S.  Butler,  the  first  State 
Councilor  of  California,  was  announced  as  occurring  September  9, 
1899. 

In  1901,  the  meeting  of  the  State  Council  was  held  at  Oak- 
land, 19th  and  20th  of  March,  Brother  J.  F.  Burns  in  the  Chair. 
The  progress  of  the  Order  in  the  state  was  somewhat  impeded  from 
the  fact  that  the  laws  adopted  at  the  last  session  did  not  conform 
to  the  requirements  of  the  Supreme  Laws  of  the  Order  as  enacted 
at  the  Minneapolis  session  of  the  National  Body.  Through  the  ear- 
nest efforts  of  the  State  Council  Secretary,  Brother  Paine,  the  laws 
were  made  to  conform  to  the  National  requirements,  with  the  under- 
standing that  the  same  would  be  ratified  at  the  next  session  of  the 
State  Body.  This  defect  in  the  laws  grew  out  of  a  misconstruction 
of  the  real  and  true  import  of  the  laws  adopted  by  the  National 
Council,  hence  was  accidental,  not  intentional. 


430  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

It  required  but  one  day  to  transact  the  business  at  the  session 
of  1902,  that  was  held  at  Oakland,  S.  C.,  Brother  Geo.  H.  Derrick- 
presiding.  Jr.  P.  N.  C,  Brother  Beeves,  of  State  of  Washington, 
was  present  and  addressed  the  State  Body  and  installed  the  officers. 
About  25  members  were  in  attendance,  two  new  Councils  were  re- 
ported and  an  increase  of  43  members. 


San  Jose  again  opened  its  doors  to  the  State  Body  in  1903,  and 
a  two-day  session  was  held,  S.  C.  Brother  J.  L.  Starr  in  the  Chair. 
Organizing  work  during  the  year  had  progressed  very  well  under 
the  successful  efforts  of  Brother  A.  L.  Wells,  who  instituted  five  new 
Councils  and  resuscitated  several  old  ones,  and  rendered  valuable 
service. 

The  report  of  the  National  Kepresentatives  was-  a  divided  one, 
my  good  friends  Brothers  Woods  and  Burns  failing  to  "  see  eye  to 
eye  "  as  to  the  status  of  affairs  as  they  existed  in  the  National  Body, 
hence  each  submitted  his  personal  report.  Happily  the  causes  that 
engendered  divided  feelings  at  that  time  in  several  of  the  states 
are  of  the  past,  and  after  the  "lovefeast"  at  Nashville,  in  1905, 
I  am  sure  my  dear  Brothers  Woods  and  Burns  could  have  sub- 
mitted a  joint  report,  both  being  true  and  loyal  to  what  they  thought 
was  right. 


The  Eleventh  Annual  Session  was  held  at  Los  Angeles  in  1904, 
with  Hon.  Eli  Wright  presiding. 

Those  who  were  fortunate  enough  to  enjoy  the  hospitality  of 
the  California  Juniors  at  the  National  Council  session  of  1903 
will  not  forget  the  splendid  treatment  received  from  the  "  boys  " 
during  their  stay  in  the  "  Golden  State."  The  courteous  and 
brotherly  reception  given  the  Supreme  Body,  its  members  and  their 
wives,  will  not  be  eliminated  from  the  memories  of  those  who 
crossed  the  Great  Mountains  to  participate  in  the  business  and 
pleasures  of  the  occasion.  To  give  this  royal  entertainment,  the 
Committee  of  Arrangements  at  this  session  of  their  State  Council 
reported  that  the  sum  of  nearly  $1,100  had  been  expended.  This 
did  not  include  the  entertainment  given  by  the  brothers  of  San 
Jose,  the  carriage  ride  among  the  fruit  orchards  of  that  famous 
and  beautiful  valley  and  the  great  banquet  at  its  close;  neither 
did  it  include  the  great  trolley  ride  given  by  the 'Los  Angeles 
trolley  system,  through  the  courtesy  of  Brother  Burns. 

A  charter  was  granted  at  this  session  for  a  Council  to  be  named 
Gen.  John  A.  Sutter  Council.  No.  25.     Of  all  names  dear  to  Cali- 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  481 

fornia,  that  of  "Sutter"  should  be  the  dearest  of  nil,  as  it  was 
in  his  mill-race  that  the  -first  gold  ore  was  found  thai  enthused  the 
world. 

That  which  impressed  the  writer  most  while  reading  the 
records  of  this  session  were  the  pages  set  aside  In  Memoriam  of 
those  of  the  State  Body  who  had  "  passed  into  the  Great  Beyond." 
The  page  especially  that  attracted  our  attention  and  touched  our 
heart,  was  the  one  set  apart  In  Memoriam  of  the  lamented  P.  N.  C. 
Brother  Geo.  B.  Bowers,  a  most  beautiful  tribute  to  one  whoso  life 
was  beautiful  as  it  was  good.  Pennsylvania  appreciates  this  mag- 
nanimous tribute  of  respect  to  her  most  beloved  brother.  The  lines 
concluding  the  Memorial  we  quote : 

"  Lives  of  all  great  men  remind  us 

We  should  make  our  lives  sublime; 
And  in  parting,  leave  behind  us 
Footprints  on  the  sands  of  time." 


Fresno  had  the  honor  of  entertaining  the  State  Council  at  its 
Thirteenth  Annual  Session,  March  20  and  21,  1905,  with  S.  C. 
Brother  D.  G.  Mitchell  in  the  Chair;  39  answered  to  their  names 
at  roll-call. 

Special  efforts  had  been  made  by  the  Board  of  Officers  during 
the  year  to  stir  up  interest  throughout  the  jurisdiction,  and  in  a 
measure,  were  succesfnl.  The  subject  of  Kestricted  Immigration 
had  been  brought  very  prominently  before  the  members  of  the 
Order,  with  the  request  that  each  write  a  personal  letter  to  his 
Eepresentative  in  Congress  asking  his  support  of  the  proposed  meas- 
ure in  Congress  that  was  being  backed  by  the  National  Legislative 
Committee.  As  a  result  of  this  appeal  288  replies  from  Senators 
and  Congressmen  were  received  by  the  104  members  who  were  inter- 
ested enough  to  write.  The  number  of  letters  sent  to  members  ask- 
ing for  personal  letters  to  be  written  was  1,197. 


We  leave  the  interesting  story  of  the  "  Golden  State "  with 
this  the  Thirteenth  Annual  Session  of  the  State  Council.  Its  story 
has  been  similar  to  that  of  nearly  every  state  in  which  our  Order 
has  gone — sometimes  up  then  sometimes  down,  but  heroically  the 
little  band  of  patriots  stood  by  the  "old  ship."  Conspicuous  in 
the  annals  of  the  Order  in  California,  both  in  State  and  the  Na- 
tional Council  many  brothers  could  be  named  At  the  head  of  the 
list  stands  National  Vice-Councilor    (elected  National   Councilor 


432  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

in  1907)  H.  C.  Schaertzer.  Associated  with  him  we  would  men- 
tion Herman  Paine.  S.  C.  Secretary;  Past  State  Councilors  J.  L. 
Starr,  J.  F.  Burns,  D.  G.  Mitchell,  Dr.  Geo.  H.  Derrick,  H.  G. 
Squiers,  Wm.  E.  Bouton,  C.  C.  Cook,  and  State  Councilor  Fred  C. 
Pattison.  Others,  though  they  never  "  sat  upon  the  throne,"  were 
equally  prominent  and  were  full  of  "  good  works,"  some  of  them 
having  had  the  honor  of  representing  the  State  Council  in  the 
Supreme  Body.  I  might  mention  D.  B.  Bowley,  S.  Jos.  Theison, 
E.  M.  Wilson,  F.  A.  Tibbetts,  D.  E.  Woods,  C.  F.  Quirey,  State 
Council  Treasurer  C.  M.  Prater,  F.  H.  Hall,  J.  W.  Rodgers  and 
State  Vice-Councilor  L.  C.  Shannon  (1906). 

With  an  outlook  never  brighter,  with  earnest  determined  men 
at  the  helm,  the  year  following  the  session  of  March,  1906,  prom- 
ised great  things.  But  the  year  had  scarcely  begun  when  the  entire 
land,  yea,  the  world  was  startled  by  the  announcement  of  the  appal- 
ling calamity  that  befell  the  beautiful  City  of  San  Francisco  and 
many  adjacent  places.  As  a  result,  the  Order  in  the  City  of  San 
Francisco  was  paralyzed,  Council  halls  either  going  down  in  the 
earthquake  or  up  in  flames,  the  members  driven  and  burned  out  of 
their  homes  and  the  wheels  of  the  organization  for  the  time  being 
were  stopped. 

Scarcely  had  the  embers  cease  to  burn  when  the  great  heart 
of  the  Order  burst  with  unselfish  philanthropy,  and  from  every 
Council  in  the  land  went  out  a  quick  response  to  the  cry  of  their 
California  brethren.  The  Junior  Order  was  among  the  first  to 
revive  from  the  shock,  and  at  once  quarters  were  secured  and  the 
work  of  the  Order  was  resumed. 

The  work  of  the  Committee  in  the  reorganizing  of  the  ruined 
Councils  and  the  expending  of  the  relief  fund  of  more  than  $7,000 
was  a  stupendous  task  and  great  credit  is  due  the  brothers  for  their 
labor  of  love.  To  Brothers  State  Council  Secretary  Herman  Paine 
and  State  Vice-Councilor  L.  C.  Shannon  fell  the  greater  part  of 
the  work  in  reviving  the  Councils  and  distributing  the  relief  fund, 
and  honorably  and  conscientiously  did  they  perform  their  brotherly 
and  fraternal  duty. 

The  report  of  the  State  Council  Secretary  for  the  year  ending 
February  28,  1906,  shows  the  following: 

JN  umber    of   Councils 13 

Number   of  Members 1347 

Paid  for  Benefits  and  Relief $3,711.00 

Amount  in  Treasury  of  Subordinate  Councils 3,849.20 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  433 

(The  session  of  1907  was  held  in  March,  and  notwithstanding 
the  great  havoc  occasioned  by  the  calamity  that  befell  San  Fran- 
cisco and  other  places,  burning  of  halls  where  the  Councils  met  and 
paralyzing  the  Order,  so  deep-seated  is  the  Order  in  the  Golden 
State  that  the  State  Council  Secretary  was  able  to  report  a  net 
gain  in  membership  of  133,  and  a  membership  of  1470.) 


COLORADO 

The  "  Silver  State  "  found  its  "  Moses  "  in  National  Organizer 
Stephen  Collins,  who,  fresh  from  the  victories  of  his  own  State  of 
Pennsylvania,  where  the  very  air  was  permeated  with  Juniorism, 
entered  the  State  of  Colorado  early  in  January  of  1893  and  soon 
had  kindled  a  fire  of  patriotism  that  was  in  a  few  years  to  sweep 
over  the  entire  state,  and  gathered  about  him  as  noble  and  en- 
thusiastic a  body  of  leaders  as  could  be  found  anywhere.  In  a 
very  short  time  Brother  Collins  had  three  Councils  organized  and 
instituted  same,  as  follows:  Washington  Council,  No.  1,  January 
25,  1893 ;  John  C.  Fremont,  No.  2,  January  30,  and  Silver  State, 
No.  3,  January  31,  1893. 

Doing  some  work  elsewhere,  the  National  Organizer  returned  to 
the  state  and  instituted  Plymouth,  No.  4,  May  23 ;  Amethyst,  No.  5, 
May  27 ;  El  Moro,  No.  6,  May  29,  and  Winona  No.  7,  May  30,  1893. 
On  May  31,  1893,  in  due  form,  he  instituted  the  State  Council  of 
Colorado,  at  Denver,  and  installed  over  it  the  following  officers: 

Jr.  Past  State  Councilor — J.  C.  Shearing, 
State  Councilor — C.  A.  Creighton, 
State  Vice-Councilor — G.  A.  Reese, 
State  Council  Secretary — H.  L.  Sparks, 
State  Council  Treasurer — Edwin  Little, 

National  Representatives — C.  H.  Peters,  J.  O.  Fisher,  C.  E.  Keepers, 
J.  R.  Hogehoom  and  H.  L.  Sparks. 

For  several  years  the  State  Council  met  semi-annually,  the 
first  meeting  being  held  at  Pueblo,  November  23,  same  year.  The 
State  Body  since  its  institution  sustained  a  great  loss  in  the  death 
of  State  Council  Secretary  H.  L.  Sparks.  At  this  session,  C.  H. 
Peters  was  elected  to  fill  the  unexpired  term. 

The  second  annual  meeting  was  also  held  at  Pueblo,  May  8, 
1894,  presided  over  by  State  Councilor  Creighton.  One  who  was 
to  take  a  prominent  part  in  shaping  the  policy  of  Juniorism,  not 
only  in  Colorado,  but  throughout  the  entire  National  jurisdiction, 
was  present  at  this  session  as  a  representative  of  Winona  Council, 
No.  7,  Brother  Joseph  Powell.     He  at  once  became  conspicuous  in 

28 


434  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

the  session,  submitting  many  resolutions  in  harmony  with  the  teach- 
ings of  the  Order.     The  officers  elected  were  as  follows : 

State  Councilor — Geo.  A.  Reese, 
State    Vice-Councilor — Joseph    Powell, 
State  Council  Secretary — Chas.  H.  Peters, 
State  Council  Treasurer — Thomas  Atkinson. 

When  the  semi-annual  meeting  convened  at  Denver,  on  Novem- 
ber 13,  same  year,  the  Order  was  in  a  thriving  condition.  State 
Vice-Councilor  Brother  Powell  had  been  appointed  Special  Or- 
ganizer, whose  work  resulted  in  much  good.  After  several  heroic 
attempts  Councils  were  instituted  at  Colorado  Springs  and  Cripple 
Creek,  H.  H.  Eddy  and  A.  Eex  Molette  rendering  excellent  assist- 
ance.   

State  Councilor  Reese  presided  at  the  annual  session  of  the 
State  Body  held  at  Colorado  Springs,  May  14,  1895.  The  year 
closing  had  witnessed  a  great  advance  along  all  lines  of  work,  the 
gain  in  membership  being  400  per  cent.  Brother  Powell,  as  Special 
Organizer,  was  given  special  credit  for  this  increase  by  the  State 
Councilor  who  paid  him  a  high  compliment.  Brother  Powell  was 
one  of  Colorado's  most  intelligent,  energetic  and  tireless  workers, 
and  the  success  that  came  to  the  Order  in  those  early  years  was 
due  very  largely  to  his  enthusiasm.  National  Councilor  Richter 
spoke  of  him  as  "  that  tireless  worker,"  while  Deputy  National 
Councilor  Shearing  referred  to  him  as  having  the  "  true  push  of 
a  loyal  Westerner." 

The  membership  reported  was  given  at  1,123.  Brother  Wilbur 
Cannon,  as  Chairman  of  the  State  Legislative  Committee,  reported 
that  efforts  at  legislation  had  been  made  in  the  Legislature,  but  all 
their  bills  had  been  turned  down.  In  the  election  of  officers,  the 
following  were  named: 

State  Councilor — Joseph  Powell, 
State  Vice-Councilor — H.  N.  Green, 
State  Council  Secretary — Chas.  H.  Peters, 
State  Council  Treasurer — Thos.  Atkinson. 

The  Tidal  Wave  was  endorsed  as  the  official  organ  for  the 
State  Council.  The  Silver  West  was  a  competitive  publication  for 
official  recognition. 

Canon  City,  on  May  12  and  13,  1896,  entertained  the  State 
Council,  with  State  Councilor  Powell  in  the  Chair,  it  being  the 
Fourth  Annual  Session.  The  year  just  closing  had  witnessed  an 
unprecedented  advance,  notwithstanding  the  environments  that  are 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  435 

to  be  found  in  all  the  Western  states.  Under  Brother  Powell's 
matchless  administration  the  Order  in  the  state  had  been  brought 
to  the  approximate  number  of  2,500  members,  the  official  reporl 
for  year  ending  December  31,  1895,  showing  23  Councils  and  2,077 
members,  and  on  March  31,  1896,  the  number  reported  was  2,206. 
It  is  due,  however,  to  state  that  part  of  this  success  belonged  to 
Brother  Powell's  associates  on  the  Board  of  Officers  and  his 
Deputies,  as  a  portion  of  the  year  was  spent  by  the  State  Councilor 
in  other  states  as  National  Organizer.  The  financial  standing  of 
the  state  was  given  as  follows : 

Received  by  Subordinate  Councils $12,364.23 

Paid  for  Relief 832.25 

Worth  of  Councils 5,000.00 

By  invitation  of  the  Colorado  brethren,  the  National  Council 
of  1896  convened  in  Denver,  and  from  the  reports  of  those  who 
were  present,  the  "  boys  "  gave  the  members  of  the  body  a  rousing 
reception  and  spared  no  pains  and  money  to  show  them  the 
wonders  of  that  romantic  region. 

The  National  Council  recognized  the  sterling  qualities  of 
Brother  Powell  at  this  session  by  electing  him  National  Vice- 
Councilor,  and  at  Pittsburg,  Pa.,  in  1897,  he  was  exalted  to  the 
Chair  of  National  Councilor,  in  which  position  he  presided  to  the 
satisfaction  of  all  at  Louisville,  in  1898. 

From  1896  to  1905-6,  the  following  have  presided  over  the 
State  Council  of  Colorado :  Thos.  C.  Harbison,  H.  H.  Eddy,  A.  Rex 
Molette,  R.  A.  Grossman,  W.  W.  Bulette,  Wilbur  F.  Cannon,  Geo. 
B.  Larimer,  W.  A.  Pollard,  J.  A.  Riehl  and  W.  F.  Chamberlain. 

Colorado  Juniorism  was  born  under  auspicious  circumstances. 
Strong  men  were  at  the  helm  whose  enthusiasm  inspired  confidence 
throughout  the  entire  jurisdiction  and  the  membership  passed 
quickly  beyond  the  2,000  mark.  But  troublesome  times  came — 
some  of  the  leaders  removed  from  the  state,  others  though  as  en- 
thusiastic encountered  obstacles,  Councils  lost  interest  in  the  organ- 
ization, while  opposition  upon  the  part  of  the  enemies  of  free 
institutions  took  on  new  life  and  gradually  the  Order  declined 
until  the  report  for  year  ending  March  31,  1906,  gives  the  follow- 
ing standing  of  the  Order  in  the  state: 

Number    of    Councils 8 

Number   of   Members 644 

Receipts  of  Subordinate  Councils $6,562.64 

Paid  for  Relief 1,446.90 

Worth  of  Councils 3,140.49 


436  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

The  following  officers  were  elected  at  the  annual  session  held 
in  May,  1906 : 

State  Councilor — Don  A.  Swett, 
State  Vice-Councilor — O.  E.  Rickerson,  Jr., 
State  Council  Secretary — W.  A.  Pollard, 
State  Council  Treasurer — J.  R.  Madden. 

Including  the  above  officers,  those  who  left  an  impress  upon 
Colorado  Juniorism,  the  following  might  be  named :  Past  National 
Councilor  Jos.  Powell,  Past  Chief  Judge  National  Judiciary  H.  H. 
Eddy,  who  framed  the  present  Constitution  and  Laws  of  trie  Order ; 
Hon.  Wilbur  F.  Cannon,  Thos.  C.  Harbison,  E.  A.  Crossman,  C.  A. 
Creighton,  A.  Bex  Molette,  W.  \V.  Bulette,  J.  C.  Shearing,  G.  A. 
Eeese,  Geo.  B.  Larimer,  all  Past  State  Councilors;  together  with 
Brothers  Lounsbury,  Booth  and  Judge  Adams.  It  is  to  be  hoped 
that  a  brighter  day  is  coming  for  the  "  Silver  State."  Of  the 
above  list  of  Colorado  Juniors,  Senior  Past  State  Councilor  J.  C. 
Shearing  is  no  more,  having  departed  this  life  sometime  in  1895 
or  1896,  having  united  with  Smoky  City  Council,  No.  119,  of  Penn- 
sylvania, and  removing  to  Colorado,  he  became  a  charter  member 
of  Plymouth  Council,  No.  4,  and  was  its  Eecording  Secretary  at 
the  time  of  his  death.  As  stated  before,  at  the  institution  of  the 
State  Council  of  Colorado  he  was  selected  Junior  Past  State  Coun- 
cilor. He  was  an  earnest  Junior,  having  served  as  Deputy  National 
Councilor  of  his  state  and  was  holding  that  position  at  the  time 
of  his  death. 

CONNECTICUT 

From  Deemer's  History  we  learn  that  as  early  as  1871,  the 
Order  was  introduced  into  the  "  Nutmeg  State  "  by  the  institution 
of  Liberty  Council,  No.  1,  followed  by  Franklin  Council,  No.  2, 
in  October,  1872,  and  Manhattan,  No.  3,  May  5,  1874.  Liberty 
Council,  No.  1,  having  become  defunct,  on  February  7,  1889,  Star 
Council  was  instituted  and  given  that  number.  However,  at  the 
opening  of  the  year  1893,  the  Councils  in  the  state  were  extinct. 
Whereupon,  Special  Organizer  J.  E.  Eollison,  of  New  Jersey,  was 
directed  to  enter  the  state  and  in  February  of  same  year  instituted 
Jas.  G.  Blaine  Council,  No.  1.  This  was  followed  by  Chamberlain, 
No.  2,  June,  1893,  instituted  by  J.  C.  Sherwood;  Liberty  Bell, 
No.  3,  June  16,  1894,  by  Special  Organizer  Geo.  W.  McFarland; 
Buckingham,  No.  4,  at  Hartford,  by  Deputy  National  Councilor 
E.  D.  Fitch,  October  4,  1894,  and  Winona,  No.  5,  at  Waterbury, 
by  National  Organizer  Orange,  May  10,  1895.     These  were  followed 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  437 

by  the  institution  of  the  State  Council  of  Connecticut,  June  11, 
1895,  by  National  Organizer  Orange,  at  New  Haven. 

The  officers  of  the  State  Council  were  selected  as  follows : 

Jr.  Past  State  Councilor — J.  C.  Sherwood, 
State  Councilor — G.  L.  Wheeler, 
State  Vice-Councilor — R.  D.  Fitch, 
State  Council  Secretary — F.  H.  Baldwin. 

Those  chosen  as  National  Eepresentatives  at  the  institution  of 
the  State  Body  were :  W.  G.  Kimberly,  Dr.  J.  H.  Gardiner,  C.  E. 
Crane  and  W.  0.  Staples.  Brother  Staples  was  the  only  one  of  the 
delegation  who  attended  the  National  session  at  Omaha. 

As  per  report  for  the  year  ending  December  31,  1895,  the 
standing  of  the  State  Council  was  as  follows: 

Number  of  Councils 10 

Number   of   Members 667 

Received  by  Subordinate  Councils $3,054.31 

Paid    for    Relief 132.00 

Worth    of    Councils 503.97 

At  the  session  of  the  State  Council,  held  September,  1895, 
R.  D.  Fitch  was  elected  State  Councilor  and  W.  G.  Kimberly  State 
Vice-Councilor. 

In  1896,  W.  G.  Kimberly  was  elected  State  Councilor  and 
J.  A.  Schroeder  State  Vice-Councilor.  E.  W.  Bell  was  elected 
State  Council  Secretary.  The  year  previous  had  witnessed  a  nice 
increase  in  members  and  a  big  advance  in  the  finances  of  the  Order. 

At  the  1897  session  J.  A.  Schroeder  was  elected  State  Coun- 
cilor and  F.  G.  Hawley  State  Vice- Councilor.  From  1898  to  1905, 
the  following  brothers  filled  the  position  of  State  Councilor :  F.  G. 
Hawley,  Jos.  E.  James,  F.  H.  King,  A.  S.  Prentice,  Chas.  F.  Mer- 
rill, E.  E.  Eno,  C.  B.  Fargo  and  F.  F.  Freeman. 

The  standing  of  the  State  Council  for  year  ending  December 
31,  1904,  was  as  follows: 

Number  of  Councils 12 

Number  of  Members 1126 

Received  bv  Subordinate  Councils $16,184.32 

Paid  for  Relief 232.65 

Worth  of  Councils 8,670.52 

While  the  Order  is  not  numerically  very  strong  in  the  state, 
yet  it  has  moved  forward  at  moderate  pace  and  remains  nearly  the 
same  one  year  with  the  other     The  Order  is  on  a  safe  basis  and  is 


438  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

composed  of  conservative  members,  numbering  among  the  best  of 
citizens  in  the  Commonwealth. 

Quite  a  number  of  the  brothers  of  Connecticut  who  have  been 
honored  by  the  State  Council,  are  still  active,  more  or  less,  in  the 
promulgation  of  the  Order.  Of  these  we  might  name  the  follow- 
ing: Past  State  Councilors  F.  G.  Hawley,  J.  C.  Sherwood,  R.  D. 
Fitch,  J.  A.  Schroeder,  J.  K.  James,  E.  E.  Eno,  C.  B.  Fargo  and 
F.  F.  Freeman;  Past  National  Kepresentatives,  not  named  above, 
S.  H.  Smith,  B.  F.  White,  W.  L.  Carpenter,  W.  E.  Allen  and  E.  L. 
Goulden,  the  latter  being  State  Council  Treasurer,  and  State  Coun- 
cil Secretary  H.  N.  Marvin. 

A  conspicuous  pillar  of  the  Order  in  Connecticut,  one  known 
far  and  wide  throughout  the  Union,  was  W.  0.  Staples,  for  years 
National  Representative,  but  more  prominently  known  as  the  Na- 
tional Secretary  of  the  Daughters  of  Liberty.  But  he  has  been 
removed  from  the  earthly  Council  to  the  Supreme  Council  "  beyond 
the  river." 

DELAWARE 

To  the  0.  U.  A.  M.  the  credit  belongs  of  introducing  the 
Jr.  0.  U.  A.  M.  into  the  State  of  Delaware,  the  "  Diamond  State," 
the  second  state  in  the  Order,  sometime  in  August  of  1864,  by  the 
organization  of  Diamond  Council,  No.  1.  John  S  Cosgrove  and 
Frank  McCale  attended  the  State  Council  of  Pennsylvania  as  Rep- 
resentatives, under  whose  jurisdiction  Delaware  was  for  the  time 
being,  October  18,  1864,  while  at  the  quarterly  session  held  January 
17,  1865,  four  Representatives  were  in  attendance.  At  the  regular 
session  of  the  State  Council  of  Pennsylvania,  held  April  17,  1865, 
Wm.  H.  Killiam,  of  Delaware,  was  elected  State  Council  Warden. 
Brother  Killiam  was  quite  prominent  in  the  earlier  years  of  the 
Order  in  his  state  and  served  the  organization  with  credit,  having 
been  one  of  Delaware's  Representatives  in  1869  to  organize  the 
National  Council,  at  which  preliminary  meeting  he  was  the 
Chairman. 

Hope  Council,  No.  2,  was  instituted  in  July  of  1866,  during 
which  month  the  State  Council  of  Pennsylvania  convened  in  Wil- 
mington, Delaware.  Rescue  Council,  No.  3,  was  instituted  in  Oc- 
tober of  1867,  and  Wilmington  Council,  No.  4,  in  January,  1868, 
and  on  the  18th  of  April  following,  the  State  Council  of  Delaware 
was  launched  into  existence. 

The  State  Council,  however,  was  not  instituted  without  consid- 
erable opposition  on  the  part  of  a  portion  of  the  Order  in  the  State 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  439 

of  Delaware.  At  the  quarterly  meeting  of  the  Pennsylvania  State 
Council  in  January,  1868,  application  for  a  State  Council  was 
filed  by  Kepresentatives  of  three  of  the  Councils  of  the  state,  against 
which  a  protest  was  filed  by  Kescue  Council  of  same  state.  The 
matter  being  referred  to  a  committee  by  the  State  Council  for  con- 
sideration, that  committee  subsequently  in  the  session  reported 
as  follows : 

1.  "  Each  Council  is  to  appoint  a  committee  in  order  to  promote 
harmony  in  the  Councils  of  the  State,  in  order  that  the  rive  Councils  of 
the  State  shall  make  application  for  a  charter. 

2.  "  The  principal  objection  to  a  State  Council  is  the  want  of  suili- 
cient  means  to  properly  carry  out  the  same." 

Other  provisions  were  submitted  by  the  committee — that  if 
they  thought  they  could  carry  on  a  State  Council,  to  make  a  second 
application  which  should  be  granted,  provided  that  "  said  State 
Council  of  Delaware  shall  be  under  the  jurisdiction  of  the  State 
Council  of  Pennsylvania,  which  shall  be  the  National  Council  of 
the  Order  until  another  State  Council  is  formed;  and  that  they  be 
entitled  to  four  Kepresentatives." 

The  report  of  the  Committee  stirred  up  an  animated  discus- 
sion, amendments  to  grant  a  charter  at  once  and  one  that  it  be 
granted  April  1  were  both  lost.  A  motion  to  accept  the  report  and 
discharge  the  Committee  was  also  defeated.  Finally  the  Committee 
was  discharged  and  the  matter  was  referred  to  the  Judiciary  Com- 
mittee to  grant  a  charter  if  they  saw  fit. 

At  the  quarterly  session  of  the  State  Council  of  Pennsylvania, 
held  at  Wilmington,  Delaware,  April  8,  1868,  the  Judiciary  Com- 
mittee made  its  report,  stating  that  all  differences  among  the  Coun- 
cils of  Delaware  had  been  adjusted,  there  having  been  submitted 
an  unanimous  request  from  the  Councils  of  the  state  for  a  charter 
for  a  State  Council  sometime  in  February  preceding,  but  in  the 
opinion  of  the  Committee,  consisting  of  Nathan  Penrose  and  Geo. 
W.  Bottom,  it  was  claimed  that  they  had  not  the  prerogative  to 
grant  charters  to  State  Councils,  thereby  conferring  on  individuals 
powers  coextensive  with  those  of  the  State  Council  itself.  Hence 
the  Judiciary  Committee  very  wisely  referred  the  matter  to  the 
State  Council  without  recommendation  or  suggestion,  but  simply 
stated  the  facts  of  the  harmonious  action  on  the  part  of  the  Coun- 
cils of  Delaware.  Action  upon  the  application  being  favorable,  a 
charter  was  granted  and  made  out,  and  at  the  same  session,  the  State 
Council  of  Delaware  was  duly  constituted,  thus  bringing  into  exist- 
ence the  first-born  of  the  family  of  State  Councils. 


440  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

Hoping  to  obtain  some  data  relative  to  the  institution  of  the 
first  State  Council  of  Delaware,  we  communicated  with  Past  Na- 
tional Councilor  T.  C.  Appleby,  who  had  united  with  Wilmington 
Council,  No.  4,  in  January,  1868,  but  he  was  unable  to  give  the 
uames  of  the  officers  elected  or  any  other  facts  connected  therewith. 
However,  Brother  Appleby  recalled  the  brethren  who,  at  that  time, 
were  prominent  in  the  organization,  viz. :  J.  P.  Edwards,  W.  H. 
Killiam,  T.  H.  H.  Messenger,  E.  F.  Lummis,  J.  Scanlon,  Arthur 
Outten,  Levi  Speakman,  John  Killiam,  Wm.  Hanna,  J.  Clayton, 
Win.  J.  Maxwell,  Samuel  Barker,  Wm.  Crossley  and  Frank  Ball. 
All  of  these  brethren,  with  the  exception  of  Samuel  Barker,  were 
charter,  members  of  the  State  Council. 

The  State  Council  of  Delaware,  in  connection  with  Pennsyl- 
vania and  New  Jersey,  elected  five  Representatives  for  the  purpose 
of  organizing  a  National  Council,  viz.,  Wm.  H.  Killiam,  John  P. 
Edwards,  William  Crossley,  F.  Ball  and  J.  Scanlon.  As  before 
stated,  William  H.  Killiam  called  the  convention  to  order  and 
presided  over  the  preliminary  exercises.  John  P.  Edwards  was 
elected  the  first  National  Treasurer.  None  of  the  charter  members 
from  Delaware,  forming  the  National  Council,  however,  if  living, 
are  in  good  standing  in  the  Order. 

At  the  session  of  the  National  Council  in  1873,  Brother  T.  C. 
Appleby,  of  Delaware,  was  elected  National  Vice-Councilor,  there 
being  a  vacancy  in  the  office  of  National  Councilor,  and  served  in 
that  position  the  remainder  of  the  session.  He  was  then  selected 
National  Councilor  for  the  ensuing  year  and  served  with  credit. 
To-day  (1907)  Brother  Appleby  is  esteemed  and  loved  by  the  Order 
in  his  state  in  like  manner  as  her  sister  state,  Pennsylvania, 
esteems  and  loves  Senior  Past  National  Councilor  Brother  John  W. 
Calver.  These  two  brothers  were  conspicuous  factors  in  shaping 
the  policy  of  the  National  Council  and  the  Order  itself  in  those 
earlier  years. 

It  is  with  regret  that  we  are  unable  to  follow  up  the  history 
of  the  State  Council  from  the  date  of  its  institution,  as  the  records 
of  those  years  are  lost.  The  only  data  we  have  are  taken  from  the 
records  of  the  National  Council,  in  which  the  name  of  the  state  and 
representatives  therefrom  are  found  and  whatever  statistics  are 
given. 

In  1877  the  State  of  Delaware  reported  three  Councils  and 
104  members,  with  amount  paid  for  relief  of  but  $8  and  total 
valuation  of  its  Councils  being  $800.  The  names  of  Vernon,  Patton 
*md  Watson  are  found  on  record  as  National  Representatives.     Of 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  441 

Past  State  Councilors,  we  note  the  following :  Richard  Monck,  W  m. 
T.  Whitworth,  Wm.  H.  Hanna,  Thos.  H.  H.  Messenger,  S.  M. 
Wood  and  Geo.  S.  McKee.  Those  of  the  above  who  are  still  on  the 
list  from  the  State  of  Delaware  (190?)  are  Past  National  Councilor 
Thos.  C.  Appleby  and  Past  State  Councilor  Wm.  H.  Hanna. 

The  State  of  Delaware  failed  to  report  at  the  session  of  the 
National  Council  of  1SS1.  National  Secretary  Deemer,  in  refer- 
ring to  the  fact,  says: 

"In  the  latter  (Delaware)  the  Order  has  dwindled  down  to  one 
Council  and,  like  Pandora's  Box,  nothing  but  Hope  remains." 

As  far  as  the  National  Council  records  show,  the  name  of 
Delaware  does  not  appear,  excepting  occasionally  the  name  of  Past 
State  Councilor  Whitworth,  who  did  not  lose  his  honors  on  the 
disbanding  of  the  State  Council,  there  still  remaining  one  Council 
"  holding  the  fort"  as  late  as  1885,  when,  in  the  report  of  the 
vote  on  amendment  to  the  laws  as  submitted  by  the  National  Body, 
40  votes  were  recorded.  At  the  session  of  1886,  however,  a  com- 
munication from  Past  State  Councilor  Whitworth  announced  the 
fact  that  the  Order  had  ceased  to  live  in  the  State  of  Delaware, 
the  last  Council  having  disbanded. 

The  spirit  of  Juniorism,  however,  had  not  died  in  the  plucky 
little  state,  as  on  May  15,  1888,  a  charter  was  granted  Eureka 
Council,  No.  1,  located  at  Wilmington,  with  23  applicants.  This 
was  followed  by  the  institution  of  Middletown  Council,  No.  2, 
September  11,  1890;  Milford  Council,  No.  3;  Harrington,  No.  4; 
Diamond,  No.  5 ;  May  Dell,  No.  6,  and  Welcome,  No.  7,  in  1892 
and  1893,  and  on  the  21st  of  February,  1893,  the  State  Council 
was  reorganized  and  resumed  business  "  at  the  old  stand." 

THE  REORGANIZED  STATE  COUNCIL,   1893 

Pursuant  to  call,  the  Representatives  of  the  various  Subor- 
dinate Councils  of  the  state  met  in  the  City  of  Wilmington,  as 
above  stated,  February  21,  1893,  to  reorganize  the  State  Council  of 
Delaware,  at  which  preliminary  meeting,  Deputy  State  Councilor 
S.  C.  Vandegrift  presided.  The  following  Representatives  were  in 
attendance:  F.  W.  Pierson,  E.  A.  Van  Trump,  Jr.,  S.  C.  Vande- 
grift, G.  M.  Fisher,  F.  W.  Dowell,  S.  E.  Weir,  W.  J.  Downey,  Geo. 
W.  Nutz,  Joseph  A.  Suydam,  Harry  C.  Johnson,  Walter  C.  Stack, 
E.  S.  Jones,  F.  S.  Kesler,  A.  C.  Calhoun,  W.  0.  Lynch,  W.  J. 
Moreland,  Samuel  Reed  and  Frank  McClure. 

National  Secretary  Edw.  S.  Deemer  and  Brother  Marlin,  of 
Penns}dvania,  were  present  and  took  part  in  the  proceedings.     The 


442  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

first  order  of  business  consisted  in  the  election  of  officers,  which 
resulted  as  follows: 

Junior  Past  State  Councilor — A.  C.  Calhoun, 

State  Councilor — F.  W.  Pierson, 

State  Vice-Councilor — E.  S.  Jones, 

State  Council  Secretary — W.  J.  Moreland, 

State  Council  Treasurer — W.  J.  Downey, 

State  Council  Conductor — W.  O.  Lynch, 

State  Council  Warden — J.  A.  Suydam, 

State  Council  Sentinels — Geo.  M.  Fisher  and  Samuel  Reed. 

The  laws  governing  the  State  Body  were  adopted  as  printed. 
The  rules  of  the  State  Council  of  Maryland  were  made  the  rules 
of  order  for  the  State  Council,  and  40  cents  was  fixed  as  the  per 
capita  tax. 

1894 

The  First  Annual  Session  of  the  State  Council  of  Delaware 
was  held  at  Milford,  February  20,  1894,  State  Councilor  F.  W. 
Pierson  presiding.  Twenty-two  Past  Councilors  were  present  and 
were  invested  with  the  State  Council  Degree. 

Starting  out  with  seven  Councils  State  Councilor  Pierson 
reported  that  they  had  reached  19,  with  the  twentieth  one  to  be 
instituted  on  the  following  Tuesday.  State  Vice-Councilor  E.  S. 
Jones  proved  to  have  been  a  valuable  aid  in  the  work  of  the  year, 
having  visited  most  of  the  Councils  and  traveled  1,100  miles  in  the 
performance  of  his  duties.  The  membership  reported  was  883, 
classified  as  follows: 

Past  National  Councilors 1 

Past  State  Councilors 2 

Past    Councilors    47 

Junior   members    834 

The  officers  elected  for  the  ensuing  year  were: 

State  Councilor — E.  S.  Jones. 
State  Vice-Councilor — I.   T.   Parker, 
State  Council  Secretary — W.  J.  Moreland, 
State  Council  Treasurer — W.  J.  Downey. 


1895 

Dover  was  the  place,  February  19,  1895,  the  time  of  the  con- 
vening of  the  Second  Annual  Session  of  the  State  Council,  with 
State  Councilor  Jones  in  the  Chair.  Twenty-one  Councils  were 
represented  at  the  first  roll-call.     A  large  number  of  Past  Coun- 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  443 

cilors  were  admitted  and  the  State  Council  Degree  was  conferred 
upon  them. 

The  State  Councilor  stated  that  he  had  visited  all  the  councils 
of  the  state,  with  the  exception  of  three,  was  present  at  the  institu- 
tion of  all  the  new  Councils,  five  in  number,  and  had  traveled,  in 
the  performance  of  his  work,  1,412  miles.  One  of  the  recommen- 
dations of  State  Councilor  Jones  was  an  earnest  appeal  that  "  our 
State  shall  not  fail  in  its  portion  for  establishing  a  home  for  the 
orphanage  of  our  Order." 

The  Board  of  Officers  formulated  a  bill  providing  for  the  pur- 
chase of  the  American  flag  and  its  display  from  the  schoolhouses, 
which  was  passed  by  the  State  Legislature. 

The  State  Council  Secretary  reported  in  good  standing  23 
Councils  and  1,754  members,  making  nearly  100  per  cent,  gain  for 
the  year,  1,060  having  been  initiated,  indicating  that  the  "  boys  " 
had  "  a  mind  to  work." 

The  following  officers  were  elected : 
State  Councilor — I.  T.  Parker, 
State  Vice-Councilor — F.  R.  Householder, 
State  Council  Secretary — W.  J.  Moreland, 
State  Council  Treasurer — W.  J.  Downey. 

The  office  of  Chaplain  was  created  at  this  session. 

An  act  bearing  on  Compulsory  Education  was  endorsed  by  the 
State  Body  and  was  followed  by  instructions  to  have  same  presented 
at  the  next  session  of  the  State  Legislature. 


1896 

The  Third  Annual  Session  was  held  at  Middletown,  February 
18,  1896,  I.  T.  Parker,  as  State  Councilor,  presiding.  There  was 
a  large  attendance  and  the  meeting  was  an  enthusiastic  one. 

It  was  again  reported  by  the  State  Councilor,  that  as  the  incum- 
bent in  that  office  he  had  visited  every  Council  in  the  state,  having 
traveled  2,000  miles  in  order  to  do  it.  What  an  inspiration  such 
official  supervision  must  have  been  to  the  Order.  One  new  Council 
was  instituted. 

The  State  Council  Secretary  reported  24  Councils  and  1,850 
members,  of  which  144  were  Past  Councilors. 

Received  by  Subordinate  Councils $14,312.41 

Paid  for  Relief 5,248.72 

Worth  of  Councils 9,170.20 

Receipts  of  State  Council. $1,148.20 

Expenses   of   State   Council 885.03 


444  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

Officers  for  ensuing  year  were  chosen  as  follows: 

State  Councilor- — F.  R.  Householder, 
State  Vice-Councilor — F.   Morgan  Jones, 
State  Council  Secretary — W.  J.  Moreland, 
State  Council  Treasurer — W.  J.  Downey. 

The  Stars  and  Stripes  was  made  the  official  organ  of  the  Order 
in  the  state. 


1897 

February  16,  1897,  the  State  Council  of  Delaware  convened  in 
annual  session,  with  State  Councilor  Householder  presiding. 
Twenty-six  Councils  were  represented  at  roll-call  at  the  opening 
of  the  session. 

A  feature  of  Delaware  Juniorism,  seldom  found  in  State  Coun- 
cils, was  the  reporting  to  the  State  Council  and  incorporating  in 
the  proceedings  the  list  of  Past  Councilors  in  the  state,  who,  with 
the  Representatives,  had  the  State  Council  Degree  conferred  upon 
them.  In  the  report  of  the  Committee  on  Credentials  at  this  ses- 
sion, 62  Past  Councilors  were  named,  as  entitled  to  admission  and 
37  Representatives. 

Three  new  Councils  had  been  instituted,  making  27  in  all, 
while  the  membership  increased  from  1,850  to  2,081.  The  finances 
also  proportionately  advanced. 

The  Legislative  Committee  submitted  for  approval  a  petition 
to  be  laid  before  the  Constitutional  Convention  which  was  endorsed 
by  the  State  Council.     The  petition  asked, — 

1.  "  That  in  framing  the  new  Constitution  it  shall  expressly  declare 
and  prohibit  any  moneys  being  appropriated  for  sectarian  purposes. 

2.  "  That  all  public  schools  shall  be  opened  by  the  reading  of  the 
Holy  Bible  daily. 

3.  "  That  it  shall  be  the  imposed  duty  of  all  schools  in  the  State  to 
see  that  the  American  flag,  the  Stars  and  Stripes,  floats  over  every  school." 

The  following  were  declared  the  officers  for  the  ensuing  year : 

State  Councilor — Frank  M.  Jones, 
State  Vice-Councilor — J.  S.  Clark, 
State  Council  Secretary — W.  J.  Moreland, 
State  Council  Treasurer — W.  J.  Downey. 

An  effort  to  change  the  Constitution  providing  that  each  Coun- 
cil elect  but  one  Representative  instead  of  three,  as  then  in  vogue, 
and  that  the  mileage  and  per  diem  of  all  representatives  be  paid, 
met  with  defeat. 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  445 

1898 

The  Fifth  Annual  Session  was  held  at  Clayton,  February  15, 
1808,  with  State  Councilor  Frank  M.  Jones  presiding,  and  72  mem- 
bers answered  to  their  names  at  roll-call. 

During  the  year  the  State  Councilor  visited  every  Council  in 
the  state  once,  and  some  oftener,  and  traveled  3,210  miles  in  doing 
it.  The  membership  had  grown  to  2,234  and  the  finances  were  in  a 
healthy  condition. 

Without  question,  no  fuller  and  more  complete  reports  were 
made  to  any  State  Council  by  its  National  Representatives  than 
those  from  Delaware.  At  this  session  their  report  of  the  meeting 
of  the  National  Council  held  at  Pittsburg,  in  1897,  was  exception- 
ally interesting,  every  item  of  interest  having  been  noted.  The 
state  had  a  large  delegation  present  at  the  National  session,  viz. : 
National  Representatives  H.  H.  Billany,  F.  M.  Jones,  M.  N.  Wil- 
liams, H.  C.  Johnson  and  Melville  Thompson,  Past  National  Coun- 
cilor T.  C.  Appleby,  Past  State  Councilors  Messenger,  Pierson,  E.  S. 
Jones  and  Parker.  It  was  at  this  session  that  their  leader  and 
brother,  F.  W.  Pierson,  was  selected  as  National  Vice- Councilor, 
an  honor  Delaware  very  much  appreciated.  One  of  the  number 
who  had  gone  to  the  National  session  to  help  elect  their  favorite, 
Melville  Thompson,  a  few  days  following  the  session,  suddenly 
passed  away  to  the  Supreme  Council  on  High. 

The  session  closed  with  the  following  officers  at  the  helm : 

State  Councilor — J.  S.  Clark, 
State   Vice-Councilor — J.   N.   Anderson, 
State  Council  Secretary — W.  J.  Moreland, 
State  Council  Treasurer — W.  J.  Downey. 


1899 

Wilmington  opened  its  gates  to  the  State  Council,  which  met 
in  annual  session,  February  21,  1899,  State  Councilor  J.  S.  Clark 
in  the  Chair. 

The  system  of  voting  for  the  officers  and  place  of  meeting 
was  changed,  the  nominations  being  made  at  the  morning  session 
of  first  day  and  the  Secretary  was  instructed  to  have  the  list  of 
nominees  printed  on  ballot,  the  voter  to  cross  out  those  names  for 
which  he  did  not  vote. 

Seven  new  Councils  were  chartered  since  the  previous  session, 
and  in  visiting  his  Councils,  the  State  Councilor  traveled  3,852 


446  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

miles  and  visited  at  least  once  each  Council  in  the  state.  Accord- 
ing to  the  Keport  of  the  State  Councilor,  he  gave  permission  during 
the  year  for  Gustav  Bacharach,  of  Pennsylvania,  formerly  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Order,  to  distribute  a  circular  among  the  Councils  of 
Delaware  to  secure  funds  to  procure  a  flag  and  pole  to  be  erected 
at  the  Jewish  Farm  School,  located  at  Doylestown,  Pennsylvania. 
Why  Brother  Clark  gave  such  permission,  the  institution  being 
distinctly  sectarian,  it  is  difficult  to  conceive,  unless  he  was  deceived 
relative  to  the  character  of  the  institution. 

The  State  Council  Secretary  reported  a  membership  of  2,701, 
being  a  gain  of  400.  Brother  Clark  gave  an  admirable  administra- 
tion and  the  Order  made  great  advances  along  all  lines. 

The  subject  of  a  State  Council  Funeral  Benefit  Association 
was  elaborated  very  fully  by  the  Committee  having  the  proposition 
in  charge.  The  Committee,  after  careful  consideration,  deemed 
it  inadvisable  at  that  time  to  further  agitate  the  question,  claiming 
it  would  not  show  a  "  proper  fraternal  spirit  to  withdraw  from  the 
Funeral  Benefit  Association,  located  at  Philadelphia." 

The  Election  Board  reported  the  following,  the  results  of  the 
ballot : 

State  Councilor — J.  N.  Anderson, 

State   Vice-Councilor — C.    W.    King, 

State  Council  Secretary — W.  J.  Moreland, 

State  Council  Treasurer — W.  J.  Downey. 


1900 

In  Seventh  Annual  Session,  the  State  Council  convened  at 
Lewes,  February  20,  1900,  State  Councilor  Anderson  presiding. 
The  opening  exercises  were  of  a  very  interesting  character,  the 
Mayor  of  the  city,  Hon.  J.  T.  Thompson,  Dr.  Wm.  P.  Orr,  Presi- 
dent of  the  Board  of  Education,  and  Mr.  Charles  H.  Maull, 
President  of  the  Board  of  Trade,  extended  the  courteous  hospitali- 
ties of  their  home  city  to  the  distinguished  visitors.  Speeches  in 
response  were  made  by  National  Councilor  Charles  Keimer,  in 
behalf  of  the  Order,  and  General  I.  T.  Parker  and  Dr.  L.  S.  Con- 
well  in  behalf  of  the  State  Council. 

There  was  a  large  attendance,  many  Past  Councilors  being  pres- 
ent, one  of  the  features  of  Delaware  Juniorism,  as  before  referred 
to;  and  another  feature,  a  very  befitting  one,  was  to  record  the 
names  in  the  records  of  the  State  Council  of  all  the  members  of 
the  Order  who  had,  during  the  year,  passed  into  the  "  Great 
Beyond." 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  447 

The  State  Councilor  traveled  3,240  miles  in  order  to  officially 
visit  his  Councils  and  encourage  the  brotherhood.  Among  the  dis- 
pensations granted  we  notice  many  peculiarly  worded,  not  found 
in  any  other  State  Council,  "  to  initiate  strangers  for  the  sum," 
etc.     The  term,  however,  is  perfectly  applicable. 

In  the  very  excellent  report  of  the  State  Councilor,  we  came 
across  a  question  asked  of  him  somewhat  out  of  the  ordinary: 
Whether  the  Trustees  had  the  right  to  hold  keys  to  the  Recording 
Secretary's  desk  and  the  wardrobe?  The  State  Councilor  decided 
in  the  negative,  declaring  that  the  Recording  Secretary  and  War- 
den should,  respectively,  hold  the  keys.  The  recommendation  of 
the  State  Councilor  to  instruct  the  National  Representatives  to 
advocate  in  the  National  Council  the  adoption  of  a  three-degree 
Ritual,  was  concurred  in  by  the  State  Body. 

On  adopting  a  Ladies'  Auxiliary,  the  referendum  sent  down 
by  the  National  Council,  the  vote  stood  yeas  21,  nays  44. 

The  result  of  the  ballot  for  officers  was  as  follows : 

State  Councilor — C.  VV.  King, 
State  Vice-Councilor — G.  H.  Dick, 
State  Council  Secretary — W.  J.  Morel  and, 
State  Council  Treasurer — W.  J.  Downey. 


1901 

The  State  Council  of  Delaware  met  in  annual  session,  the 
Eighth  in  number,  at  Laurel,  February  20,  1901,  State  Councilor 
King  in  the  Chair.  More  than  100  answered  to  roll-call.  One  new 
Council  was  chartered  during  the  year,  but  one  disbanded,  leaving 
the  number  the  same  as  previous  year,  36.  An  increase  in  member- 
ship of  285  was  reported. 

The  question  of  establishing  a  State  Funeral  Benefit  Associa- 
tion was  brought  to  a  final  consummation  at  this  session.  A  pro- 
posal for  a  statute  to  create  such  an  association  was  submitted,  but 
the  statute  was  declared  unconstitutional  by  the  State  Councilor, 
on  a  point  of  order  being  raised.  The  Association,  however,  was 
established  without  a  statute. 

The  proposed  amendments  to  the  National  Council  Constitu- 
tion and  Laws  were  adopted,  as  per  recommendations,  by  very 
nearly  an  unanimous  vote,  with  the  exception  of  Biennial  Sessions 
of  that  body,  which  was  defeated  by  a  vote  86  to  2. 

A  proposal  for  a  statute  to  amend  the  State  Council  Consti- 
tution that  all  Past  Councilors  be  entitled  to  a  seat  in  the  meetings 
of  the  State  Council  and  a  voice  upon  the  floor,  but  not  to  be  per- 


448  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

mitted  to  vote  on  any  question  coming  before  the  body,  was  referred 
to  the  Law  Committee,  and  acting  upon  their  report,  it  was  defeated 
by  a  vote  27  yeas  to  53  nays. 

The  officers  selected  to  look  after  the  affairs  of  the  Order  were : 

State  Councilor — Geo.  H.  Dick, 
State   Vice-Councilor — J.   W.   Robertson, 
State  Council  Secretary — W.  J.  Morel  and, 
State  Council  Treasurer — W.  J.  Downey. 


1902 

State  Councilor  Geo.  H.  Dick  presided  over  the  Ninth  Annual 
Session  of  the  State  Council,  held  at  Delaware  City,  February  18, 
1902. 

During  the  year  permission  was  granted  by  the  Board  of 
Officers  for  a  petition  to  be  sent  to  the  Councils  of  the  state  asking 
for  a  contribution  to  be  given  the  Committee,  in  the  name  of  the 
Jr.  0.  U.  A.  M.,  having  charge  of  the  erection  of  Cooch's  Memorial 
Monument,  at  Cooch's  Bridge,  Delaware,  in  commemoration  of 
the  fact  of  the  first  unfurling  of  the  American  flag  in  battle  during 
the  combat  between  the  British  and  Americans,  September  3,  1777. 
The  sum  of  $75  was  contributed,  more  than  any  other  organization 
in  the  state.    The  monument  was  unveiled  September  3,  1901. 

As  stated  by  the  State  officers,  while  the  number  of  Councils 
remained  the  same,  the  membership  increased  nearly  200.  The 
running  expenses  of  the  State  Council  was  $2,623.02,  of  which 
$1,218.84  was  for  National  Council  per  capita  tax,  on  a  60-cent 
basis,  and  $100  for  State  Secretary's  salary. 

The  recommendation  to  change  the  time  of  the  meeting  of 
the  State  Council  from  the  third  Tuesday  in  February  to  the  third 
Tuesday  in  May,  was  defeated.  A  motion  to  hold  all  meetings  of  the 
State  Body  in  Wilmington  and  the  State  Council  to  pay  the  expenses 
of  the  Representatives,  was  laid  on  the  table  indefinitely.  A  reso- 
lution to  confer  the  honors  of  Past  State  Councilor  on  Brothers 
W.  J.  Moreland  and  W.  J.  Downey,  Secretary  and  Treasurer  of  the 
State  Council,  was  referred  to  the  National  Council  for  action. 

The  Election  Board  announced  the  following  as  the  result  of 
the  election  of  officers:  . 

State  Councilor — J.  W.  Robertson, 
State   Vice-Councilor — J.  A.   Ellegood, 
State  Council  Secretary — W.  J.  Moreland, 
State  Council  Treasurer — W.  J.  Downey. 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  449 

1903 

For  the  tenth  time  the  State  Council  met  in  annual  session, 
holding  its  meeting  at  Wilmington,  February  17,  1903,  with  State 
Councilor  J.  W.  Robertson  in  the  Chair. 

Gratifying  reports  of  the  advance  of  the  Order  were  submitted, 
showing  a  gain  in  members  of  nearly  500,  there  being  in  all  4,038. 
Four  new  Councils  were  chartered  during  the  year.  There  was 
quite  a  mortality  among  the  Subordinate  members  since  the  last 
session,  30  having  passed  away.  Twenty-nine  death  claims  were 
paid  by  the  "Death  Benefit  Association"  of  Delaware.  Another 
effort  to  change  the  time  of  the  meeting  of  the  State  Council  was 
defeated. 

A  subject,  out  of  the  usual  order,  came  up  at  this  session — that 
of  a  resolution  favoring  the  submission  to  the  voters  of  the  state 
the  question  of  a  Local  Option  Law.  On  an  aye  and  nay  vote  the 
resolution  stood  yeas  68,  na}^s  42.  A  resolution  favoring  the  con- 
solidation of  small  school  districts  in  the  state,  was  also  adopted. 

In  the  election  of  officers,  the  following  was  the  result: 
State  Councilor — J.  A.  Ellegood, 
State   Vice-Councilor — A.   M.   Thomas, 
State  Council  Secretary — W.  J.  Moreland, 
State  Council  Treasurer — W.  J.  Downey. 


1904 

The  Eleventh  Annual  Session  was  held  at  Dover,  February  16, 
1904,  with  State  Councilor  Ellegood  presiding.  The  year  witnessed 
one  new  Council  launched  into  existence  and  a  gain  in  membership 
of  300.  The  prize  of  a  flag  offered  as  an  inducement  to  the  Council 
making  the  greatest  gain  in  percentage  was  won  by  Stars  and 
Stripes  Council,  No.  26,  it  having  made  a  gain  of  110  per  cent. 

As  per  resolution  passed  at  last  session,  a  committee  had  been 
appointed  to  procure  a  present  for  the  then  retiring  State  Councilor, 
Brother  J.  W.  Robertson.  The  committee  carried  out  the  wishes 
of  the  body  and  at  this  session  presented  Brother  Robertson  with  a 
casket  of  silver,  and  a  duplicate  of  same  was  also  procured  for  the 
retiring  State  Councilor,  Brother  Ellegood,  and  presented  him,  and 
the  recommendation  of  the  committee  that  the  custom  be  continued 
with  each  retiring  State  Councilor,  was  adopted. 

State  Councilor — A.  M.  Thomas, 
State   Vice-Councilor— M.   N.   Willetts, 
State  Council  Secretary — W.  J.  Moreland, 
State  Council  Treasurer — W.  J.  Downey. 

29 


450  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

1905 

State  Councilor  Thomas  presided  over  the  Twelfth  Annual 
Session  of  the  State  Council,  held  at  Wilmington,  February  21, 
1905. 

A  review  of  the  five  years'  work  of  the  "  Death  Benefit  Associa- 
tion "  of  Delaware,  showed  that  the  same  had  been  conducted  satis- 
factory. In  that  period  the  Councils  of  the  state  had  paid  into  the 
Association  $28,122.73,  and  death  claims  of  $250  each  had  been 
paid  amounting  to  $24,500.  The  expenses  during  this  time 
amounted  to  $1,599.43.  The  average  monthly  cost  of  the  Associa- 
tion to  the  Councils  was  $27.76,  or  4-5  of  a  cent  per  member  per 
month. 

Officers  elected  for  the  ensuing  year  were : 

State  Councilor— M.  N.  Willetts, 
State  Vice-Councilor — Joseph  M.  Lank, 
State  Council  Secretary — W.  J.  Moreland, 
State  Council  Treasurer — W.  J.  Downey. 


1906 

We  close  the  story  of  "  Little  Delaware,"  small  for  its  size, 
geographically,  but  not  small  by  any  means  in  its  standing  in  the 
Order  and  work  along  the  line  of  the  organization,  with  the  Thir- 
teenth Annual  Session  of  its  State  Council,  held  at  Laurel,  Febru- 
ary 20,  1906,  with  State  Councilor  Willets  in  the  Chair. 

The  attendance  was  large  and  the  interest,  as  usual,  was  great, 
while  the  business  was  transacted  in  the  same  methodical  manner. 
The  reports  of  the  State  officers  were  very  cheering,  showing,  not 
only  a  healthy  condition  of  the  Order,  but  an  advance  along  all 
lines.  One  new  Council  had  been  added,  making  42  in  all.  The 
State  Councilor  said,  what  no  other  State  Councilor,  doubtless, 
could  say,  that  he  had  visited  every  one  of  the  Jj.2  Councils  in  the 
state  during  the  year  and  found  them  all  doing  well  and  growing. 
Much  of  the  credit  for  this  splendid  condition  of  the  Order 
in  Delaware  is  due  the  fact  that  it  was  made  a  requirement  of  the 
State  Councilor  to  visit  each  Council  at  least  once  during  his  term 
of  office;  and  with  but  few  exceptions  this  rule  was  carried  out  by 
the  State  Councilors  of  the  state. 

The  standing  of  the  Order  was  submitted  by  the  Secretary  of 
the  State  Council,  and  is  as  follows: 

Number    of    Councils 42 

Number   of   Members 4448 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  451 

RANK    OF    MEMBERSHIP 

Past  National  Councilors 2 

Past  State  Councilors 12 

Past    Councilors    707 

Junior  Members    3729 

Receipts   of   Subordinate   Councils $36,090.33 

Paid    for    Relief $10,280.72 

Paid  for  Burying  the  Dead 5,659.97 

Current  Expenses    19,287.66 

$35,234.35 

Worth  of  Councils $48,139.06 

Receipts  of  State  Council $3,647.58 

Expenditures    3,178.21 

Amount  per  capita  tax  National  Council $1,916.20 

Per  capita  tax  per  member,  sixty-four  cents. 

Pursuant  to  the  power  granted  State  Councils  by  authority  of 
the  National  Council,  the  honors  of  Past  State  Councilor  were 
conferred  upon  State  Council  Secretary  W.  J.  Moreland  and  State 
Council  Treasurer  W.  J.  Downey.  These  two  honored  and  trusty 
brethren,  from  the  institution  of  the  State  Council  of  Delaware, 
and  for  13  years,  served  in  their  respective  positions.  It  is  needless 
to  state  that  Brothers  Moreland  and  Downey  gave  most  excellent 
and  satisfactory  services,  since  from  year  to  year  they  were  unani- 
mously reelected,  a  self-evident  fact  of  the  confidence  and  esteem 
in  which  they  were  held  by  the  brethren. 

In  the  election  of  officers,  120  votes  were  cast,  resulting  as 
follows : 

State  Councilor — J.  M.  Lank, 

State   Vice-Councilor — B.    F.    Simmons, 

State  Council  Secretary — W.  J.  Moreland, 

State  Treasurer — W.  J.  Downey, 

State  Council  Conductor — C.  B.  McCallum, 

State  Council  Warden — W.  B.  Johnson, 

State  Council  Sentinels — M.  F.  Callaway  and  Charles  B.  Nobb, 

State  Council  Chaplain — Thomas  M.  Hudson. 

We  have  read  with  much  interest  the  printed  proceedings  of 
the  State  Council  of  Delaware,  and  can  commend  same  for  neatness 
and  several  unique  features  not  often  found  in  the  proceedings  of 
other  State  Councils.  The  Past  Councilors  of  each  Council  are 
given  in  compendious  form,  a  very  commendable  feature.  The 
Memorial  pages  given  to  those  in  the  Subordinate  Councils  who 
have  died  each  year  is  found  in  the  proceedings  of  but  few  other 
State  Councils,  so  far  as  we  have  seen. 


452  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

Delaware  Juniorism  is  composed  of  a  splendid  class  of  men, 
active,  enthusiastic  and  faithful.  Her  leaders  are  intelligent, 
honorable  and  true.  Standing  at  the  head  of  the  organization — the 
Nestor  of  Delaware — one  who  was  a  potent  factor  in  the  first  State 
Council,  is  Past  National  Councilor  T.  C.  Appleby,  loved  and 
esteemed  by  all.  Then  follows  another  of  Delaware's  favorite  sons, 
Past  National  Councilor  F.  W.  Pierson,  equally  respected  by  his 
brethren.  Her  Past  State  Councilors  are  exceptionally  strong  men, 
and  have  had  a  prominent  part  in  shaping  the  policy  of  the  Order 
in  the  state  and  pushing  forward  the  cause  of  patriotism  through- 
out the  Commonwealth :  E.  S.  Jones,  Frank  M.  Jones,  Wm.  H. 
Hanna,  F.  R.  Householder,  I.  T.  Parker,  J.  S.  Clark,  J.  N.  Ander- 
son, Chas.  W.  King,  Geo.  H.  Dick,  Jas.  W.  Robertson,  J.  A.  Elle- 
good,  A.  M.  Thomas,  M.  N.  "Willits,  and  State  Council  Secretary 
W.  J.  Moreland  and  State  Council  Treasurer  W.  J.  Downey,  being 
Past  State  Councilors  by  honors  conferred.  Of  the  above  list  of 
State  Councilors,  but  one,  Brother  Wm.  H.  Hanna,  belongs  to 
"  antiquity,"  he  having  served  as  State  Councilor  in  the  earlier 
period  of  the  first  State  Council,  and  with  Brother  Appleby,  are 
the  "  landmarks  "  of  primitive  Juniorism. 

Others  besides  Past  National  and  Past  State  Councilors  have 
left  imprints  upon  Delaware  Juniorism.  Among  those  who  might 
be  mentioned  are  H.  H.  Billany  and  Dr.  L.  S.  Conwell,  well  known 
in  the  annals  of  the  National  Council.  The  "  wheel  horses  "  now 
in  harness  (1906)  are  making  their  record, — Brothers  State  Coun- 
cilor J.  M.  Lank  and  State  Vice-Councilor  B.  F.  Simmons  are 
forging  ahead,  keeping  abreast  of  the  onward  wave  and  will  soon 
take  their  place  with  the  honored  men  who  have  preceded  them. 


CHAPTER    XXVII 
PROCEEDINGS  OF  STATE  COUNCILS  (Continued) 

DISTRICT   OF   COLUMBIA 

EARLY  in  the  history  of  the  organization,  the  banner  of  Junior- 
ism  was  raised  within  the  District  of  Columbia,  the  Capital 
of  the  Nation,  in  the  institution  of  Columbia  Council,  No.  1,  March, 
1875,  by  B.  T.  Miller.  This  Council  stood  alone  until  1884,  when 
Golden  Rule  Council,  No.  2,  was  instituted.  Geographically,  the 
Councils  of  the  District  were  placed  under  the  supervision  of  the 
State  Council  of  Virginia  by  the  National  Council,  June  15,  1885, 
and  continued  under  this  jurisdiction  until  the  National  Council, 
at  its  session  of  1894,  granted  a  charter  for  the  State  Council  of 
the  District  of  Columbia,  which  was  instituted  August  13,  of  same 
year. 

The  following  officers  were  elected : 

Jr.  Past  State  Councilor — H.   F.  Steel, 
State  Councilor— W.   W.   Hall,  Jr., 
State  Vice-Councilor — Henry  F.  Adams, 
State  Council   Secretary — W.  L.   Boyden. 

II.  F.  Adams,  J.  W.  Milstead,  M.  P.  Imlay,  E.  A.  Reid  and 
J.  H.  Cunningham  were  named  as  Representatives  to  the  National 
Council,  the  latter  of  whom  was  in  attendance  at  Omaha,  Nebraska, 
June,  1895. 

From  1895  to  1898,  the  following  State  Councilors  presided 
over  the  State  Council  of  the  District  of  Columbia:  W.  W.  Hall, 
Thomas  P.  Moore  and  John  D.  Schofield.  The  standing  of  the 
State  Council  for  year  ending  December  31,  1898,  was  as  follows: 

Number    of    Councils 21 

Number  of   Members    1,671 

Received   by    Subordinate    Councils $17,157.51 

Paid   for   Relief    7,447.22 

Worth    of    Councils     6,332.71 

The  report  as  above  given  indicates  that  the  Order  made  splen- 
did progress  during  its  few  years  of  independence ;  but  the  "  parting 
of  the  ways  "  in  1899,  brought  disaster  to  the  Order,  and  the  Dis- 
trict of  Columbia  was  the  first  to  refuse  the  mandates  of  the  Na- 
tional Council,  passing  a  resolution  citing  alleged  grievances  at 

453 


454  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

the  hands  of  the  National  Body,  and  refusing  to  pay  the  National 
Council  per  canita  tax ;  winch  attitude  of  defiance  brought  the  State 
Council  to  the  bar  of  the  National  Judiciary  on  charges  of  insub- 
ordination preferred  by  the  National  Councilor,  and  after  due  trial, 
the  charter  of  the  State  Body  was  suspended  and  finally  revoked. 

Three  Councils,  however,  remained  true  to  the  National  Coun- 
cil, Nos.  10,  16  and  46,  which,  according  to  the  statistical  report 
for  vear  ending  December  31,  1901,  aggregated  a  membership 
of  337. 

Sometime  in  1903,  a  new  State  Council  was  instituted,  there 
being  five  loyal  Councils  in  the  District,  and  the  following  officers 
were  selected  to  direct  the  same: 

Jr.  Past  State  Councilor— C.  W.  Magill, 

State  Councilor — Alex.  J.  Yowell, 

State  Vice-Councilor — C.    0.    Bohrer, 

State  Council    Secretary — John   E.    Smallwood, 

State  Council    Treasurer — T.    M.    Bowling. 

Past  State  Councilors  loyal  to  the  National  Body  were  H.  F. 
Steel  and  A.  W.  Shrink.  Brother  C.  0.  Bohrer  was  elected  National 
Representative  and  was  in  attendance  at  the  session  in  May,  1903, 
at  San  Francisco. 

The  unhappy  strife  within  the  District  where  two-thirds  of  the 
original  Councils  still  continued  insurgent,  and  being  so  compacted, 
found  the  new  organization  handicapped  from  the  start  by  environ- 
ments difficult  to  surmount,  hence  the  progress  of  the  Order  in  the 
District  has  been  very  slow. 

The  report  for  the  year  ending  December  31,  1903,  showed 
the  following: 

Number   of   Councils    5 

Number    of    Members    611 

Received   by    Subordinate    Councils $6,106.11 

Paid   for   Relief    5,054.97 

Worth    of    Councils     1,523.89 


FLORIDA 


On  the  23d  day  of  November,  1889,  the  Order  was  planted 
in  the  State  of  Florida,  by  the  institution  of  Orange  Council,  No.  1, 
at  Bartow.  For  years,  according  to  Deemer's  History,  the  Council 
did  well,  but  losing  by  death  a  very  prominent  member,  the  Council 
soon  declined  and  finally  died.  Another  effort  was  made  in  1894, 
when,  on  January  4,  Special  Organizer  Thos.  B.  Ivey  instituted  San 


UNITED  AMERICAN   MECHANICS  455 

Marco  Council,  No.  1,  which  was  followed  by  Washington  Council, 
No.  2,  on  the  16th  of  May,  same  year.  Council  No.  1,  however, 
only  continued  to  live,  reporting  each  year  to  the  National  Secretary 
about  the  same  number  of  members,  until  1899,  when  it,  too. 
succumbed. 

No  effort  was  made  to  resuscitate  the  Order  until  190-1,  when 
National  Councilor  W.  E.  Faison  appointed  John  E.  Bridgers 
Special  Organizer  for  Florida,  who  commenced  work  sometime 
in  the  fall  of  the  same  year  and  instituted  a  number  of  Councils; 
whereupon  on  February  16,  1905,  assisted  by  Junior  Past  Na- 
tional Councilor  Dr.  Cooper  and  Stephen  Collins,  Brother  Faison 
instituted  the  State  Council  of  Florida  at  Tallahassee,  with  11 
Councils  and  275  members.  The  National  Councilor  spoke  very 
highly  of  the  very  efficient  work  of  Special  Organizer  Bridgers  and 
the  success  he  attained  in  Florida. 

The  officers  of  the  new  State  Council  were  elected  as  follows : 

Jr.  Past  State  Councilor — Dr.  A.  L.  Green, 
State  Councilor — Dr.   W.   F.   Marian, 
State  Vice-Councilor — Joe  H.   Gray, 
State  Council   Secretary — A.   D.   Zachary, 
State  Council   Treasurer — Curtis   E.  Roberts. 

The  following  Councils  were  instituted  by  Special  Organizer 
Bridgers,  as  above  referred  to : 

Old   South   Council,   No.   1,   at  Tallahassee,   instituted   December   30, 

1904. 
Gen.  Allison  Council,  No.  2,  at  Quincy,  January  2,   1905. 
Sopchoppy  Council,  No.  3,  at  Sopchoppy,  January  6,  1905. 
Jefferson  Council,  No.  4,  at  Monticello.  January  16,  1905. 
Madison  Council,  No.  5,  at  Madison,  January  24,  1905. 
Greenville  Council,  No.  6,  at  Greenville,  January  27,  1905. 
Lake  City  Council,  No.  7,  at  Lake  City,  January  31,  1905. 
Hamilton   Council,   No.    8,   at  Jasper,   February   20,    1905. 
White  Springs  Council,  No.  9,  at  White  Springs,  February  21,  1905. 
Bay  City  Council,  No.   10,  at  Apalachicola,  March  10,  1905. 
Gulf  City  Council,  No.   11,  at  Carrabelle,  March   17,   1905. 


GEORGIA 


Special  Deputy  National  Councilor  Thos.  B.  Ivey  introduced 
the  Jr.  O.  U.  A.  M.  into  the  State  of  Georgia  by  the  institution  of 
Enterprise  Council,  No.  1,  in  April  of  1893.  This  was  followed  by 
Resolution  Council,  No.  2,  in  August  of  same  year;  Augusta,  No.  3, 
in  month  of  April,  1894,  and  South  Atlanta  Council,  No.  1,  in 
May  same  year,  all  instituted  by  Thos.  B.  Ivey.     In  1891  Stephen 


±56  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

Collins,  as  National  Organizer,  found  his  way  into  the  state,  and 
on  June  4,  he  instituted  Gate  City,  No.  5,  and  on  the  day  following, 
June  5,  1894,  he  instituted  the  State  Council  of  Georgia. 

The  State  Council  was  placed  in  charge  of  the  following 
officers : 

Jr.  Past  State  Councilor — E.  R.  Dillingham, 

State  Councilor — W.   F.   Speas, 

State  Vice-Councilor — W.  R.  Rawson, 

State  Councilor  Secretary — Dr.  A.  P.  Ebbert. 

E.  E.  Dillingham,  W.  R.  Eawson,  W.  F.  Speas,  Dr.  A.  P. 
Ebbert  and  H.  J.  Shannen  were  selected  to  represent  the  State 
Council  in  the  National  Council. 

The  standing  of  the  State  Body  at  the  close  of  same  year,  1894, 
was: 

Number   of   Councils    6 

Number    of    Members    186 

Regretting  our  inability  to  obtain  data  sufficient  to  give  a 
resume  of  the  history  of  the  State  Council,  we  insert  merely  such 
facts  obtained  from  other  and  very  limited  sources.  Those  who 
presided  over  the  State  Council  subsequent  to  the  institution  of  same 
are  the  following:  W.  R.  Rawson,  P.  C.  Smith,  Dr.  A.  P.  Ebbert, 
H.  J.  Shannen,  C.  C.  LeBey,  C.  D.  Comstock,  A.  Monroe,  W.  F. 
Grubbs,  W.  Lee  Simmons,  W.  R,  Holman,  A.  G.  Martin  and  W.  H. 
Moxley. 

The  officers  having  supervision  of  the  Order  in  the  state, 
1904-1905  were  the  following: 

Jr.   Past  State  Councilor — W.   R.   Holman, 
State  Councilor — A.  G.  Martin, 
State  Vice-Councilor — W.   H.   Moxley, 
State  Council  Secretary — E.  R.  Dillingham, 
State  Council  Treasurer — 0.  H.  Puckett. 

The  standing  of  the  State  Council  for  year  ending  December 

1,  1 904,  was  as  follows : 

Number    of    Councils 25 

Number    of    Members 2,382 

Received   by   Subordinate    Councils $22,489.34 

Paid    for    Relief 2,740.20 

Worth    of    Councils 3,666.03 

Georgia  has  produced  some  good  men  in  Juniorism,  some  of 
them  being  quite  prominent  in  the  National  Body.  E.  R.  Dilling- 
ham everyone  knows,  who  has  attended  the  National  Council  for 
the  last  ten  years,  now  (1907)  serving  as  a  member  of  the  Board 


UNITED  AMERICAN   MECHANICS  457 

of  Control,  Beneficiary  Degree,  who  has  for  years  been  the  State 
Council  "Scribe"  and  the  leader  in  his  state.  II.  Y.  Garrett  is 
also  favorably  known  in  the  National  Body,  as  an  earnest  and  faith- 
ful member.  H.  J.  Shannen  stands  well  with  his  brethren,  and  also 
faithfully  represented  his  State  Council  in  the  higher  body. 

One  whose  standing  in  his  own  State  Council  was  so  marked, 
that  for  two  terms  he  was  asked  to  preside  over  the  body,  and  whose 
entire  being  was  surcharged  with  patriotism,  intelligent  and  en- 
thusiastic, has  been  transferred  to  the  Supreme  Council  above  since 
the  Nashville  session  of  the  National  Council.  We  refer  to  the  late 
Past  State  Councilor  A.  G.  Martin,  whose  presence  at  the  Nashville 
session  was  an  inspiration  to  all.  Others  whom  Georgia  has  hon- 
ored and  who  have  given  good  service  to  the  Order  might  be  named, 
viz. :  Past  State  Councilor  W.  E.  Holman,  C.  D.  Comstock,  J.  R. 
Stofer,  C.  C.  LeBey  and  W.  F.  Grubbs;  Past  National  Represen- 
tatives 0.  H.  Starnes,  R.  W.  Wood  and  G.  W.  Payne. 

The  future  of  Georgia  Juniorism  is  bright.  It  is  the  writer's 
expectation  to  see  the  state  beyond  the  10,000  mark  within  the 
next  decade. 

Since  writing  the  above  the  proceedings  of  the  session  of  1906 
have  been  placed  in  our  hands,  it  being  the  Thirteenth  Annual  Meet- 
ing, held  at  Augusta,  September  11  and  12,  with  State  Councilor 
Moxley  in  the  Chair,  there  being  about  100  members  in  attendance. 
The  standing  of  the  Order  showed  41  Councils  and  a  membership 
of  4,088,  a  gain  for  the  year  of  nine  Councils  and  1,039  members. 

A  very  pleasing  incident  occurred  during  the  session.  The 
National  Board  of  Officers  having  offered  a  prize  of  a  flag  for  the 
largest  increase  in  membership  and  a  banner  for  the  largest  percen- 
tage of  increase,  the  winners  of  both  prizes  came  to  Griffin  Council, 
No.  4,  of  Georgia,  their  increase  being  83  and  their  percentage  of 
increase  being  48.  To  Junior  Past  National  Councilor  W.  E. 
Faison  was  given  the  honor  of  presenting  the  Council  with  the 
prizes  which  he  did  in  well  chosen  words.  In  closing  his  speech, 
Brother  Faison  said : 

"  You  have  done  nobly,  and  your  reward  is  sure :  for  it  consists 
not  alone  in  this  flag  and  this  banner  as  intrinsic  tokens,  but  in  all 
that  they  must  mean  to  you  and  to  yours  in  the  years  that  are  to 
come.  This  beautiful  emblem,  the  flag  of  our  country,  will  fade  with 
the  years — this  banner,  likewise,  will  decay — its  golden  inscription  will 
tarnish — and  the  day  will  come  when  it  must  remain  only  as  a  memory. 
But  the  inspiration  which  is  yours  to-day  because  of  having  won  these 
fair  emblems  will  never  perish. 


458  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

"  When  the  youngest  member  on  your  rolls  to-day  shall  have 
reached  his  three-score-and-ten — aye,  when  not  a  single  one  whose  heart 
to-day  swells  with  joy  and  pride  as  his  Council  receives  these  prizes, 
shall  remain  among  men — even  when  the  youngest  and  the  strongest 
among  you  shall  have  passed  beyond  the  struggles  and  pursuits  of  this 
life,  and  entered  into  the  enjoyment  of  the  prize  of  the  high  calling  of 
God,  then  shall  the  inspiration  which  these  emblems  awake  in  your 
hearts  to-day  but  begin  to  find  their  glorious  fruition  in  the  labors  of 
those  who  are  to  come  after  you. 

"  Not  for  their  intrinsic  worth  or  value  did  you  strive,  but  for  the 
honor  which  would  be  yours.  Even  as  the  victor  of  old  received  a  laurel 
wreath,  so  to  you  this  flag  and  this  banner  are  but  the  tangible  tokens 
of  the  honor  which  is  yours  to-day.  They  are  yours  to  love  and  cherish 
while  you  live,  and  to  bequeath  as  a  rich  heritage  to  those  who  shall 
take  your  places  around  our  sacred  altar.  May  they  be  to  you  a  never 
failing  argument  for  nobler  deeds,  for  higher  thoughts,  for  grander 
achievements,  and  when  the  last  vestige  of  their  beauty  and  grace  shall 
have  faded  before  the  inexorable  march  of  time,  may  those  things  which 
they  symbolize,  and  which  mean  so  much  to  our  beloved  Order,  be  so 
indelibly  impressed  upon  the  hearts  and  minds  of  those  who  are  to  come 
after  you,  that  the  day  may  never  dawn  when  Griffin  Council,  No.  4,  shall 
forget  this  proud  hour." 

After  a  pleasant  and  harmonious  session,  the  State  Council 
closed  with  the  installation  of  the  following  list  of  officers : 

State  Councilor — M.  H.  Abbott, 
State  Vice-Councilor— Geo.   F.   Otto, 
State  Council  Treasurer — 0.    H.   Puckett, 
State   Council   Warden — M.   J.   James. 


ILLINOIS 


To  Past  State  Councilor  Leroy  Van  Horn,  of  Ohio,  belongs 
the  credit  of  introducing  the  Order  into  the  "  Prairie  State/'  having 
removed  to  the  City  of  Chicago  soon  after  his  connection  with  the 
Order  in  his  native  state.  A  charter  having  been  granted  Chicago 
Council,  No.  1,  May  21,  1888,  with  12  applicants,  Brother  Van- 
Horn  instituted  the  same.  This  was  followed  by  a  charter  being 
granted  Reliance  Council,  No.  2,  at  Alton,  with  16  applicants,  on 
June  20,  1888,  and  one  for  Geo.  Washington,  No.  3,  on  April  18, 
1889,  located  in  the  City  of  Chicago. 

Past  State  Councilor  F.  J.  Shaler,  formerly  a  member  of  Iron 
City  Council,  No.  171,  Pennsylvania,  having  removed  to  Chicago, 
entered  heartily  into  the  work  of  promulgating  the  Objects  and 
Principles  of  the  Order  in  his  new  field  of  operations  and  repre- 
sented the  Councils  of  the  state  at  the  session  of  the  National  Coun- 
cil held  at  Harrisburg,  Pa.,  June,  1889.     At  the  earnest  solicitation 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  459 

of  Brother  Shaler,  the  National  Council  agreed  to  meet  in  Chicago, 
in  1890.  In  the  meantime,  Chicago  Council,  No.  1,  must  have  dis- 
banded, as  a  charter  was  granted  to  Franklin  Council,  No.  1,  of 
Chicago,  and  same  was  instituted  in  1889,  with  33  applicants, 
Brother  Shaler  being  the  instituting  officer.  On  October  10,  1889, 
the  National  Councilor  notified  Chicago  Council  that  unless  the 
Council  resumed  its  meetings  the  charter  would  be  taken  from 
them,  which  undoubtedly  was  done,  as  it  was  in  November  (12th) 
following  that  Franklin  Council  was  instituted.  This  was  followed 
by  Lincoln  Council,  No.  4,  and  on  November  26,  1889,  by  the 
application  of  four  Councils  a  charter  was  granted  for  the  State 
Council  of  Illinois,  December  6,  1889,  which  was  duly  instituted 
by  Deputy  National  Councilor  F.  J.  Shaler,  December  10,  1889, 
he  being  the  Jr.  Past  State  Councilor  of  the  new  organization  and 
Jos.  S.  Beynolds  was  elected  State  Councilor. 

Brother  Shaler  rendered  the  Order  great  service  in  the  state, 
being  the  leading  spirit  in  the  organization.  During  his  term  as 
Deputy  National  Councilor,  the  Order  increased  from  one  Council 
to  10,  and  the  membership  from  32  to  500. 

The  session  of  the  National  Council  held  in  Chicago,  in  1890, 
gave  great  impetus  to  the  Order  and  brought  it  prominently  before 
the  public.  In  fact  the  National  Council  was  an  advertisement 
for  the  Order,  and  quite  elaborate  preparations  were  made  to  enter- 
tain the  body;  and  to  such  an  extent  had  the  little  band  gone  in 
advertising  the  Order,  that  to  help  them  out,  $500  was  donated  by 
the  National  Council  towards  defraying  the  expenses. 

Never  in  the  history  of  any  state  had  there  been  such  promise 
of  success  as  in  the  State  of  Illinois;  but  internal  strife  soon  ap- 
peared and  nearly  wrecked  the  organization,  having  at  one  time 
nearly  2,000  members.  At  a  session  of  the  State  Body  held  in 
Chicago,  February  22,  1892,  a  resolution  annulling  the  proceedings 
of  a  session  held  at  Galesburg  six  months  previous,  was  adopted. 
This  action  caused  a  split  in  the  body,  a  portion  of  whom  left  the 
hall  and  repaired  to  another  place  and  there  elected  their  own 
officers,  thereby  creating  two  State  Councils,  each  claiming  recog- 
nition from  the  higher  body. 

The  controversy  being  brought  to  the  attention  of  National 
Councilor  Boblits,  that  officer  issued  a  proclamation  making  it 
mandatory  to  recognize  as, the  true  State  Council,  the  body  that 
remained  in  the  hall  on  the  said  22d  of  February,  1892;  in  other 
words,  the  officers  that  were  installed  by  Deputy  National  Councilor 
Shaler  were  recognized,  and  all  Councils  were  commanded  to  pay 


460  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

per  capita  tax  to  State  Council  Secretary  Jos.  S.  Reynolds,  which 
action  of  the  National  Councilor  was  approved  by  the  National 
Council  at  its  next  session. 

Deputy  National  Councilor  F.  J.  Shaler,  in  his  report  to  the 
National  Council,  gives  a  resume  of  the  status  of  the  State  Council 
at  this  unfortunate  period,  which  was  accepted  by  the  National 
body  as  a  true  and  correct  statement.  It  was  claimed  that  tbe  semi- 
annual session  of  the  State  Council  held  at  Galesburg  placed  at 
the  head  of  the  organization  incompetent  men  whose  indifference 
to  their  duties  had  brought  about  the  disbanding  of  several  Coun- 
cils ;  and  it  was  also  alleged  that  one  third  of  the  Eepresentatives 
at  the  session  were  not  qualified. 

When  the  annual  session  convened  Fehruasy  22,  1892,  Past 
State  Councilor  Jos.  S.  Bej'nolds  moved  that  the  officers  illegally 
elected  at  Galesburg  vacate  the  chairs.  This  precipitated  a  bitter 
discussion,  and  when  brought  to  a  vote,  25  voted  in  the  affirmative 
and  11  in  the  negative.  Brother  Shaler,  as  Senior  Past  State 
Councilor,  took  the  Chair  and  called  for  order,  begging  the  Eepre- 
sentatives to  remain;  however,  the  insurgents  left  the  room  and, 
as  before  stated,  repaired  to  another  hall  and  continued  the  business 
of  the  session  under  the  direction  of  the  old  officers,  or  rather 
those  who  had  illegally  been  elected  at  Galesburg.  Those  who 
remained  organized  and  elected  their  officers,  claiming  to  be  the 
true  State  Council. 

The  officers  elected  were  the  following: 

State  Councilor — Representative  Goldstein, 
State  Vice-Councilor — Representative  Coen, 
State  Council  Secretary — Jos.  S.  Reynolds. 

The  officers  for  the  ensuing  year  were  as  follows: 

Jr.   Past   State   Councilor — H.   J.   Goldstein, 

State  Councilor — S.  J.   Coen, 

State  Vice-Councilor — R.  R.  Hearn, 

State  Council  Secretary — Jos.   S.   Reynolds, 

State  Council  Treasurer — Representative  Rowan. 

and  they  were  installed  by  Brother  Shaler.  The  officers  of  the 
other  body  were  installed  by  Leroy  VanHorn,  of  Ohio.  As  a  result 
of  this  dissension,  10  Councils  disbanded  and  scores  of  members 
dropped  out  of  the  Order. 

While  the  Order  did  regain  some  of  its  lost  ground,  still  the 
effect  of  the  split  finally  brought  a  retrograde  movement  and  the 
Order  had  a  struggle  to  exist.  Having  received  no  data  from  the 
State  Secretary,  we  are  unable  to  give  further  facts  concerning 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  461 

the  State  Council,  hence  will  conclude  this  sketch  by  inserting  the 
standing  of  the  Order  in  the  state  for  the  year  ending  December 
31,  1904: 

Number   of    Councils 5 

Number    of    Members 252 

Received    by    Subordinate    Councils $1,530.35 

Paid    for    Relief 254.26 

Worth    of    Councils 788.44 

The  officers  elected  in  July,  1904,  were  as  follows: 

State  Councilor — A.  E.  Bassett, 

State  Vice-Councilor — W.  H.  Geer, 

State  Council   Secretary — E.   J.   Christoe. 

State  Council  Treasurer — Thos.   Rowan. 


INDIANA 


Under  the  administration  of  National  Councilor  Ogden  Lan- 
ing,  1871-1872,  the  Order  found  its  way  into  the  State  of  In- 
diana through  H.  C.  Young,  in  the  institution  of  Shawnee  Council, 
No.  1,  at  New  Albany.  This  was  followed  by  Liberty  Council, 
No.  2,  and  on  October  29,  1873,  a  charter  was  granted  Washington 
Council,  No.  3,  at  Terre  Haute,  and  a  charter  was  filled  out  by  the 
National  Secretary  for  a  State  Council  in  1874  and  forwarded  to 
National  Councilor  Voorhees,  but  that  officer  gave  no  heed  to 
it  and  when  the  members  of  Indiana  met  for  organization  at  New 
Albany,  July  4,  1874,  they  had  no  official  authority  for  a  State 
Council,  hence  adjourned  until  the  6th  following,  and  not  having 
received  or  heard  from  the  charter,  they  adjourned  without  date 
thoroughly  disgusted,  which  act  of  criminal  negligence  on  the  part 
of  Voorhees  cost  the  Order  for  that  time  the  State  Council  of 
Indiana,  as  two  of  the  Councils  soon  after  disbanded. 

On  June  25,  1875,  a  charter  was  granted  and  the  State  Council 
was  regularly  instituted.  At  the  session  of  the  National  Council 
in  1876,  the  State  Council  was  represented  by  Geo.  W.  Ugenfritz, 
who,  at  same  session,  was  elected  National  Vice-Councilor  over 
J.  Adam  Sohl,  by  a  vote  of  13  to  10.  At  the  session  of  the  National 
Body  the  year  following,  Ugenfritz  was  elected  National  Councilor, 
and  at  the  same  session  the  State  Council  of  Indiana,  through  its 
Eepresentatives,  submitted  a  Bitual,  which,  in  the  discussions  that 
followed,  was  termed  the  "  Indiana  Hitual."  During  the  same  year 
Ugenfritz  established  a  journal  in  Hie  interest  of  Indiana  Juniorism 
called  "  The  Junior  American  Mechanic,"  but  it  was  short-lived. 


462  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

During  the  year  Ilgenfritz  was  National  Councilor,  friction  en- 
tered the  State  Council  of  Indiana  and  spread  throughout  the 
state,  the  claim  being  made  that  the  National  Councilor  was  inter- 
meddling with  the  functions  of  the  State  officers  and  violating  his 
trust  in  other  ways.  The  State  Council  Secretary,  Philip  Weiner, 
brought  the  matter  to  the  attention  of  the  other  members  of  the 
National  Board  of  Officers,  in  which  he  exceeded  his  authority  by 
making  statements  at  variance  with  the  facts,  and  the  whole  case 
was  referred  to  the  National  Council  by  National  Vice-Councilor 
J.  Adam  Sohl  and  the  National  Secretary,  at  which  session,  1878, 
the  question  was  considered  in  committee  and  submitted  to  the 
body,  and  during  the  discussion  relative  thereto,  a  telegram  from 
the  State  officers  was  received  that  the  National  Councilor  had  been 
suspended  by  his  State  Council,  as  well  as  State  Council  Secretary 
Weiner.  In  view  of  the  suspension  of  Ilgenfritz,  the  presiding 
officer  of  the  National  Council  declared  the  office  of  National  Coun- 
cilor vacant.  At  the  session  of  1878,  however,  Indiana  was  again 
honored  by  a  National  Council  office,  Representative  Baker  being 
elected  National  Council  Warden. 

Sometime  in  1879,  the  State  Council  of  Indiana  disbanded, 
owing  to  internal  strife,  and  the  Order,  officially,  had  no  existence 
in  the  state  until  December  4,  1887,  when  Harmony  Council  re- 
sumed meetings,  and  on  January  31,  1888,  a  charter  was  granted 
to  Marion  Council,  No.  3,  with  51  applicants.  In  August,  1891, 
Past  National  Councilor  Eobert  Ogle,  of  Maryland,  was  appointed 
National  Organizer,  and  he  at  once  proceeded  to  Indiana  and  or- 
ganized and  instituted  Jonesboro  Council,  No.  4,  September  16, 
and  Anderson  Council,  No.  5,  the  same  month,  which  were  followed 
by  Prairie,  No.  6 ;  Grand,  No.  7 ;  Alexandria,  No.  8 ;  America, 
No.  9,  and  on  December  4,  1891,  Brother  Ogle  instituted  the  State 
Council,  in  the  City  of  Marion,  whereupon  the  following  officers  to 
the  principal  positions  were  elected : 

Jr.  Past  State  Councilor — Geo.  P.  Wright, 
State  Councilor — C.  W.  Parke, 
State  Vice-Councilor — Henry  Wagner, 
State  Council  Secretary — A.  L.  Cray, 
State  Council  Treasurer — Fiery  Toms. 


The  First  Annual  Session  was  held  at  Muncie,  December  28, 
1892,  with  the  officers  elected  at  the  institution  of  the  State  Coun- 
cil in  their  several  positions.  Twenty-six  members  were  in  attend- 
ance. 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  463 

Eleven  Councils  had  been  instituted  during  the  year  and  the 
approximate  membership  was  placed  at  838.  A  motion  to  meet  in 
semi-annual  session  in  August  of  following  year  was  passed.  Also 
a  motion  was  adopted  to  pay  the  expenses  of  the  officers  and  Stand- 
ing Committees  while  in  attendance  at  the  State  Council  sessions. 

Henry  Wagner  was  elected  State  Councilor  and  J.  H.  Michael 
State  Vice-Councilor.  Subsequently  in  the  session,  in  view  of  the 
fact  that  the  position  of  Jr.  Past  State  Councilor  was  vacant,  the 
above  named  officers  were  promoted  to  Jr.  P.  S.  C.  and  State  Coun- 
cilor, respectively,  and  D.  H.  McAbee  was  elected  State  Vice- 
Councilor. 

The  printed  proceedings  of  the  First  Semi-annual  meeting 
states  that  the  session  was  held  at  Anderson,  August  16,  1893,  pre- 
sided over  by  State  Councilor  J.  H.  Michael.  The  meeting  had  a 
fitting  prelude  in  the  shape  of  a  public  welcome  extended  to  the 
State  Council,  one  of  the  features  of  which  was  an  address  on  the 
principles  of  the  Order  by  Mrs.  Lyman,  of  New  York.  The  after- 
noon of  same  day  was  given  to  a  public  mass  meeting  in  which  a 
number  of  addresses  were  made  that  aroused  intense  enthusiasm. 

The  roll-call  revealed  that  43  members  were  in  attendance. 
The  reports  showed  that  four  new  Councils  had  been  instituted 
since  December  28,  1892,  making  20  Councils  in  all,  representing  a 
total  membership  of  1,209,  or  a  gain  of  462.  Bros.  A.  L.  Cray, 
Toms  and  Amos  DuBois,  National  Representatives,  made  a  very 
clear  report  of  the  transactions  of  the  National  Council  session 
held  at  Detroit. 

The  officers  of  the  present  session  were: 

Junior  Past  State   Councilor — Henry  Wagner, 
State  Councilor — J.   H.   Michael, 
State  Vice-Councilor — D.  H.  McAbee, 
State  Council  Secretary — A.  L.  Cray, 
State  Council  Treasurer — Fiery  Toms. 

The  state  body  declared  at  this  session  against  semi-annual 
sessions  and  the  date  of  the  annual  meetings  was  fixed  for  the  fourth 
Wednesday  of  August.  In  view  of  this  change  the  present  session 
was  made  the  annual  session  and  the  body  proceeded  to  the  election 
of  officers,  which  resulted  as  follows : 

State  Councilor — D.   H.   McAbee, 
State  Vice-Councilor — J.   W.   Pittinger. 

The  terms  of  State  Council  Secretary  and  State  Council 
Treasurer  had  not  expired. 


464  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

A  resolution  was  adopted  authorizing  the  Law  Committee  to 
draft  a  law  prohibiting  Eoman  Catholics  from  becoming  members 
of  the  Order. 

In  his  report  to  the  National  Council  of  1894,  National  Secre- 
tary Peemer  had  this  to  say  concerning  Indiana : 

"  The  State  Council  of  Indiana  is  a  fixture.  All  my  business  with 
the  officers  is  promptly  attended  to.  The  State  Council  Secretary, 
Brother  A.  L.  Cray,  is  as  attentive  as  a  veteran.  No  work  of  his  is 
ever  returned  for  correction,  and  the  records  as  a  state  is  clean  all 
through." 

The  Fourth  Annual  Session  convened  at  Ft.  Wayne,  Septem- 
ber 17-18,  1895,  presided  over  by  State  Councilor  J.  W.  Pittinger. 
The  report  of  the  Secretary,  Brother  Cra}',  showed  a  healthy  con- 
dition of  the  Order;  while  the  increase  was  not  very  great,  the 
money  spent  for  relief  equaled  $1.50  per  member.  Six  Councils 
were  instituted  during  the  year,  two  disbanded,  leaving  26  in  good 
standing  with  a  membership  of  1,687,  a  gain  of  275.  The  total 
worth  of  Councils  was  $11,079.45. 

The  honors  of  Past  State  Councilor  were  conferred  upon 
State  Council  Secretary  A.  L.  Cray  and  Assistant  Secretary  Amos 
DuBois.     The  session  was  well  attended,  56  being  present. 

In  the  election  of  officers,  the  following  were  selected: 

State  Councilor — W.  J.  Cowan, 
State  Vice-Councilor — Geo.   C.   Laine, 
State  Council  Treasurer — N.  0.  Rook. 


The  session  of  1896  was  held  at  Portland,  August  18-19,  with 
State  Councilor  W.  J.  Cowan  in  the  Chair,  the  year  being  but 
11  months  as  per  change  in  time  of  meeting  at  the  previous  session. 
Many  councils  were  reported  "in  bad  standing,"  the  bane  of  the 
Junior  Order  in  every  jurisdiction,  there  being  but  an  increase  of 
three  Councils  and  14  members. 

The  State  Body  and  the  National  Council  D.  of  A.,  which  was 
in  session  at  the  same  time  and  place,  were  entertained  by  the  local 
Councils  of  both  Orders,  at  which  meeting  some  person  violated 
one  of  the  fundamental  principles  of  the  organization  by  introduc- 
ing "  politics  and  sectarianism."  In  adopting  a  set  of  resolutions 
of  thanks  to  the  entertaining  Councils,  there  was  added : 

"  Being  a  non-sectarian,  non-political,  patriotic  association,  we 
deeply  regret  that  anything  of  a  political  character  was  brought  into  the 
exercises  of  the  evening.  We  as  an  organization,  allow  nothing  of  such 
a  character  to  enter  our  Council  Chambers.  .  .  .  We  do  affirm,  as  the  State 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  465 

Council    of    Indiana,   not   to    allow   anything   of    a   political   or    sectarian 
nature  to  enter  the  Council  Chambers  of  the  State  Council  of  Indiana." 

The  per  capita  tax  was  placed  at  40  cents  and  the  salary  of  the 
State  Council  Secretary  was  "cut"  to  meet  the  reduced  income 
of  the  State  Council  and  the  increased  expenses  of  the  National 
Council  which  had  been  raised  from  8  cents  to  12. 

A  very  animated,  and  in  some  respects  acrimonious  discussion, 
took  place  on  the  adoption  of  the  recommendation  to  incorporate 
the  State  Council.  Stirred  by  the  enthusiasm  of  Brother  Wm. 
Overly,  the  members  became  enthused  with  his  spirit  and,  "  Metho- 
dist fashion,"  the  hat  was  passed  around  for  a  free-will  offering 
to  meet  the  expenses  of  incorporation  and  sufficient  was  raised. 
The  "giving"  like  "good  eating"  created  "good  feeling"  and 
the  "  ginger  "  of  discussion  was  soon  forgotten. 

The  Orphans'  Home  project  was  most  heartily  endorsed,  as  it 
was  ever  afterwards  enthusiastically  supported  by  the  State  Council, 
one  of  her  loyal  sons,  Brother  A.  L.  Cray,  having  been  appointed 
one  of  the  Board  of  Trustees  of  the  institution,  and  at  present 
(1907)  is  Secretary  of  the  Board. 

The  session  was  honored  with  the  presence  of  three  members 
of  the  National  Council,  D.  of  A.,  Minerva  V.  F.  Miller,  of  Port- 
land, Ind.,  Mary  Boram,  of  Maryland,  and  Mattie  Tarpley.  of 
Tennessee,  a  recess  having  been  declared  in  order  to  admit  them 
to  the  hall,  whereupon  they  each  in  turn  conveyed  the  greetings  of 
the  National  Body  of  their  organizations.  As  a  suitable  return  for 
the  cordial  greetings  extended,  the  State  Council,  as  a  body,  follow- 
ing the  Flag,  marched  to  the  hall  of  the  National  Council  of  the 
Daughters  of  America  and  spent,  a  very  pleasant  hour  in  the  ex- 
change of  friendly  words,  State  Councilor  Cowan  presenting  the 
greetings  of  the  State  Council.  All  together  they  sang  "The 
Little  Red  Schoolhouse,"  and  when  the  State  Council  retired  the 
Daughters  sang  "  God  Be  with  You  Till  We  Meet  Again." 

The  session  closed  enthusiastically  with  the  installation  of  the 
following  officers: 

State  Councilor — Geo.  C.  Laine, 
State  Vice-Councilor — S.  M.  Holtzman, 
State  Council   Treasurer — C.   L  Wood. 


Hartford  City  entertained  the  State  Council,  beginning  Sep- 
tember 1,  1897,  With  Geo.  C.  Laine,  State  Councilor,  presiding. 
S.  M.  Holtzman  having  forfeited  his  membership  in  the  Order,  the 
office  of  State  Vice-Councilor  was  declared  vacant,  whereupon  an 


30 


466  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

election  was  held  and  Brother  A.  L.  Cray  was  elected.  Brother 
Cray  then  tendered  his  resignation  as  State  Council  Secretary  and 
Geo.  M.  Louck  was  elected  to  the  position.  The  State  Council, 
D.  of  A.,  was  in  session  at  the  same  time  and  place  and  joint 
entertainment  was  furnished  both  bodies  by  the  local  Councils  and 
the  usual  greetings  were  exchanged. 

The  statistical  report  showed  a  loss  of  4  Councils  but  a  gain 
of  23  members,  making  38  of  the  former  and  1,724  of  the  latter. 

A  protest  against  the  confirmation  of  T.  V.  Powderly,  as 
Commissioner  of  Immigration,  was  passed.  A  resolution  favoring 
the  introduction  into  the  schools  of  Indiana  of  the  United  States 
Government  system  of  military  tactics  was  tabled,  owing  to  the 
danger,  in  the  opinion  of  the  members  of  the  body,  to  "  overcrowd- 
ing "  or  rather  crowding  the  regular  studies  that  were  taught  in  the 
schools. 

The  election  of  officers  resulted  as  follows: 

State  Councilor — A.  L.   Cray, 
State  Vice-Councilor — 0.    P.    Martin, 
State  Council  Secretary — C.  E.  Lockhart, 
State  Council  Treasurer — C.  L.   Wood. 


Jonesboro,  the  home  of  the  State  Councilor,  Brother  Cray, 
entertained  the  State  Council  in  its  Seventh  Annual  Session, 
August  30-31,  1898.  There  was  a  large  attendance  and  the  session 
was  enthusiastic  and  harmonious. 

While  eight  new  Councils  had  been  instituted,  yet  a  decrease 
in  membership  was  reported,  the  total  membership  aggregating 
1,290.  It  is  just  to  state  that  this  heavy  loss  casts  no  reflections 
upon  the  State  officers  who  were  deeply  earnest,  but  the  decline 
was  the  natural  results  of  many  ill-begotten  Councils,  weak  in  their 
"  bornin,"  hence  died  prematurely. 

The  officers  of  the  Election  Board  declared  the  following  to 
have  been  elected : 

State  Councilor — O.   P.   Martin, 
State  Vice-Councilor — G.  M.   Louck, 
State  Council  Treasurer — E.  M.   Schwartz. 


The  Eighth  Annual  Session  convened  at  Muncie,  August  29, 
1899,  with  State  Councilor  0.  P.  Martin  at  the  helm.  The  Order 
was  again  on  the  upward  trend,  there  being  four  Councils  insti- 
tuted and  a  gain  in  membership  of  168,  the  membership  reaching 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  467 

1,4(58.  The  value  of  the  Subordinate  Councils  was  Sported  at 
$15,318.69. 

During  the  year  the  State  Council  Secretary  having  resigned, 
Brother  Cray  was  again  placed  "  in  the  harness  "  to  be  "  scribe  " 
of  the  State  Council.  The  two  amendments  referred  to  the  State 
Councils  by  the  National  Council,  Woman's  Auxiliary  and  Change 
of  Name,  were  adopted,  the  former  by  a  vote  of  57  to  naught. 

As  the  result  of  the  election,  the  following  were  named  the 
officers  for  the  ensuing  year : 

State  Councilor — G.  M.  Louck, 
State  Vice-Councilor — Chas.    W.    Reed, 
State  Council  Secretary — A.    L.    Cray, 
State  Council  Treasurer — E.  M.   Schwartz. 


Terre  Haute  received  the  State  Council  at  its  annual  meeting 
in  1900,  August  28-29,  Geo.  M.  Louck  presiding. 

Notwithstanding  the  great  bereavement  that  befell  the  State 
Councilor  in  the  death  of  his  wife  which  handicapped  him  in  his 
work,  the  year  was  remarkably  successful,  there  being  a  gain  of 
343  in  membership.  As  a  striking  coincidence,  the  State  Council 
Secretary,  Brother  Cray,  also  laid  away  the  wife  of  his  bosom,  in  a 
measure,  breaking  in  on  his  work. 

The  officers  for  ensuing  year  were  selected  as  follows: 

State  Councilor — Chas.  W.  Reed, 
State  Vice-Councilor — John   D.   Allegar, 
State  Council   Secretary — Chas.   A.   Jay, 
State  Council  Treasurer — E.   P.   Mitchell. 


The  State  Council  met  in  Tenth  Annual  Session  at  Marion, 
August  28,  1901,  Chas.  W.  Eeed  in  the  Chair. 

Death  again  entered  the  homes  of  two  of  the  officers  of  the 
State  Council,  viz.:  The  State  Councilor  having  lost  his  wife  and 
the  State  Vice-Councilor  his  daughter.  Appropriate  resolutions 
of  condolence  were  adopted. 

For  State  Councilor,  John  D.  Allegar  was  promoted ;  for  State 
Vice-Councilor,  Elias  Baldwin  was  elected.  The  Treasurer  was 
reelected. 


The  Eleventh  and  Twelfth  Annual  Sessions  were  held  at  Up- 
land, August  26-27,  1902,  and  at  Lawrenceburg,  August  26-27, 
1903.  State  Councilor  John  D.  Allegar  presided  at  the  former  and 
Elias  Baldwin  at  the  latter. 


468  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

The  membership  for  1903  was  1,661,  a  gain  of  235  over  the 
previous  year.  Seven  Councils  were  organized  under  Brother  Bald- 
win's administration  and  the  reports  were  very  gratifying,  as  well 
as  suggestive,  especially  that  of  the  State  Council  Secretary  and 
State  Vice-Councilor  McKinley. 

The  State  Legislative  Committee  reported  some  active  work 
along  the  line  of  legislation.  Several  bills  had  been  introduced  into 
the  Indiana  Legislature  at  the  suggestion  of  the  Committee,  among 
which  were  the  following: 

1.  To  place  the  Flag  upon  the  Public  School^  Buildings. 

2.  A  Free  Text-book  Bill. 

Both  bills,  however,  were  reported  unfavorably  from  the  Com- 
mittee of  the  Legislature  that  had  them  in  charge. 

At  the  session  of  1903,  the  officers  elected  were  as  follows: 

State  Councilor — Clark  McKinley, 

State  Vice-Councilor — W.    A.    Church, 

State  Council  Secretary — Chas.    A.    Jay, 

State  Council  Treasurer — W.  B.  Miller. 


In  the  year  1904,  Newcastle  entertained  the  State  Body,  with 
Clark  McKinley  in  the  Chair.  The  State  Council  was  favored  with 
the  presence  of  Brother  Kernan,  Superintendent  of  the  National 
Orphans'  Home,  who,  with  the  Drum  Corps  of  the  Home,  added 
much  interest  to  the  occasion.  The  report  of  the  State  Councilor 
showed  that  his  had  been  a  strenuous  year  in  the  prosecution  of  the 
work  of  the  Order  throughout  the  state,  and  much  credit  belongs 
to  him  for  the  energy  and  enthusiasm  displayed.  During  the  year 
the  State  Council  Secretary,  Brother  Jay,  removed  from  the  juris- 
diction, and  again  Brother  Cray,  "  the  all-around  man,"  was  placed 
"  in  the  harness,"  who  took  charge  of  the  affairs  of  the  office. 

Brother  W.  A.  Church,  State  Vice-Councilor,  in  a  very  elab- 
orate review,  spoke  of  the  causes  that  retarded  the  progress  of  the 
Order  in  the  State  of  Indiana.  He  discussed  the  problem  under 
three  heads: 

1.  "  The  failure,  financially  and  numerically,  of  Councils  from  the 
age  of  one  to  three  years. 

2.  "  The  apparent  apathy  on  the  part  of  the  State  Council  officers 
towards  the  Subordinate  Councils. 

3.  "  Misinterpretation  of  the  laws  by  members  and  officers  of  the 
Subordinate  Councils." 

In  his  comments  on  the  above  propositions,  Brother  Church 
knew  what  he  was  "  talking  about."     He  had  made  a  careful  study 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  469 

of  the  problems  that  confronted  the  organization  in  his  state  at 
this  time,  which  in  fact  were  common  to  every  state  in  the  Union. 

The  Home  Band  was  an  enthusiastic  feature  of  the  State  ses- 
sion, and  escorted  the  State  Body  of  the  D.  of  A.,  then  in  session,  to 
the  hall  of  the  Junior  State  Council  where  the  usual  interchange 
of  greetings  were  passed.  During  this  reception,  four  of  the  small- 
est boys  of  the  Band  held  the  Stars  and  Stripes  by  the  four  corners, 
while  the  assembled  members  of  both  bodies  bestowed  a  "  silver 
shower  "  in  the  interest  of  the  Home,  amounting  to  $174.40. 

As  the  result  of  the  election,  the  following  officers  were 
installed : 

State  Councilor — W.  A.  Church, 
State  Vice-Councilor — H.   F.   Connelly, 
State  Council   Secretary — Harry  Van  Brunt. 


Muncie,  October  24-25,  1905,  received  the  State  Body,  with 
State  Councilor  W.  A.  Church  presiding.  The  death  of  P.  S.  C. 
Geo.  M.  Louck  was  announced  and  an  appropriate  Memoriam  was 
adopted  in  respect  for  his  memory. 

The  State  Legislative  Committee  reported  that  an  effort  had 
been  made  to  secure  legislation  for  a  Free  Text-Book  Bill,  but  the 
same  died  in  the  Committee.  Many  Councils  were  reported  as  not 
meeting,  whereupon  charges  were  filed  against  same,  and  their 
charters  were  revoked. 

Officers  elected  were: 

State  Councilor — H.  F.   Connelly, 
State  Vice-Councilor — W.  M.  Thompson, 
State  Council  Treasurer — Whit  B.  Miller. 


We  close  the  record  of  the  State  Council  of  Indiana  with  the 
Fifteenth  Annual  Session,  held  at  Noblesville,  October  23-24, 
190G,  with  H.  T.  Connelly,  State  Councilor  in  the  Chair. 

During  the  year,  Brother  James  Needier  was  appointed  to 
fill  out  the  unexpired  term  of  Brother  Van  Brunt.  A  resume  for 
the  year  is  given  by  Brother  Needier  as  to  the  standing  of  the 
Order  in  the  state,  and  is  as  follows: 

Number   of    Councils 26 

Number  of  Members 1,701 

Amount   Paid   for   Relief $4,817.29 

Worth    of    Subordinate    Councils 26,650.16 

Per   Capita   Tax  National   Council 959.10 


470  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

The  officers  elected  for  the  ensuing  year  were  as  follows: 

State  Councilor — W.  M.  Thompson, 

State  Vice-Councilor — John   W.   Ketner, 

State  Council  Secretary — James  Needier, 

State  Council  Treasurer — Whit   B.   Miller, 

State  Council  Conductor — H.  F.  Meyrose, 

State  Council  Warden— W.  M.  Street, 

State  Council  Sentinels — Ray   Montague  and   John   Horn, 

State  Council  Chaplain — J.  D.  Freidline. 

Indiana  Juniorism  has  had  its  vicissitudes,  its  "  ups  and 
downs/'  but  resolutely  she  has  "  stood  by  the  stuff."  A  perusal 
of  the  Proceedings  of  the  State  Council  indicates  precision  in  the 
manner  of  conducting  its  business.  Much  responsibility  for  the 
work  of  the  various  Councils  rested  upon  the  Deputy  State  Coun- 
cilors who,  owing  to  the  inability  of  the  State  Councilor  because 
of  lack  of  funds  in  the  treasury  to  visit  the  Councils,  were  expected 
to  take  the  State  Councilor's  place.  Each  D.  S.  C.  made  his  report 
to  the  State  Council,  and  in  compensation  for  these  services,  his 
mileage  and  per  diem  was  paid  to  the  State  sessions,  a  very 
creditable  act  toward  a  body  of  men  but  little  recognized. 

The  close  affinity  between  the  Junior  Order  and  the  Daughters 
of  America  was  a  marked  feature  of  Indiana,  both  State  Councils 
generally  meeting  at  the  same  time  and  in  the  same  place,  each 
exchanging  with  the  other  friendly  greetings. 

If  we  would  name  the  Indiana  Juniors  who  stand  conspicuous 
in  either  State  or  National  Council,  the  following  are  worthy  of 
note:  At  the  head  of  the  list,  loved  by  every  Junior  in  the  state 
and  esteemed  in  the  National  Council,  stands  Past  National  Coun- 
cilor A.  L.  Cray;  then  follows  Past  State  Councilors  McAbee,  Pit- 
tinger,  Martin,  Church,  Laine,  Allegar,  Baldwin,  McKinley,  Reed 
and  Connelly;  Past  National  Representatives  Young,  Fitzpatrick 
and  Leapley,  Brothers  E.  E.  Freidline  and  J.  D.  Freidline,  Van 
Brunt,  and  State  Councilor  W.  M.  Thompson,  State  Vice-Councilor 
John  Ketner,  State  Council  Secretary  and  Treasurer  James  Needier 
and  Whit.  B.  Miller. 

KANSAS 

By  the  institution  of  Western  Star  Council,  No.  1,  at  Welling- 
ton, November,  1888,  the  Order  secured  a  foothold  in  the  State 
of  Kansas.  J.  F.  Nixon  was  appointed  Deputy  National  Councilor 
over  the  Order  in  the  state  the  same  year,  but  was  removed  in 
1889,  and  J.  E.  Smith,  of  Nebraska,  was  appointed  in  his  place. 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  471 

As  there  was  no  report  of  the  above  named  Council  at  the  session 
of  the  National  Council  in  1891,  it  is  presumed  that  h  had  "gone 
out  of  business." 

National  Organizer  Stephen  Collins,  however,  entered  the 
state  in  December  of  1892,  and  the  following  is  the  result  of  his 
visit:  Wyandotte  Council,  No.  1,  December  16,  with  25  applicants, 
at  Kansas  City ;  Lincoln,  No.  2,  at  Topeka,  January  16,  1893 ; 
Leavenworth,  No.  3,  January  18,  1893,  with  25  applicants;  Pride 
of  the  West,  No.  4,  at  Lawrence,  January  20,  with  28  charter  mem- 
bers; Winona,  No.  5,  January  24,  at  McCracken,  with  21  appli- 
cants; Oakley,  No.  6,  at  Oakley,  February  2,  with  23  applicants; 
Fr.  Scott,  No.  7,  June  6 ;  Kansas,  No.  8,  June  7,  all  in  1893. 

On  June  8,  1893,  Brother  Collins  instituted  the  State  Council 
at  Topeka,  and  on  the  day  following  continued  his  good  work  by 
instituting  Union  Council,  No.  9,  at  Atchison.  The  order,  how- 
ever, lost  ground  the  first  year,  as  per  report  for  year  ending  Decem- 
ber 31,  1893,  which  showed  but  131  members,  the  list  of  suspensions 
reaching  140.  The  second  year  was  more  hopeful,  the  membership 
as  per  report  of  May  15,  1895,  being  500. 

No  truer  men  had  any  state  than  Kansas,  but  from  the  incep- 
tion of  the  Order  they  had  a  struggle  and  a  fight  to  maintain  an 
existence,  and  when  the  old  century  came  to  a  close,  there  were  only 
7  Councils  and  200  members.  When  the  report  for  year  ending 
December  31,  1904,  was  sent  in,  the  following  is  the  story: 

Number   of   Councils 3 

Number    of   Members 122 

Received  by   Subordinate   Councils $762.57 

Paid    for   Relief 296.95 

Worth    of    Councils 193.00 

The  list  of  officers  for  1906-1907  were  the  following: 

State  Councilor — A.  A.  Doughty, 
State   Vice-Councilor — F.   E.   Anderson, 
State  Council  Secretary — O.   Chacey, 
State   Council   Treasurer — J.  L.   Boyer. 


KENTUCKY 


In  November,  1872,  a  Council  was  organized  and  instituted 
in  Louisville,  but  by  whom  we  have  not  learned,  but  it  was  of  short 
duration  and  passed  out  of  existence.  John  D.  Hall,  of  West  Vir- 
ginia, Deputy  National  Councilor,  went  into  the  state  in  1891  and 
organized  Guiding  Star  Council,  No.  1,  which  he  instituted  October 


472  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

20,  the  same  being  followed  by  Vancebnrg  Council,  No.  2,  instituted 
on  August  6,  1892,  and  Washington,  No.  3,  in  same  month.  On 
February  20,  1893,  Lincoln  Council,  No.  4,  was  instituted,  which 
was  followed  by  Eescue  Council,  No.  5 ;  Winona,  No.  6 ;  Bainbridge, 
No.  7 ;  Henry  Clay,  No.  8 ;  Twin  City,  No.  9,  and  Eising  Sun,  No. 
10,  all  of  the  same  year.  On  March  28,  the  State  Council  of  Ken- 
tucky was  instituted  in  due  form,  of  which  E.  C.  Mercer  was  elected 
State  Councilor  and  I.  McFerguson  State  Vice-Councilor.  The 
first  National  Eepresentatives  were:  M.  V.  Eorick,  I.  McFerguson, 
W.  C.  Eoby,  Oliver  Bercan  and  Geo.  Donaldson. 

The  members  of  the  State  Council  were  enthusiastic  and  for  a 
year  or  two  there  was  splendid  advance  made,  the  standing  of  the 
State  Council  for  year  ending  December  31,  1894,  being  as  follows: 

Number   of    Councils 20 

Number    of    Members 486 

Internal  dissensions,  however,  crept  into  the  Order,  so  that  on 
May  9,  1896,  the  National  Council  Secretary  stated  that  no  report 
had  been  received  from  the  State  Council  Secretary,  in  consequence 
of  which  failure  to  report,  the  State  Council  was  subjected  to  a 
fine,  its  indebtedness  being  $66.51 ;  this  however  was  paid  June  1, 
but  not  the  fine,  and  the  following  report  was  submitted : 

Number    of    Councils 14 

Number    of    Members 998 

the  disturbing  element  having  been  driven  out  of  the  Order. 

Those  quite  prominent  in  1897,  and  all  National  Eepresenta- 
tives, were:  C.  A.  Jeancon,  J.  P.  Fleming,  J.  W.  Steger,  H.  G. 
Smith  and  Byron  Hill. 

The  officers  for  the  ensuing  jear,  1900-1901,  were  as  follows: 

Jr.  Past  State  Councilor— H.  G.  Smith, 
State  Councilor— Geo.  E.  Heinsobn, 
State  Vice-Councilor — L.  L.  Hill, 
State  Council  Secretary— M.  C.  Bane, 
State  Council  Treasurer — J.   W.   Steger. 

In  1901  the  gain  in  membership  was  519,  there  being  at  the 
time  33  Councils  and  3,050  members  in  the  state.  As  an  evidence 
of  progress,  the  gain  reported  at  the  session  of  1902  was  931,  while 
that  of  1903  was  1,468. 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  473 

The  report  of  the  State  Council  for  year  ending  December  31, 
1904,  was  as  follows: 

Number   of   Councils 82 

Number   of   Members 6,866 

Received    by    Subordinate    Councils $52,135.23 

Paid    for    Relief 15,578.68 

Worth    of    Councils 22,385.67 

This  gratifying  report  placed  Kentucky  fourth  in  order  of  gain 
of  membership,  the  increase  being  1,417.  The  brethren  of  Ken- 
tucky are  to  be  congratulated  on  the  Order's  remarkable  growth  in 
their  state  and  much  can  be  expected  in  the  future. 

The  above  brief  resume  has  been  gathered  from  limited  sources, 
copies  of  the  Proceedings  not  having  been  furnished  as  requested. 
However,  through  the  kindness  of  Rev.  E.  D.  Harding,  Junior 
Past  State  Councilor,  a  copy  of  the  Proceedings  of  the  session  of  the 
State  Council  of  1906  was  placed  in  our  hands.  From  this  docu- 
ment we  learned  that  the  session  had  been  held  at  Frankfort,  Ken- 
tuck}7,  September  11-13,  presided  over  by  Brother  Harding,  State 
Councilor,  there  being  not  less  than  150  members  in  attendance. 

The  administration  of  State  Councilor  Harding  was  the  ban- 
ner year  for  the  "  Blue  Grass  State  "  both  in  increase  of  Councils 
and  membership,  22  new  Councils  having  been  instituted,  19  of 
which  the  State  Councilor  organized  and  instituted,  while  the  gain 
in  members  reached  3,240  and  the  finances  of  the  State  Council 
netted  $1,400  over  all  expenses.  This  was  a  magnificent  record  and 
was  the  result  of  a  year's  hard  and  sacrificing  work  upon  the  part 
of  one  of  the  most  active  and  patriotic  State  Councilors  the  State 
Council  ever  had  to  direct  the  Order.  With  his  cheering  presence 
and  words  of  instruction  in  the  Councils  and  from  the  pulpit 
and  platform  our  brother  went  everywhere  preaching  the  gospel  of 
Juniorism,  until  a  mighty  wave  of  old-time  patriotism  rolled  over 
the  state  as  never  before  had  been  seen.  Nearly  a  hundred  councils 
had  been  visited  during  his  term,  with  the  promise,  which  he  will 
carry  out,  to  visit  the  remainder  of  the  Councils  of  the  state  during 
his  closing  year  as  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Officers. 

The  State  Council  Secretary  presented  a  report  somewhat 
unique,  in  which  were  submitted  comparisons  given,  so  far  as  we 


474  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

have  seen,  by  no  other  State  Secretary.     For  instance,  the  fol- 
lowing : 

Number    of    Councils 121 

Average  number  of  Members  per   Council 85.64 

Average  number  per  Council   in  U.   S 90.64 

Brother  Bane  then  showed  that  the  gain  per  Council  during 
the  year  was  1.9,  making  the  average  in  Kentucky  but  5  less  than 
the  average  in  the  United  States.  He  also  reported  the  membership 
to  have  reached  10,353.  With  50  county-seats  without  a  Council, 
according  to  the  report  of  the  State  Councilor,  and  hundreds  of 
towns  without  an  organization,  the  prospects  for  a  great  State 
organization  are  bright. 

Financially  the  Subordinate  Councils  showed  the  following: 

Receipts     $75,632.41 

Paid    for    Benefits    and    Relief 20,967.04 

Worth    of    Councils 56,089.38 

making  a  gain  of  $16,933.07. 

It  is  worthy  of  note  that  much  of  the  enthusiasm  and  interest 
aroused  throughout  the  state  is  due  to  the  publication  known  as 
the  "Kentucky  Junior;'  edited  and  published  by  Bev.  Brother 
Harding,  a  lively  journal  much  appreciated  by  the  Juniors  of  the 
state. 

Kentucky,  not  to  be  outdone  by  Ohio,  Pennsylvania,  New  York 
and  Maryland,  and  as  an  evidence  of  her  loyalty  to  our  cherished 
institution  at  Tiffin,  has  entered  into  the  very  commendable  scheme 
of  erecting  on  the  grounds  of  the  Orphans'  Home  a  building  to  be 
known  as  "  The  Kentucky  Memorial  Hospital "  as  a  monument  to 
the  generosity  of  the  members  of  the  organization  in  Kentucky, 
said  building  to  be  used  as  a  hospital  or  ward  of  detention 
for  the  sick  and  disabled  children  of  the  National  Orphans'  Home. 
The  plan  is  under  full  head-way  with  more  than  $1,000  on  hand 
and  a  statute  was  adopted  at  the  late  session  establishing  the  same. 
Within  a  few  years  there  will  stand  upon  the  grounds  of  the 
Orphans'  Home  this  magnificent  Memorial  of  Southern  generosity 
and  love. 


CHAPTER    XXVIII 
PROCEEDINGS  OF  STATE  COUNCILS  (Continued) 

MAINE 

NATIONAL  Councilor  Geo.  H.  Bartlett,  of  Massachusetts,  was 
instrumental  in  planting  the  Order  in  the  "  Pine  Tree  State  " 
sometime  in  November  of  1890,  by  the  institution  of  Kennebec 
Council,  No.  1,  at  Richmond.  However,  the  Council  was  short- 
lived and  no  further  attempt  was  made  until  September  13,  1894, 
when  Past  National  Councilor  W.  E.  Orange,  National  Organizer, 
instituted  Winona  Council,  No.  1,  and  on  the  28th  of  same  month 
gave  Geo.  H.  Adams  Council,  No.  2,  official  life.  In  1895,  Fred 
W.  Alexander,  of  Rhode  Island,  was  appointed  Special  Organizer 
and  on  the  21st  of  November  of  that  year  he  instituted  Enterprise 
Council,  No.  3,  following  it  up  with  American  Eagle  Council, 
No.  4,  on  the  25th  of  same  month;  Champerdowne,  No.  5,  Decem- 
ber 16;  Lincoln,  No.  6,  on  the  20th,  and  Kearsarge,  No.  7,  on  the. 
21st  of  December,  1895.  Continuing  his  work  into  the  New  Year, 
he  instituted  Pine  Tree  Council,  No.  8,  on  January  13,  1896; 
Washington,  No.  9,  on  February  5;  Harmony,  No.  10,  and  White 
Rose,  No.  11,  on  March  7;  Eastern  Star,  No.  12,  on  March  9,  and 
Garfield,  No.  13,  on  the  twelfth  of  the  same  month,  1896. 

With  Representatives  from  the  above  named  Councils,  Special 
Organizer  Alexander,  in  regular  and  due  form,  instituted  the  State 
Council  of  Maine,  March  12,  1896.  Pursuant  to  the  call  of  the 
Special  Organizer,  the  preliminary  meeting  was  held  on  the  above 
date  at  South  Berwick,  and  after  being  called  to  order  by  Brother 
Alexander,  Lionel  H.  Williams  was  chosen  temporary  Secretary. 
The  following  Past  Councilors  were  present:  Elmer  Toby,  Lionel 
Williams,  A.  E.  Quint,  F.  H.  Fike,  John  C.  Stewart,  G.  C.  H. 
Smiley,  Ira  C.  Keen,  Geo.  W.  Mitchell,  W.  A.  Nute  and  E.  Bail. 
Councilors  present  were:  W.  W.  Ranshaw,  E.  H.  Goodwin,  W.  H. 
Cordes,  F.  A.  Spencer,  Herbert  Smith,  W.  H.  Littlefield  and  H.  E. 
Bryant,  nine  of  the  Councils  being  represented.  Fathered  by  as 
noble  a  body  of  men  as  could  be  found  anywhere,  and  under  most 
auspicious  surroundings,  the  State  Council  of  Maine  started  out  to 
teach  and  disseminate  throughout  the  state  the  doctrines  and  prin- 
ciples of  the  Junior  Order  United  American  Mechanics. 

475 


476  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

A  committee  was  appointed  to  nominate  a  Board  of  Officers, 
which  committee  reported  as  follows,  and  the  same  were  elected 
collectively  by  the  Secretary  casting  the  vote  for  the  body : 

Junior  Past  State  Councilor — H.  P.  Dalton, 
State  Councilor — John  C.  Stewart, 
State  Vice-Councilor — Elmer   Toby, 
State  Council  Secretary — Lionel  H.  Williams, 
State  Council  Treasurer — A.  E.  Quint, 
State  Council  Conductor — Geo.  W.  Mitchell, 
State  Council  Warden — Ira  C.  Keen, 

State  Council  Sentinels — F.  H.  Fike  and  G.  C.  M.  Smiley, 
National   Representatives — A.   E.   Quint,   A.   E.   Bail,   H.  A.   Guptill, 
L.  H.  Williams. 

After  the  appointment  of  the  necessary  Committee  on  Consti- 
tution and  By-laws,  the  State  Council  adjourned,  leaving  the  routine 
business  to  be  taken  care  of  by  the  Board  of  Officers,  who  were 
authorized  to  approve  and  promulgate  the  laws  as  submitted  by  the 
Committee. 

The  Second  Annual  Session  of  the  State  Council  was  called  to 
order  by  State  Councilor  John  C.  Stewart,  September  2,  1896,  the 
meeting  being  held  at  North  Berwick. 

The  fee  of  Subordinate  Council  charters  was  fixed  at  $25; 
the  per  capita  tax  was  placed  at  25  cents.  The  receipts  of  the  Sub- 
ordinate Councils  since  the  institution  in  March  amounted  to 
$132.24,  some  of  the  Councils  not  reporting,  and  there  had  been 
no  advance  during  that  period. 

The  salary  of  the  State  Council  Secretary  was  placed  at  $50 
and  all  officers  and  representatives  to  be  paid  their  actual  expenses. 

The  election  of  officers  resulted  as  follows : 

State  Councilor — John  C.   Stewart    (reelected), 
State  Vice-Councilor — H.  V.  Noyes, 
State  Council  Secretary — Herbert  Smith, 
State  Council  Treasurer — Fred.  B.  Averill. 


In  Third  Annual  Session,  the  State  Council  convened  at  Port- 
land, September  1,  1897,  State  Vice- Councilor  Noyes  presiding. 

Only  seven  of  the  original  13  Councils  were  in  good  standing, 
but  five  new  ones  had  been  chartered  during  the  year,  making  12 
in  all.     The  membership  August  31,  1897,  was  reported  at  604. 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  477 

The  result  of  the  election  of  officers  was  as  follows,  13  votes 
being  cast : 

State  Councilor — Dr.  H.  V.  Noyes, 
State  Vice-Councilor — W.  A.  Spofford, 
State  Council  Secretary — Herbert  Smith, 
State  Council  Treasurer — J.  H.  Farmington. 


The  Fourth  Annual  Session  of  the  State  Council  was  held  at 
Springvale,  September  7,  1898,  Past  State  Councilor  John  C. 
Stewart  in  the  Chair.  Seven  Councils  only  sent,  their  report,  show- 
ing a  reduced  membership  of  410. 

0 

Officers  selected  for  the  ensuing  year  were: 

State  Councilor — W.  A.  Spofford, 
State  Vice-Councilor — F.  H.  Dexter, 
State  Council  Secretary — Herbert  Smith, 
State  Council  Treasurer — Geo.  R.  Bowley. 


Phillips  entertained  the  State  Council  September  6,  1899, 
with  State  Councilor  Spofford  presiding. 

The  brethren  were  highly  gratified  over  the  remarkable  ad- 
vance the  Order  had  made  during  the  year  under  the  leadership 
of  Brother  Spofford,  17  Councils  having  been  chartered  while  sev- 
eral Councils  had  been  reorganized,  and  all  along  the  line  a  wave 
of  patriotism  swept  over  the  state. 

In  his  report,  the  State  Councilor  referred  in  most  glowing 
terms  to  the  National  Orphans'  Home  and  its  great  work,  and  in 
speaking  of  the  Spanish-American  War,  he  named  one  Junior 
from  Maine,  Frank  E.  Russell,  of  Phillips,  who  was  a  participant. 

The  State  Council  Secretary  gave  the  standing  of  the  Order 
as  follows : 

Number  of  Councils 26 

Number  of  Members 1075 

The  vote  on  the  Woman's  Auxiliary,  referred  to  the  State 
Councils  by  the  National  Council,  was  in  the  negative,  the  entire 
vote,  24,  being  recorded  nay. 

The  State  Council  Secretary's  salary  was  raised  to  $100. 

The  election  of  officers  resulted  as  follows: 

State  Councilor — Frank  H.  Dexter, 
State  Vice-Councilor — Charles   E.   Berry, 
State  Council  Secretary — Herbert  Smith, 
State  Council  Treasurer — Geo.  R.  Bowley. 


478  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

For  the  sixth  time  the  State  Council  met  in  annual  session,  this 
time  at  Livermore  Falls,  September  5,  1900,  State  Councilor  Dex- 
ter at  the  helm.  The  year  was  marked  with  another  advance  and 
continued  prosperity  in  the  Order  in  its  forward  march  of  con- 
quest. The  State  Body  was  represented  for  the  first  time  in  the 
National  Council  by  State  Councilor  Dexter,  Geo.  K.  Bowley  and 
State  Council  Secretary  Smith. 

The  report  of  Secretary  Smith  was  full  of  cheer  and  it  must 
have  inspired  the  brothers  with  loftier  purposes  and  higher  aims. 
Seventeen  new  Councils  had  been  instituted  and  the  membership 
correspondingly  increased. 

The  report  on  mileage  was  $100.50. 

In  the  election  of  officers  the  following  were  chosen : 

State  Councilor — Charles  E.  Berry, 

State   Vice-Councilor — William   H.   Wood, 

State  Council  Secretary — Herbert  Smith, 

State  Council  Treasurer — Everett  D.  Wenthworth. 


The  Seventh  Annual  Session  was  held  at  Brunswick,  Septem- 
ber 4,  1901,  presided  over  by  State  Councilor  Berry.  Five  new 
Councils  had  been  chartered,  all  having  been  organized  by  Deputy 
State  Councilor  Geo.  L.  Lakin. 

The  officers  elected  were: 

State  Councilor— W.  H.  Wood, 

State  Vice-Councilor — Isaac  Linscott, 

State  Council  Secretary — Herbert  Smith, 

State  Council  Treasurer — F.  S.  Schofield. 


Dixfield,  September  10,  1902,  had  the  honor  of  entertaining 
the  State  body  at  its  Eighth  Annual  Session,  State  Councilor  Wood 
in  the  Chair.  The  year  showed  a  slight  decline,  both  in  Councils 
and  members,  there  being  reported  of  the  former  25,  and  of  the 
latter  1,069.  The  State  Vice-Councilor  was  removed  from  his 
office,  his  Council  having  expelled  him  for  some  cause. 

The  session  was  brief  and  the  business  merely  routine,  closing 
with  the  following  officers  elected: 

State  Councilor — W.  J.  Crockett, 
State  Vice-Councilor— Dr.  F.  E.  Wheet, 
State  Council  Secretary — Herbert  Smith, 
State  Council  Treasurer— F.  S.  Schofield. 


In   Ninth   Annual    Session,   the   State   Council   convened   at 
Waterville,  September  9,  1903,  S.  C.  Crockett  in  the  Chair. 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  479 

The  Order  again  moved  forward,  three  new  Councils  having 
been  organized,  making  26  Councils  in  the  state  with  a  membership 
of  1,109. 

Those  chosen  to  direct  the  affairs  of  the  Order  were: 

State  Councilor— Dr.  F.  E.  Wheet, 
State  Vice-Councilor — ,Geo.  W.  Dockham, 
State  Council  Secretary — Herbert  Smith, 
State  Council  Treasurer — William  M.  Woodcock. 


The  State  Council  of  Maine  rounded  out  its  first  decade  at 
its  meeting  held  at  Kingfield,  September  14,  1904,  with  Dr.  Wheet 
presiding.  National  Councilor  Gilcreast  honored  the  session  with 
his  presence  and  added  much  to  the  interest  of  the  occasion. 

The  vote  on  the  amendments  to  the  National  Constitution,  in- 
cluding the  revised  Objects  of  the  Order  and  biennial  sessions  of 
the  National  Council,  was  ayes  25,  nays  none. 

The  Election  Board  declared  the  following  to  have  been  elected 
to  the  several  offices  for  the  ensuing  year : 

State  Councilor — Geo.  W.  Dockham, 
State   Vice-Councilor — Geo.   R.   Bowley, 
State  Council  Secretary — Herbert  Smith, 
State  Council  Treasurer — W7illiam  M.  Woodcock. 


The  Eleventh  Annual  Session  was  held  at  Ellsworth,  Septem- 
ber 6,  1905,  with  State  Councilor  Dockham  presiding.  National 
Councilor  Gilcreast  again  was  present  to  encourage  the  brethren  in 
their  work,  and  was  accompanied  by  Deputy  National  Councilor 
Andrews,  of  Massachusetts. 

Among  the  questions  asked  of  the  State  Councilor  in  his  official 
capacity  was,  "  Can  we  carry  a  flag  with  us  to  church  on  Sunday?  " 
The  State  Councilor  answered,  "  Yes.  There  is  no  law,  either  State 
or  National,  or  of  any  other  fraternal  organization,  that  prohibits 
the  carrying  of  the  American  flag  (Old  Glory)  under  any  and  all 
circumstances  in  this  country  that  I  know  of.  If  there  is  it 
ought  to  be  repealed." 

The  State  Council  Secretary  gave  a  resume  of  the  standing  of 
the  Order,  which  is  herewith  appended : 

Number    of    Councils 27 

Number   of   Members 1222 

Worth    of    Councils $7,000.00 

Receipts   of   State   Council $770.24 

Expenses  of  State  Council 777.96 


480  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

The  vote  on  the  National  Council  Amendments  was  in  favor 
of  same,  there  being  yeas  31,  nays  none.     The  report  of  Committee 
on  Mileage  showed  $184.18  due  the  officers  and  representatives  for  , 
their  expenses  in  attending  the  session. 

The  writer  is  indebted  to  Brother  Herbert  Smith,  State  Coun- 
cil Secretary,  for  courtesies  shown  in  the  loan  of  the  proceedings 
of  the  State  Council.  Although  the  contents  of  the  printed  pro- 
ceedings are  somewhat  limited  when  compared  with  State  Councils 
of  Pennsylvania,  Ohio,  Maryland  and  other  of  the  larger  states, 
yet  for  neatness  in  form  and  preparation,  none  can  excel  those  of 
Maine.  The  brethren  spent  but  little  time  at  their  annual  sessions, 
transacting  their  business  methodically,  having  but  few  questions 
that  aroused  discussion,  and  with  kindliest  feelings  toward  each 
other,  they  met  and  parted. 

While  the  Order  never  reached  great  numbers,  yet  for  a  state 
situated  as  Maine,  the  results  are  gratifying.  With  a  good  ground- 
work already  laid,  the  future  of  the  Order  in  the  "Pine  Tree 
State"  is  encouraging. 

The  State  of  Maine  has  had  good  men  at  the  helm  since  its 
organization  into  a  State  Council.  Past  State  Councilor  Stewart 
was  one  of  the  earlier  workers,  a  man  of  power  and  respect.  Past 
State  Councilors  Geo.  E.  Bowley,  W.  A.  Spofford,  F.  H.  Dexter, 
Charles  E.  Berry,  W.  H.  Wood,  Dr.  F.  E.  Wheet,  Geo.  W.  Dock- 
ham  and  W.  J.  Crockett  are  still  on  the  "  firing  line."  But  the 
longest  in  actual  service,  ten  years  up  to  this  date  (1905)  as  the 
State  Council  Secretary,  Brother  Herbert  Smith  might  be  classed 
as  the  "  Nestor  of  Maine."  Eespected  and  esteemed,  he  has  been 
unanimously  reelected  to  his  present  position  at  each  successive 
session. 

The  Election  Board  submitted  the  following  returns  as  the 
officers  for  the  ensuing  year : 

State  Councilor — George  R.  Bowley,  Sanford, 

State  Vice-Councilor— E.  E.  Bragdon,  East  Sullivan, 

State  Secretary — Herbert  Smith,  Springvale, 

State  Treasurer — Wm.  M.  Woodcock,  East  Wilton, 

State  Chaplain— H.  H.   Schofield,  Weld, 

State  Conductor— George  W.  Grover,  Phillips, 

State  Warden — W.  F.  Fogg,  Harrison, 

State  Inside  Sentinel — H.  E.  Harnden,  Phillips, 

State  Outside  Sentinel— E.  E.  Love,  North  Shapleigh. 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  481 

MARYLAND 

"  Maryland,  my  Maryland,"  famous  in  story  and  song,  from 
whose  historic  fortress,  Fort  McHenry,  floated  the  proud  old  flag 
that  inspired  the  Muse  of  Key  and  gave  to  America  the  grandest 
ode  to  the  grandest  banner  the  world  ever  knew,  the  "  Star 
Spangled  Banner,"  early  in  the  seventies  imbibed  the  sentiments 
and  principles  of  the  Jr.  0.  U.  A.  M.,  being  the  fourth  state  to 
establish  a  State  Council. 

We  are  very  much  indebted  to  Brother  Chas.  S.  Davis,  State 
Council  Secretary  of  Maryland,  for  the  loan  of  printed  matter,  not 
only  from  1885,  when  the  first  printed  proceedings  were  published, 
but  for  an  abstract  from  the  written  records  of  the  State  Body 
prepared  by  the  late  Brother  J.  Adam  Sohl,  from  the  time  the 
State  Council  was  instituted  until  the  year  above  stated. 

To  the  Senior  0.  IT.  A.  M.  belongs  the  credit  of  the  organ- 
ization of  the  first  Councils  of  the  Junior  0.  TJ.  A.  M.,  Baltimore 
Council,  No.  1,  being  the  first  one  instituted  in  the  City  of  Balti- 
more, January  31,  1870,  by  National  Councilor  John  W.  Calver, 
assisted  by  National  Secretary  Edw.  S.  Deemer,  with  31  applicants. 
The  institution  of  Maryland  Council,  No.  2,  followed  February  15, 
conducted  by  Deputy  National  Councilor  John  W.  Holden.  On 
the  same  evening,  Washington  Council,  No.  3,  at  Chesapeake  City, 
was  instituted  by  Deputy  National  Councilor  Frank  M.  Mowery, 
of  No.  3,  Pennsylvania,  with  14  applicants,  who  also  instituted 
United  Council,  No.  4,  on  February  22,  at  Baltimore;  whereupon, 
steps  were  taken  to  establish  a  State  Council,  a  preliminary  meeting 
having  been  held  March  4,  1870,  at  which  time  a  request  for  a 
charter  for  a  State  Council  was  made  and  the  same  was  granted 
March  29  following,  and  on  April  8,  1870,  the  State  Council  of 
Maryland  was  duly  instituted  with  the  following  officers  elected : 

State  Councilor — Joseph  Smiley, 
State   Vice-Councilor — John   N.   Marquette, 
State  Council  Secretary — J.  Adam  Sohl, 
State  Council  Treasurer — Geo.  W.  Mifflin, 
State  Council  Conductor — William  H.  Hudson, 

State  Council  Warden — , 

State  Council  Sentinels — Wm.  A.  Abercombie  and  Lewis  H.  Voght. 

Representatives  to  the  National  Council,  J.  Adam  Sohl,  Joseph 
Smiley,  Wm.  H.  Hudson,  Geo.  W.  Mifflin  and  Lewis  Voght.  J. 
Adam  Sohl  and  Joseph  Smiley  for  years  were  conspicuous  in  the 
affairs  of  the  National  Body,  Brother  Sohl  having  an  almost  con- 
tinued history  therewith  until  1904,  when,  on  account  of  physical 
3i 


482  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

disabilities,  he  was  compelled  to  relinquish  his  office  as  National 
Treasurer.  He  was  elected  National  Marshal  at  the  session  of  1871, 
reelected  in  1872,  elected  National  Protector  in  1873,  again  elected 
National  Marshal  in  1874.  In  1877  he  was  placed  in  the  Chair  of 
National  Vice-Councilor,  promoted  to  National  Councilor  in  1878, 
and  elected  National  Treasurer  in  1883,  which  office  he  held  consecu- 
tively until  1904.  Joseph  Smiley  was  elected  National  Vice- 
Conncilor  in  1872  and  National  Councilor  in  1873,  thus  conferring 
high  honors  on  two  of  Maryland's  noblest  Juniors. 

The  State  Council  of  Maryland  met  in  semi-annual  session  for 
years,  the  first  half  yearly  meeting  being  held  July  16,  1870,  at 
which  time  the  percentage,  as  it  was  then  termed,  from  four  of  her 
five  Councils,  amounted  to  only  nine  dollars  and  twenty-two  cents. 
At  the  Thirty-seventh  Annual  Session,  held  in  1906,  Maryland's 
per  capita  tax  amounted  to  thirteen  thousand,  seven  hundred  and 
ninety-nine  dollars  and  seven  cents,  and  a  total  income  for  State 
Council  purposes  from  all  sources  of  $14,453.60. 


The  First  Annual  Session  of  the  State  Council  was  held  on 
January  21,  1871,  at  which  session  John  N.  Marquette  was  elected 
State  Councilor  and  Geo.  W.  Mifflin  State  Vice-Councilor.  Broth- 
ers Sohl  and  Voght  were  reelected  Secretary  and  Treasurer,  respec- 
tively. The  Secretary  was  allowed  $15  a  year  for  his  services;  but 
very  frequently  there  Avas  nothing  in  the  treasury  to  pay  him, 
hence  much  of  his  service  in  the  earlier  years  of  the  State  Council 
was  given  for  nothing ;  in  fact,  Brother  Sohl  often  went  down  into 
his  own  pocket  for  the  "  sinews  of  war."  In  order  to  get  the 
machinery  moving  properly,  several  special  meetings  were  held 
during  the  year. 

At  the  Second  Annual  Session,  Geo.  W.  Mifflin  was  elevated 
to  the  position  of  State  Councilor,  and  the  State  Secretary  and 
Treasurer  reelected.  The  receipts  of  the  year  were  $100.74,  while 
the  disbursements  were  $100.15,  leaving  a  balance  of  fifty-nine 
cents.  During  the  year,  State  Councilor  Mifflin  resigned,  where- 
upon, State  Council  Treasurer  Lewis  H.  Voght  was  elected  to  fill 
the  position  at  the  semi-annual  meeting  held  July  22,  1872. 


But  two  of  the  elective  officers  were  present  at  the  opening  of 
the  annual  session  held  January  27,  1873.  A  resolution  was 
adopted  requesting  the  State  Council,  O.  U.  A.  M.,  to  enact  a  law 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  483 

admitting  members  of  the  Junior  Order  when  they  "  arrive  at  the 
proper  age  "  for  less  sum  than  new  members. 

For  State  Councilor,  James  C.  Bowen  was  elected;  for  State 
Vice-Councilor,  W.  E.  Alderdice;  State  Council  Secretary,  J.  Adam 
Sohl,  and  for  State  Council  Treasurer,  Win.  H.  Hudson.  Four 
meetings  of  the  State  Body  were  held  during  the  year. 


The  Fifth  Annual  Session  was  held  January  26,  1874,  with 
State  Councilor  James  C.  Bowen  in  the  Chair.  Brother  Robert 
Ogle,  so  well  and  favorably  known  throughout  the  entire  Order, 
was  a  Representative  from  Baltimore  Council,  No.  1.  The  State 
Councilor  reported  an  increase  of  4  Councils  and  377  members. 
An  adjourned  session  was  held  on  the  following  day,  in  the  evening, 
at  which  time  the  officers  were  elected  and  installed  as  follows: 

State  Councilor — W.   E.  Alderdice, 
State  Vice-Councilor — John  J.  Snyder, 
State  Council  Secretary — J.  Adam  Sohl, 
State  Council  Treasurer — Wm.  H.  Hudson. 

An  increase  from  $15  to  $25  was  allowed  the  State  Council 
Secretary. 

State  Councilor  W.  E.  Alderdice  presided  at  the  Sixth  Annual 
Session,  January  25,  1875.  The  officers  elected  for  the  ensuing 
year  were :  J.  J.  Snyder,  for  State  Councilor ;  Geo.  A.  Burrier,  for 
State  Vice-Councilor,  while  the  Secretary  and  Treasurer  were  re- 
elected to  their  respective  positions. 

The  increase  in  membership  was  227,  there  being  a  total  of 
11  Councils  and  772  members.  Up  to  this  date  all  the  meetings 
of  the  State  Council,  annual,  semi-annual  and  quarterly,  had  been 
held  in  the  City  of  Baltimore;  however,  the  first  quarterlv  meeting 
for  1875  was  held  at  Elicott  City,  April  26.  At  one  of  the  meet- 
ings of  the  year,  it  was  decided  that  postal  cards  could  not  be  used 
in  communicating  with  the  Councils.  The  first  unpleasant  feature 
of  the  year  was  the  preferring  of  charges  against  State  Councilor 
Snyder,  whose  seat  was  declared  vacant,  and  State  Vice-Councilor 
Burrier  was  elected  to  fill  out  the  unexpired  term,  while  Geo.  A. 
Simmons  was  elected  State  Vice-Councilor. 


At  the  annual  session  of  the  State  Body  in  1876,  held  January 
24,  the  receipts  of  the  Subordinate  Councils  from  all  sources  was 
reported    at    $8,841.75,    while    the    disbursements    amounted    to 


484  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

$8,898.04.  The  Order  at  that  time  was  passing  through  its  first 
troubles  and  struggles.  The  depression  of  business  had  much  to 
do  with  this  condition  of  things,  as  it  was  common  in  all  the  states. 
A  committee  on  the  "  Progress  of  the  Order  "  submitted  their  re- 
port, in  which  was  declared  that  not  a  Council  could  be  considered 
in  a  prosperous  condition. 

G.  A.  Simmons  was  declared  elected  State  Councilor  and 
J.  T.  Bitter  State  Vice-Councilor.  At  an  adjourned  session  held 
on  January  26,  a  motion  was  adopted  instructing  the  National 
Eepresentatives  to  advocate  in  the  National  Council  the  placing 
of  a  suitable  prayer  in  the  Ritual;  also,  a  resolution  was  adopted 
instructing  the  Representatives  to  use  their  influence  in  having  the 
Fifth  Object  stricken  out  of  the  Order. 


At  the  session  of  1877,  J.  T.  Ritter  was  elected  State  Coun- 
cilor; J.  B.  Diffey,  State  Vice-Councilor;  Brothers  Sohl  and  Hud- 
son reelected  to  their  respective  positions.  But  $3.09  was  left  in 
the  treasury  at  the  close  of  the  session. 

A  special  session  was  held  May  28,  1877,  in  order  to  act  upon 
a  bill  of  charges  preferred  against  Past  State  Councilor  W.  E. 
Alderdice  for  conduct  unbecoming  a  member  of  the  Order.  At  a 
subsequent  session  the  majority  of  the  Committee  declared  him  to 
be  guilty,  which  report  was  adopted.  At  the  semi-annual  session 
held  in  July,  there  were  but  7  Councils  in  the  state  and  381 
members.  

The  Eighth  i^nnual  Session  was  held  at  Baltimore,  as  usual, 
January  28,  1878,  with  State  Councilor  Ritter  presiding.  The 
continued  depressing  business  situation,  thereby  affecting  labor,  was 
having  its  effect  upon  the  Order  in  Maryland,  as  elsewhere,  six 
Councils  only  reporting  and  the  membership  was  reduced  to  310 
members.  Four  Councils  during  the  year  had  been  forced  to 
suspend  operations  and  surrendered  their  charters,  one  of  which 
to-day  (1906)  is  strong  and  healthy,  its  charter  having  been  re- 
stored, and  is  the  banner  Council  of  Ma^land — Wells  and  Mc- 
Comas  Council — which  has  952  members,  as  per  report  of  1905. 
The  total  worth  of  Councils  then  was  $814.49;  to-day  (1906),  28 
vears  after,  the  assets  of  Maryland's  Councils  are  $237,324.10. 
We  should  never  despise  the  day  of  small  things. 

The  officers  elected  to  serve  for  the  ensuing  year  were  as 
follows : 

State  Councilor — E.  S.  Gage, 

State  Vice-Councilor — R.  T.  Frank, 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  485 

with  Brothers  Sohl  and  Hudson  reelected  State  Council  Secretary 
and  State  Council  Treasurer. 

After  all  expenses  had  been  paid,  there  remained  in  the  treas- 
ury $7.67.  A  very  commendable  feature  had  been  adopted  pre- 
viously, the  establishing  of  a  Library,  the  Committee  reporting  at 
this  session  361  books.  A  special  session  was  called  for  June  5, 
and  the  semi-annual  session  was  held  July  22,  1878,  at  which 
session  the  seat  of  State  Councilor  Gage  was  declared  vacant  and 
State  Vice-Councilor  Frank  elected  to  fill  the  unexpired  term,  while 
J.  W.  Granger  was  elected  State  Vice-Councilor. 


For  the  ninth  time  the  State  Council  met  in  annual  session 
in  the  City  of  Baltimore,  January  27,  1879,  with  State  Councilor 
Frank  in  the  Chair.  In  conformity  to  law,  more  than  one  Repre- 
sentative could  be  elected  from  each  Council,  sometimes  a  Council 
having  four  Representatives  present. 

The  year  1878  brought  the  Order  quite  prominently  before  the 
public,  it  being  the  quarto-centennial  of  the  birth  of  the  Jr. 
0.  U.  A.  M.,  through  a  large  public  meeting  held  in  the  City  of 
Baltimore.  The  interest  in  the  Order  was  further  increased  by  the 
session  of  the  National  Council  being  held  in  Baltimore  in  June 
of  same  year. 

J.  W.  Granger  was  elected  State  Councilor,  C.  H.  Fisher  State 
Vice-Councilor,  J.  Adam  Sohl  State  Council  Secretary  and  C.  II . 
Crawford  State  Council  Treasurer. 


The  Tenth  Annual  Session  was  held  January  26,  1880,  with 
State  Councilor  Granger  presiding.  In  the  selection  of  officers, 
C.  H.  Fisher  was  elected  State  Councilor,  J.  P.  Rumpf  State  Vice- 
Councilor,  J.  Adam  Sohl  State  Council  Secretary  and  W.  A.  Har- 
vey State  Council  Treasurer. 

J.  P.  Rumpf  was  promoted  State  Councilor  at  the  session  of 
1881,  who  at  this  writing  (1906),  is  still  one  of  Maryland's  most 
active  workers.  The  Order  during  the  year  took  part  in  the 
Sesqui-Centennial  of  Maryland,  turning  out  200  men  of  a  member- 
ship of  370,  in  the  parade  on  the  occasion. 


The  Twelfth  Annual  Session  convened  in  1882,  with  State 
Councilor  Rumpf  presiding.  There  was  an  upward  turn  in  the 
affairs  of  the  Order  in  Maryland  during  the  year,  the  membership 


486  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

being  reported  at  105.  K.  W.  Watkins  was  elected  State  Councilor 
and  C.  H.  Garrett  State  Vice-Councilor.  Brothers  Sohl  and  Har- 
vey were  reelected  to  their  respective  positions.  The  name  of 
Brother  G.  A.  Davis,  at  present  (1906)  the  State  Councilor,  first 
appears  on  the  list  as  a  Representative. 


R.  W.  Watkins  presided  at  the  session  of  the  State  Body  in 
1883,  at  which  time  C.  H.  Garrett  was  elected  State  Councilor  and 
W.  H.  McCawley  State  Vice-Councilor. 

The  law  was  amended  to  establish  an  Executive  Board,  consist- 
ing of  the  State  Councilor,  State  Vice-Councilor,  Jr.  Past  State 
Councilor,  the  State  Council  Secretary,  the  State  Council  Treas- 
urer and  two  members  elected  by  the  State  Council.  A  committee 
on  the  Extension  of  the  Order  was  also  created. 


State  Councilor  Garrett  presided  at  the  session  of  1884. 
Brother  F.  A.  Buschman's  name  appears  on  the  list  of  Represen- 
tatives at  this  session.  He  is  still,  at  this  writing  (1906),  an 
active  spirit  in  the  affairs  of  the  Order,  always  faithful  and  earnest. 

W.  H.  McCawley  was  selected  State  Councilor  and  W.  F. 
Streeks  State  Vice-Councilor.  The  present  State  Council  Secre- 
tary (1906),  C.  S.  Davis,  appears  as  a  Representative  at  the 
semi-annual  meeting. 

The  Sixteenth  Annual  Session  was  held  at  Baltimore  (never 
held  anywhere  else),  that  is,  the  annual  meeting  of  January  26, 
18S5,  and  was  adjourned  from  evening  to  evening,  closing  on  the 
evening  of  the  third  day.  State  Councilor  McCawley  presided, 
there  being  42  members  present.  With  this  session  the  printed 
proceedings  begin,  from  which  we  cull  the  brief  facts  that  follow. 

At  this  time  the  Order  in  Maryland  consisted  of  but  6  Coun- 
cils, with  a  total  membership  of  429.  These  were  the  days  of 
slow  growth,  even  in  Pennsylvania  there  was  but  small  advance 
annually.  The  people  had  not  yet  awakened  to  the  fact  of  the 
importance  of  fostering  and  maintaining  an  American  organization. 
Notwithstanding  these  were  days  of  "  small  things/'  the  Maryland 
brethren  conducted  the  business  of  the  State  Council  with  as  much 
carefulness  and  fidelity  as  if  they  legislated  for  tens  of  thousands. 
The  sessions,  being  held  in  Baltimore,  were  usually  held  in  the 
evenings,  adjourning  from  evening  to  evening  until  the  business 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  48? 

of  the  session  was  concluded.     After  adopting  a  code  of  laws,  the 
State  Council  adjourned  with  the  following  officers: 

State  Councilor — W.  F.  Streeks, 
State   Vice-Councilor — Chas.   H.   Crawford, 
State  Council  Secretary — J.  Adam  Sohl, 
State  Council  Treasurer — W.  A.  Harvey. 


State  Councilor  Streeks  presided  at  the  session  of  1886.  No 
new  Councils  had  been  organized,  and  all  that  belonged  to  the 
Order  in  the  state  were  located  within  the  limits  of  Baltimore 
City. 

Chas.  H.  Crawford  was  elected  State  Councilor  and  F.  A. 
Buschman  State  Vice-Councilor. 

Maryland,  again,  was  honored  with  a  National  Councilor — 
Harry  Krausz,  who  was  present  at  the  session.  State  Council 
Secretary  Phil.  Meisel,  Jr.,  of  Virginia,  was  also  a  visitor. 


The  annual  session  of  1887,  convened  on  January  21,  State 
Councilor  Crawford  presiding.  The  Order  during  the  year  passed 
beyond  the  city  limits,  a  Council  with  31  applicants  having  been 
instituted,  while  the  membership  reached  657. 

As  was  the  case  everywhere,  the  public  knew  but  little  of  the 
Order,  even  the  ministers  were  ignorant  of  its  purpose.  Maryland 
had  the  same  difficulty  with  the  clergy  as  other  states  when  they 
were  called  upon  to  preach  the  annual  Thanksgiving  sermon;  too 
often  delivering  a  discourse  on  labor,  thinking,  from  the  Order's 
name,  that  it  was  a  labor  organization.  The  writer  was  led  into 
the  same  error,  judging  from  the  name,  and  on  one  occasion 
preached  a  sermon,  by  request  of  General  Putman  Council,  No. 
125,  of  Pennsylvania,  taking  for  his  subject  "  The  Dignity  of 
Labor."  On  being  taken  to  task  by  one  of  the  members  for  not 
preaching  on  the  Principles  of  the  Order,  of  which  the  members 
had  failed  to  post  us,  we  asked,  "  What  are  you  anyway  ?  "  "  Join 
our  Council  and  see,"  was  the  reply ;  and  we  did  "  ride  the  goat/'' 
which  was  in  1886,  and  learned  the  true  purpose  of  the  organ- 
ization. 

Maryland,  as  we  started  out  to  say,  passed  a  resolution  at  this 
session  to  have  a  letter  prepared  to  hand  to  the  minister  which  be- 
gan as  follows: 

"  Deae  Sib. — 
"  We  would   call   your   attention  to  the  name  of  the  Junior   Order 
United  American  Mechanics,  so  that  you  will  preach  to  us  what  we  are, 
and  not  what  impression  our  name  would  make.    We  are  no  labor  organiza- 


488  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

tion;  by  the  term  Mechanics,  we  do  not  mean  the  daily  laborer,  or  even 
he  who  works  with  united  hand  and  brain,  but  one  who  in  any  honest 
manner  contributes  to  his  support  or  the  welfare  of  humanity." 

Then  followed  the  motto  and  Objects  of  the  Order. 

An  Intelligence  Committee  was  appointed  for  the  purpose  of 
carrying  out  better  the  intent  of  the  Second  Object  of  the  Order. 
For  State  Councilor,  F.  A.  Buschman  was  elected,  and  Geo.  D. 
Magruder  was  selected  State  Vice-Councilor.  Sohl  and  Harvey  re- 
elected. A  special  session,  as  well  as  the  semi-annual  session,  was 
held  during  the  year. 

January  23-25,  1888,  found  the  State  Council  in  session,  with 
State  Councilor  Buschman  presiding.  ,  Baltimore,  in  the  month  of 
June,  1887,  had  entertained  the  National  Council  in  a  very  cordial 
manner,  $356  having  been  expended  in  entertaining  the  body. 
Hagerstown  furnished  a  new  Council  since  the  last  annual  meeting. 
Brother  Buschman  "set  the  pace"  for  visitations,  he  having  offi- 
cially visited  each  Council  twice  during  his  administration.  He 
also  instituted  the  Council  at  Hagerstown,  its  charter  list  being 
74,  and  by  the  time  of  the  meeting  of  the  State  Council,  it  had 
grown  to  125.  Brother  Buschman  spoke  of  the  membership  of 
the  new  Council  "  whose  physical,  mental  and  moral  qualities  are 
second  to  none  in  this  state."  Multiply  Council  was  also  insti- 
tuted, making  two  Councils  for  the  year.  The  membership  made  a 
gratifying  increase,  reaching  nearly  900.  There  was  the  "  sound 
of  a  going  in  the  tops  of  the  mulberry  trees,"  so  far  as  the  Order 
was  concerned,  and  the  future  of  "  My  Maryland  "  was  beginning 
to  loom  up  brightly. 

Pennsylvanians,  viz. :  Brothers  Deemer,  D.  N.  C.  E.  L.  Mc- 
Cully,  W.  H.  Varnick  and  S.  S.  Sibbs  were  present  at  the  session. 

In  the  election  of  officers,  the  following  were  selected: 

State  Councilor — Geo.  D.  Magruder, 

State   Vice-Councilor — G.   W.   Warrenberger. 

Brothers   Sohl   and   Harvey   were   reelected. 


The  Twentieth  Annual  Session  was  held  January  29,  1889, 
State  Councilor  Magruder  presiding.  A  special  session,  however, 
had  been  held  August  10,  1888,  to  consider  the  proposed  plan  of  a 
"  Savings  and  Building  Association,"  to  be  under  the  supervision 
of  the  Order  and  for  the  members  of  the  organization.  The 
proposition  was  adopted  and  a  charter  asked  for. 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  489 

Four  new  Councils  were  reported  at  the  annual  session,  mak- 
ing 13  in  all,  with  a  total  membership  of  1,381,  being  a  gain  of 
490.  Financially,  the  Councils  were  advancing  as  well  as  numeri- 
cally, the  receipts  from  all  sources  amounting  to  $8,228.79 ;  paid 
for  relief,  $1,933.22 ;  worth  of  Councils,  $5,849.69 ;  receipts  of  State 
Council,  $715.63. 

It  must  have  been  gratifying  to  the  leaders  of  the  Order  to 
witness  such  a  marked  advance  along  all  lines.  For  20  years  the 
little  band  of  brothers  had  laid  well  and  secure  the  foundation 
principles  of  the  Order  upon  which  was  to  be  built  the  great  State 
Council  of  Maryland  within  the  next  decade  and  a  half. 

The  result  of  the  election  of  officers  was  as  follows :   . 

State  Councilor — Geo.  W.  Warrenberger, 

State  Vice-Councilor — E.   F.   Boblits, 

State  Council  Secretary — J.  Adam  Sohl    (reelected), 

State  Council  Treasurer — W.  A.  Harvey   (reelected). 

As  a  very  befitting  and  pleasant  recognition  of  the  20  years' 
service  of  State  Council  Secretary  Sohl,  he  was  made  the  recipient 
of  a  gold  watch. 

The  Order  in  Maryland  began  its  third  decade  of  history  under 
auspicious  skies  at  the  Twenty-first  Annual  Session  held,  as  per 
change  of  time  previously  made,  April  28,  1890,  State  Councilor 
Warrenberger  presiding,  there  being  about  50  members  in  attend- 
ance. Five  new  Councils  had  been  instituted  and  the  gain  in 
membership  was  248.  The  announcement  of  the  tellers  of  the  vote 
for  officers  showed  that  E.  F.  Boblits  had  been  elected  State  Coun- 
cilor, H.  J.  Smith  State  Vice-Councilor  and  Charles  Reimer  State 
Council  Treasurer. 

A  perusal  of  the  proceedings  of  the  session  indicates  that  the 
brethren  were  not  all  of  one  mind  by  any  means  upon  the  various 
questions  before  the  body,  there  being  many  roll-calls  and  appeals 
from  the  Chair,  etc. 

Rev.  J.  R.  Boblits  was  announced  as  a  candidate  for  National 
Vice-Councilor,  and  a  resolution  endorsing  him  for  that  position 
was  adopted. 

The  semi-annual  sessions  of  the  State  Body  having  been  dis- 
continued, the  regular  annual  meeting  convened  at  Hagerstown, 
April  21  and  22,  1891,  State  Vice-Councilor  H.  J.  Smith  presiding 
in  the  absence  of  State  Councilor  Boblits.     The  Board  of  Officers 


490  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

reported  five  new  Councils  and  an  increased  interest  throughout 
the  state,  there  being  23  Councils  and  2,107  members. 

The  election  of  officers  resulted  as  follows: 

State  Councilor — H.  J.  Smith, 

State  Vice-Councilor — Wm.  H.  Schilling. 

Brothers  Sohl  and  Reinier  were  unanimously  reelected  Secretary  and 
Treasurer  of  the  body. 

The  Maryland  brethren  had  many  appeals  to  settle,  some  of 
them  having  to  be  sent  to  the  National  Council  for  adjustment. 
There  were  "  giants "  in  those  days  on  parliamentary  law  and 
usages. 

Eighteen  hundred  and  ninety-two,  April  19-20,  again  found 
the  State  Council  in  the  City  of  Baltimore  in  annual  session,  State 
Councilor  H.  J.  Smith  in  the  Chair.  The  representation  was 
large,  about  60  answering  roll-call  at  the  first  session. 

A  remarkable  uplift  had  come  to  the  Order  during  the  year, 
28  new  Councils  having  been  instituted.  The  State  Councilor 
spoke  in  highest  terms  of  Jas.  A.  Mullen,  who  had  organized  6  new 
Councils  and  instituted  12,  and  of  N.  S.  Munson  who,  in  Washing- 
ton Count}'  alone,  had  organized  11  of  the  new  Councils.  One 
year  previous  the  state  had  23  Councils  and  2,104  members;  at 
this  session  the  Order  had  made  a  leap  to  51  Councils  and  4,000 
members,  100  per  cent,  increase.  This  marvelous  advance  was 
attributable  to  two  things:  (1)  A  State  Organizer;  (2)  The 
awakening  of  the  public  mind,  through  flag  raisings  and  public 
demonstrations,  to  the  principles  and  purposes  of  the  Order. 

The  announcement  was  made  that  Past  National  Councilor 
Krausz  had  departed  this  life  April  7,  1892. 

No  contest  appearing,  the  State  Council  Secretary  cast  the 
vote  of  the  State  Council,  resulting  in  the  election  of  "Wm.  H. 
Schilling  for  State  Councilor  and  James  T.  Disney  for  State  Vice- 
Councilor.     Under  the  law,  the  Secretary  and  Treasurer  held  over. 


The  "  Queen  City  "  of  Maryland,  Cumberland,  had  the  honor 
to  entertain  the  State  Body  in  1893,  April  19-20,  with  State  Coun- 
cilor Schilling  presiding.  The  attendance  was  large  and  the  ses- 
sion enthusiastic.  Directly  after  the  reception  of  the  report  of  the 
Credential  Committee,  the  following  resolution  was  adopted: 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  491 

"  Whereas,  Past  State  Councilor  Stephen  Collins,  National  Organizer, 
has  been  doing  grand  work  in  planting  our  banner  among  the  'Rockies'; 
therefore,  be  it 

"  Resolved,  That  we  send  our  greetings  to  Brother  Collins,  and  assure 
him  of  our  appreciation  of  the  good  work  he  is  doing  in  extending  the 

0rder-  "  J.  Adam  Sohl, 

"  Wm.  H.  Schilling, 
"  Robert  Ogle." 

State  Councilor  Schilling,  in  chaste  and  beautiful  terms,  re- 
ferred to  the  standing  and  prominence  of  the  organization,  the 
character  of  its  membership,  and  especially  referred  to  the  demon- 
stration on  September  12,  1892,  "  Old  Defenders'  Day,"  the  first 
of  a  series  of  demonstrations  that  the  Maryland  Juniors  have 
participated  in,  until  it  is  known  as  "Juniors'  Day,"  and  is  one  of 
the  great  days  of  Maryland,  not  only  for  the  Order,  but  for  the 
people  who  have  made  it  a  holiday,  and  tens  of  thousands  annually 
celebrate  the  Battle  of  North  Point  along  with  the  Juniors.  The 
State  Councilor,  in  alluding  to  this  event,  says : 

"  This  affair  had  a  tendency  to  inculcate  in  the  minds  and  hearts  of 
the  youth  and  of  our  citizens  and  children,  the  principles  of  true  Ameri- 
canism on  which  our  Order  is  founded.  Never  before  has  the  name  of  the 
Jr.  O.  U.  A.  M.  been  heralded  forth  throughout  the  old  State  of  Maryland 
as  it  was  and  has  been  since  last  '  Old  Defenders  Day.'  Since  this  won- 
derful demonstration,  our  smallest  school  child  is  being  taught  the  lessons 
of  our  standard,  the  American  flag." 

Besides  the  Deputy  State  Councilor,  there  had  been  created  by 
the  Maryland  State  Council  a  new  office,  District  Deputy  State 
Councilor,  which  was  a  "  move  in  the  right  direction."  One  object 
of  the  new  office  was  to  relieve  the  State  Councilor  of  making 
official  visitations,  that  duty  being  placed  upon  the  District  Deputy 
State  Councilors.  The  very  best  men  were  appointed  to  this  posi- 
tion, and  from  this  fact  came  the  great  progress  that  Maryland 
for  years  was  to  enjoy. 

We  have  noted  in  the  earlier  history  of  the  state  the  small 
income,  etc.,  received  by  the  Subordinate  Councils.  By  way  of 
contrast,  at  this  session  with  the  Order  advancing  by  great  strides, 
the  following  financial  statement  was  made: 

Received  by  Subordinate  Councils  from  all  sources.  .$39,605.79 

Paid  for  Relief  and  Benefits 10.0S9.26 

Worth  of  Councils 26,370.99 

Thirteen  new  Councils  were  instituted  since  the  last  session  and 
a  gain  of  1,946  in  membership  was  made,  bringing  the  total  mem- 
bership to  5,675. 


492  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

J.  T.  Disney  was  elected  State  Councilor  and  Harry  S.  Barry 
State  Vice-Councilor. 

As  noted  elsewhere,,  the  governing  body  of  the  Order  in  the 
state  was  placed  in  the  hands  of  the  Executive  Board,  consisting 
of  the  Jr.  Past  State  Councilor,  State  Councilor,  State  Vice-Coun- 
cilor, State  Council  Secretary  and  Treasurer,  and  two  members 
of  the  State  Council  elected  by  ballot.  All  items  of  business  were 
brought  before  this  Board  and  their  actions  were  subjected  to  the 
approval  or  disapproval  of  the  State  Council.  Questions  of  law, 
applications  for  charters  and  the  order  to  pay  bills  came  before 
the  Board.  The  reports  of  the  Board  from  year  to  year  were 
voluminous,  covering  fifteen  to  twenty  pages  of  the  Proceedings 
in  submitting  a  resume  of  the  work  and  business  of  the  year. 


Elkton,  on  April  17  and  18,  1894,  entertained  the  State  Coun- 
cil, in  Twenty-fifth  Annual  Session,  presided  over  by  State  Coun- 
cilor James  T.  Disney.  There  was  a  large  attendance  and  every 
one  was  "  on  the  mountain-top "  of  ecstacies  over  the  continued 
prosperity  of  the  Order  all  over  the  state.  National  Secretary 
Deemer  was  present  to  rejoice  with  the  brethren  over  their  success — 
the  greatest  of  any  year  in  the  quarto-centennial  of  the  Order's  his- 
tory in  Maryland — there  being  nearly  100  Councils  bearing  aloft 
the  banner  of  Juniorism,  and,  as  per  report  of  December  31,  1893, 
there  were  7,755  members. 

In  the  election  officers,  the  following  were  selected: 

State  Councilor — H.  S.  Barry, 

State   Vice-Councilor — N.   S.   Munson, 

State  Council  Secretary — Robert  Ogle, 

State  Council  Treasurer— Charles  Reinier   (reelected). 

The  report  of  Special  Deputy  State  Councilor  J.  A.  Mullen 
was  elaborate,  and  contained  a  complete  resume  of  a  busy  and  suc- 
cessful year  in  the  way  of  organizing  new  Councils  and  strength- 
ening old  ones. 

There  comes  in  the  lives  of  men  who  have  been  conspicuous, 
the  "  passing,"  which  is  full  of  sadness,  not  only  to  themselves  but 
those  whom  they  have  faithfully  served.  Such  a  "  passing  "  came 
at  this  time  to  one  of  Maryland's  most  faithful  and  enthusiastic 
Juniors — Brother  J.  Adam  Sohl — for  24  years  the  State  Council 
Secretary  of  Maryland.  A  sudden  and  unexpected  attack  of 
nervous  trouble  compelled  Brother  Sohl  to  relinquish  all  mental 
and  physical  labor.     State  Councilor  Disney  had  this  to  say: 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  493 

"  I  know  of  no  one  who  has  been  so  dear  to  our  hearts  as  Bro.  Sohl. 
His  name  for  almost  a  quarter  of  a  century  has  been  a  welcomed  visitor 
to  every  household  in  the  Jr.  O.  U.  A.  M.  Bro.  Sohl  entered  upon  his  career 
as  State  Council  Secretary  24  years  ago.  The  Order  at  that  time  was 
small  in  numbers,  consisting  of  several  Councils  with  a  membership  of 
400,  and  with  no  money  in  the  treasury  to  pay  the  salary  of  the  State 
Council  Secretary,  and  with  all  these  obstacles  surrounding  our  brother, 
he,  as  a  good  and  faithful  American,  came  to  the  Order's  rescue  and 
assisted  in  maintaining  its  dignity,  financially  and  otherwise.  And  after 
many  years  of  activity,  untiring  services  and  struggling;  having  passed 
through  many  seas  of  anxiety  and  trouble,  at  times  almost  on  the  verge 
of  shipwreck,  he  as  a  true  patriot,  clung  to  the  mast  until  the  Order  has 
crossed  the  sea  of  despair  and  landed  safely  on  the  shore  of  prosperity; 
and  now  after  years  of  anxiety  and  worry  of  mind  for  the  advance  of 
the  Order,  and  his  efforts  having  been  rewarded  with  success,  he  has  been 
forced  to  lay  down  the  armor  of  activity  as  ill  health  prevents  him  from 
enjoying  the  fruits  of  his  labors." 


The  Twenty-sixth  Annual  Session  was  held  at  Manchester, 
April  16  and  17,  1895,  with  State  Councilor  Barry  in  the  Chair, 
and  more  than  150  members  in  attendance.  A  gavel  made  from 
wood  of  the  ship  "  Constitution  "  was  presented  to  the  State  Coun- 
cil. The  State  Councilor  was  able  to  report  a  more  prosperous 
year  than  the  preceding  one,  great  even  as  that  was,  and  greatest 
in  the  history  of  the  State  Council. 

State  Council  Secretary  Ogle  had,  in  his  first  report,  the  pleas- 
ure of  submitting  a  statement  of  the  unprecedented  advancement 
made  by  the  Order  during  the  year.  By  way  of  comparison  with 
the  earlier  years,  the  following  status  is  given: 

Number    of    Councils 136 

Number   of   Members 11,811 

Received  by  Subordinate  Councils $82,826.15 

Paid  for  Benefits  and  Relief 27.335.28 

Worth  of  Councils 55,709.59 

There  were  34  new  Councils  instituted  during  the  year  and  a  gain 
in  membership  of  5,056. 

N.  S.  Munson  was  elected  State  Councilor  and  H.  T.  Brown 
State  Vice-Councilor.  The  "  American  Guards,"  a  new  organiza- 
tion, military  in  character,  was  endorsed. 


Frederick,  on  April  14  and  15,  1896,  entertained  the  State 
Body,  N.  S.  Munson,  State  Councilor,  presiding,  with  170  members 
present. 

Again,  the  State  Councilor,  like  several  of  the  preceding  ones, 


494  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

could  say,  "  it  was  the  most  prosperous  year  of  the  Order  since  its 
inception."  State  Council  Secretary  Eobert  Ogle  and  State  Coun- 
cil Treasurer  Charles  Reimer  both  resigned  during  the  year  and 
their  places  were  filled  by  action  of  Executive  Board  by  Chas.  S. 
Davis  and  W.  L.  James.  Suitable  resolutions  were  adopted  and 
ordered  engrossed  in  honor  of  the  retiring  officers.  The  number 
of  Councils  increased  from  136  to  171,  and  the  membership  from 
11,811  to  14,904. 

The  Daughters  of  America,  as  an  organization,  was  endorsed 
as  an  auxiliary  to  the  Jr.  0.  U.  A.  M.  in  Maryland. 

The  following  officers  were  elected  for  the  ensuing  year: 

State  Councilor — H.  T.  Brown, 
State   Vice-Councilor — R.    D.    Bowland, 
State  Council  Secretary — C.  S.  Davis, 
State  Council  Treasurer — W.  L.  James. 


The  session  of  1897  was  held  at  Frostburg,  April  20-22,  with 
State  Councilor  H.  T.  Brown  in  the  Chair.  "  Junior  Day," 
Twelfth  of  September,  was  now  a  reality,  and  a  report  of  its  cele- 
bration was  submitted.  Advance  along  all  lines  had  been  made, 
but  not  to  such  an  extent  as  the  year  previous,  but  14  new  Councils 
had  been  instituted  and  the  membership  increased  2,023.  Two 
hundred  and  seventeen  votes  were  cast  for  officers,  resulting  in  the 
election  of  E.  D.  Bowland  for  State  Councilor  and  W.  W.  Baker, 
Jr.,  State  Vice-Councilor. 

The  Legislative  Committee  were  active  in  trying  to  secure 
legislation  in  harmony  with  the  teachings  of  the  organization. 

Three  sets  of  instructions  to  the  National  Representatives 
were  adopted : 

1.  To  vote  for  some  place  east  of  Pittsburg,  for  the  next  ses- 
sion of  the  National  Council. 

2.  To  vote  against  any  amendment  for  the  National  Council  to 
pay  mileage  and  per  diem. 

3.  To  vote  and  work  for  a  member  from  Maryland  for  Na- 
tional Vice- Councilor.  Subsequently  Brother  Charles  Reimer  was 
announced  as  Maryland's  choice. 

A  Labor  Bureau  had  been  organized  to  better  carry  out  the 
Second  Object. 

The  Twenty-ninth  Annual  Session  was  held  at  Salisbury, 
April  19-21,  1898,  State  Councilor  Bowland  presiding.  One 
among  the  first  items  of  business  was  the  adoption  of  a  resolution 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  495 

urging  upon  the  Legislative  Committee  to  try  and  have  the  Legis- 
lature appropriate  an  additional  $500,000  to  the  Public  Schools. 
Strong  resolutions  pledging  to  President  McKinley  the  support  of 
the  Order  in  Maryland  in  defense  of  the  national  honor  in  the  con- 
troversy with  Spain,  were  passed. 

The  Order  in  the  state  during  the  year  had  been  perturbed 
by  some  cowardly  person  or  persons  writing  anonymous  letters 
maligning  some  of  the  best  known  members  of  the  Order  in  the 
state,  even  the  National  Councilor  was  in  receipt  of  some  of  these 
scurrillous  communications.  Those  who  had  been  associated  with 
the  organization  from  earlier  years  came  in  for  a  part  of  the 
malicious  and  unjustifiable  attacks  made. 

Sixteen  new  Councils  stands  to  the  credit  of  Brother  Bow- 
land,  and  the  membership  reported  was  17,809.  Celebration  of 
"  Junior  Day "  was  of  an  unusually  interesting  character.  The 
greatest  difficulty  was  the  securing  of  a  place  in  which  to  hold  the 
demonstration  when  the  usual  street  parade  was  concluded.  The 
Committee  finally  secured  the  grounds  of  Fort  McHenry,  where, 
amidst  its  hallowed  associations,  a  new  life  seemed  to  have  been 
instilled  into  the  Order. 

Two  hundred  and  forty  votes  were  cast  in  the  election  of 
officers,  resulting  in  the  election  of  W.  H.  Baker,  Jr.,  State  Coun- 
cilor, and  Dr.  J.  T.  Waltmeyer,  State  Vice-Councilor.  A  petition 
asking  recognition  for  a  military  organization  known  as  "  Junior 
Kifles,"  was  presented  and  same  was  granted,  by  amending  the 
title  of  name,  making  it  to  read,  "  Uniformed  Eank,  No.  2." 


In  Thirtieth  Annual  Session,  the  State  Council  convened  in 
the  City  of  Baltimore,  April  18-20,  1899,  with  State  Councilor 
Baker  presiding.  But  seven  new  Councils  were  reported  while  the 
membership  increased  from  17,809  to  18,622.  The  usual  routine 
of  business  was  transacted  in  the  usual  careful  and  methodical 
way,  as  at  previous  sessions,  and  harmony  and  good  will  prevailed. 

Two  hundred  and  thirty- three  votes  were  cast  for  officers, 
resulting  as  follows: 

State  Councilor — Dr.  J.  T.  Waltmeyei, 

State   Vice-Councilor — David   Heller, 

State  Council  Secretary — C.  S.  Davis    (reelected), 

State  Council  Treasurer — W.  L.  James    (reelected). 

A  statement  was  made  in  the  form  of  a  resolution,  that  the 
cadets  at  the  Navy  Academy,  located  at  Annapolis,  with  the  excep- 


496  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

tion  of  those  who  were  Roman  Catholics,  who  were  permitted  to  go 
without  the  grounds  to  attend  Divine  worship,  were  compelled  to 
attend  services  at  the  chapel  within  the  grounds  where  the  tenets 
of  one  church  were  presented.  The  resolution  was  addressed  to  the 
President  and  the  Secretary  of  the  Navy,  protesting  against  such 
discrimination,  and  requested  that  the  same  privilege  allowed  those 
of  Roman  Catholic  faith  be  given  those  of  other  sectarian  prefer- 
ences.    The  resolution  was  adopted. 

A  resolution  to  secure  funds  to  purchase  a  suitable  testimonial 
for  Admiral  W.  S.  Schley,  for  his  gallantry  in  the  great  naval 
engagement  off  Santiago,  was  adopted  and  $100  was  contributed 
by  the  State  Council  and  $34  was  given  by  individual  members. 


The  State  Council  met,  at  the  "  Crossing  of  the  Centuries," 
April  17-19,  1900,  at  Cambridge,  with  Dr.  J.  T.  Waltmeyer  pre- 
siding. The  standing  of  Subordinate  Councils  of  Maryland,  at 
this  session,  was  as  follows: 

Number    of    Councils 198 

Number   of   Members 20,919 

Received   from   all   sources $177,396.10 

Paid   for   relief 79,091.37 

Total  worth  of  Councils 133,996.65 

Amount  received  by  the  State  Council $10,301.01 

The  Maryland  brethren  were  sound  on  the  Sunday  question, 
judging  from  the  resolution  adopted  expressing  great  satisfaction 
over  the  defeat  of  a  bill  in  the  Legislature  that  had  a  tendency  to 
create  a  Continental  Sunday,  unqualifiedly  pledging  the  State 
Council  in  favor  of  laws  maintaining  the  Sabbath  as  a  day  of 
worship  and  rest. 

The  officers  elected  were  as  follows: 

State  Councilor — David  Heller, 

State  Vice-Councilor — L.   C.   Webster. 


Oakland  entertained  the  State  Council  in  its  Thirty-second 
Annual  Session,  held  April  16  and  17,  1901,  State  Councilor  David 
Heller  presiding.  Referring  to  the  fact  that  God  had  stayed  the 
hand  of  evil  influences  that  might  have  ruined  and  wrecked  the 
Order,  the  State  Councilor  in  his  report  adds: 

"  We,  who  are  loyal,  knew  we  were  right,  and  the  high  court  of 
Pennsylvania  decided  that  we  were  right,  therefore,  let  us  meet  in  this 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  497 

the   Thirty-second   Annual   Session  with   thanks   to   our   Heavenly   Father, 
and  let  our  acts  be  for  the  good  of  the  Order  and  our  State  Council." 

Officers  for  ensuing  year  were  elected  as  follows : 

State  Councilor — L.  C.  Webster, 

State  Vice-Councilor — H.  B.  Geddes, 

State  Council  Secretary — C.   S.  Davis    (reelected), 

State  Council  Treasurer — W.  L.  James    (reelected). 


The  State  Council  met  at  the  Capital  of  the  state,  Annapolis, 
April  15  and  16,  1902,  with  State  Councilor  L.  C.  Webster  in  the 
Chair.  The  special  per  capita  tax  of  15  cents  that  had  been  levied 
by  the  National  Council  for  the  benefit  of  the  Orphans'  Home, 
and  the  same  having  been  promulgated  by  statute  in  Maryland,  six 
of  her  Councils  refused  to  obey  the  mandates  of  the  National  Body. 
The  State  Councilor  informed  the  erring  Councils  that  if  the 
mandates  of  the  National  Council  were  not  obeyed,  charges  would 
be  preferred  before  the  State  Judiciary.  The  controversy  ended 
by  five  of  the  Councils  rescinding  their  order  to  not  pay  the  tax 
and  paid  the  same.  One,  however,  refused  and  its  charter  was 
revoked. 

The  Committee  on  the  Schley  Testimonial  submitted  their 
report.  One  thousand  three  hundred  and  twenty-seven  dollars  and 
ninety-three  cents  had  been  raised  and  the  same,  exclusive  of  ex- 
penses, was  used  in  obtaining  a  medal  which  was  presented  to  the 
gallant  sea  captain  at  his  home  in  Washington,  which  was  highly 
appreciated  by  the  hero  of  Santiago. 

The  following  officers  were  elected : 

State  Councilor — H.  B.  Geddes, 

State  Vice-Councilor — T.  A.  Burch, 

State  Council  Treasurer — W.  L.  James    (reelected). 


The  Thirty-fourth  Annual  Session  was  held  in  the  City  of 
Baltimore,  April  21  and  22,  1903,  with  State  Councilor  H.  B. 
Geddes  in  the  Chair.  Four  new  Councils  had  been  instituted  while 
the  membership  numbered  18,870. 

A  new  feature  was  submitted  by  the  State  Council  Secretary, 
that  of  incorporating  in  his  report  the  status  of  membership  by 
Councils  and  counties,  giving  the  gain  or  loss  of  each  during  the 
year  over  the  year  previous.  The  purpose  of  this  comparison  was 
to  stimulate  the  Councils  to  greater  activity. 

32 


498  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

In  accordance  with  the  changes  in  the  laws,  what  was  pre- 
viously known  as  the  Executive  Board,  was  displaced  by  the  term 
"  Board  of  Officers  "  being  inserted,  consisting  of  the  State  Coun- 
cilor, State  Vice-Councilor  and  Junior  Past  State  Councilor. 

The  officers  chosen  to  direct  the  affairs  of  the  Order  were : 

State  Councilor — T.  A.  Burch, 

State  Vice-Councilor— G.  W.  Webb, 

State  Council  Treasurer — W.  L.  James   (reelected). 


The  sessions  of  1904  and  1905  were  held  in  Baltimore  and 
Hagerstown,  with  State  Councilors  Burch  and  Webb  presiding  at 
the  respective  sessions.  The  usual  -routine  business  was  transacted, 
the  reports  submitted,  while  peace  and  harmony  reigned  among 
the  brethren. 

The  "  Junior's  Day "  celebration  on  September  12,  called 
"  Old  Defender's  Day,"  in  1903,  was  reported  as  a  great  demon- 
stration, upwards  of  31,000  participating.  At  the  latter  session, 
the  deaths  of  Past  State  Councilors  James  T.  Eitter  and  James  C. 
Bowen  were  announced.  Brother  Bitter  was  one  of  Maryland's 
most  active  workers  and  the  Order  sustained  a  great  loss  in  his 
death. 

State  Councilor  Webb  gave  a  very  good  account  of  his 
"  stewardship  "  by  a  year  of  most  active  work,  giving  much  of  his 
time  to  official  visitations  among  the  Councils.  Hitherto,  this 
feature  of  the  State  Councilor's  work  had  been  placed  in  the  hands 
of  District  D.  S.  C.  and  D.  S.  C. ;  but  at  the  previous  session,  an 
appropriation  had  been  made  in  order  that  the  State  Councilor 
might  give  his  personal  attention  to  the  Councils,  which  action 
resulted  in  great  good. 

State  Vice-Councilor  Smith  made  the  shortest  report  to  be 
found  on  record : 

"  Mr.  Geo.  W.  Webb,  State  Councilor. 
"  Dear  Sir  and  Bro. — 
"  I  have  done  everything  that  I  was  asked  or  saw  to  do. 

"  J.  H.  Smith, 

"8.  V.  O." 

As  an  evidence  of  the  powerful  influence  of  the  Jr.  O.  U.  A.  M. 
in  the  City  of  Baltimore,  the  State  Councilor  sent  a  communica- 
tion to  the  Board  of  School  Commissioners  requesting  them  to 
defer  the  opening  of  the  public  schools  until  September  13,  the  day 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  499 

following  the  Junior  Day  Demonstration.     State  Councilor  Webb, 
in  his  communication,  made  the  following  declaration : 

"  We  affirm  our  devotion  to  the  Public  School  System  and  the  com- 
pulsory education  thereunder. 

"  We  recognize  the  Bible  as  the  foundation  of  both  moral  and  civil 
law,  and  believe  it  should  be  read  in  our  public  schools,  not  to  teach 
sectarianism,  but  moral  excellence. 

"We  would  place  a  flag  upon  and  a  Bible  within  every  schoolhouse 
of  our  land,  that  all  might  learn  these  to  be  a  beacon  light  in  every  storm 
threatening  our  destruction,"  etc. 

These  utterances,  part  of  our  Declaration  of  Principles,  were 
bold  words  to  say  in  a  city  where  Romanism  is  so  strong  as  in 
Baltimore,  but  Brother  Webb  wasn't  afraid  to  say  them.  It  might 
be  added  that  the  request  was  granted  by  the  School  Commissioners. 

The  election  of  officers  resulted  as  follows,  session  of  1905 : 

State  Councilor — J.  H.  Smith, 
State  Vice-Councilor — G.   A.   Davis. 


The  Thirty-seventh  Annual  Session  of  the  State  Council  con- 
vened at  Westminster,  April  17  and  18,  1906,  with  State  Councilor 
James  H.  Smith  presiding,  with  nearly  200  members  present,  the 
vote  for  election  of  officers  being  185.  The  increase  in  membership 
for  the  year  was  reported  at  802.  Eight  new  Councils  were  added 
to  the  list  and  all  reports  showed  the  Order  in  Maryland  to  be  in  a 
healthy  condition  and  strongly  entrenched. 

In  befitting  words  the  State  Councilor  referred  to  the  death 
of  the  Patriarch  of  Maryland  Juniorism,  J.  Adam  Sohl,  saying 
in  part: 

"Words  are  weak  things  when  the  heart  is  filled,  and  we  often  find 
them  inadequate.  So  it  is  with  me  now,  as  I  try  to  speak  to  you  of  our 
departed  brother.  His  death  has  removed  from  our  ranks  a  landmark  of 
which  we  were  proud;  and  a  brother  whom  we  loved.  He  was  an  enthu- 
siastic worker,  conservative  and  possessed  of  most  excellent  judgment. 
We  held  in  great  respect  and  esteem,  J.  Adam  Sohl,  the  Junior,  and  we 
loved  J.  Adam  Sohl,  the  man." 

The  State  Legislative  Committee  protested  against  the  passage 
of  a  bill  in  the  Maryland  Legislature,  appropriating  $50,000  from 
the  "  Burnt  District  Funds "  towards  a  Catholic  institution,  St. 
Mary's  Industrial  School.  The  protest,  however,  was  unavailing, 
the  bill  passing  by  the  constitutional  majority,  which  would  not 
have  been  had  not  five  cowardly  Junior  American  Mechanic*  voted 
for  the  bill. 


500  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

"  Old  Defenders'  Day  "  was  celebrated  with  a  greater  demon- 
stration than  ever,  there  being  estimated  as  being  on  the  ground 
60,000  persons. 

The  honors  of  Past  State  Councilor  were  conferred  on  State 
Council  Secretary  C.  S.  Davis  and  State  Council  Treasurer  W.  L. 
James,  they  having  served  in  their  positions  ten  consecutive  years. 

The  standing  of  the  Order  as  given  by  the  State  Council  Secre- 
tary was  as  follows: 

Number  of  Councils   187 

Number  of  Members 21,686 

Receipts   of  Subordinate   Councils $220,382.64 

Paid  for  Relief 94,269.28 

Wortb  of  Councils 237,324.10 

Receipts  of  State  Council,  all  sources 14,453.64 

After  addresses  by  "  Zip  "  P.  Smith,  editor  of  The  American, 
Stephen  Collins,  Secretary-Manager  Funeral  Benefit  Department ; 
Jr.  Past  State  Councilor  E.  C.  Lafean,  of  Pennsylvania,  and  Deputy 
National  Councilor  Geo.  W.  Arold,  of  same  state,  the  following 
officers  were  installed : 

State  Councilor — G.  A.  Davis, 

State  Vice-Councilor — T.  A.  Wastler, 

State  Council  Secretary — C.  S.  Davis, 

Assistant  Secretary — H.  D.  Moessenger, 

State  Council  Treasurer — W.  L.  James, 

State  Council  Conductor — W.  W.  Wittig, 

State  Council  Warden — C.  S.  Porter, 

State  Council  Chaplain — H.  L.  Mennerick, 

State  Council  Sentinels — E.  R.  Phelps  and  W.  T.  Malin. 

With  the  exception  of  Pennsylvania,  Maryland  has  shown  the 
longest  continuous  and  successive  history  of  any  state  in  the  Union, 
so  far  as  the  Jr.  O.  U.  A.  M.  is  concerned.  For  thirty-seven  years 
(1906)  the  banner  of  Juniorism  has  been  unfurled,  never  once  has 
it  been  taken  down.  In  its  earlier  history,  as  the  preceding  resume 
shows,  the  Order  had  to  struggle  for  its  existence,  making  little 
or  no  progress,  sometimes  up,  other  times  down,  its  influences  for 
years  not  reaching  beyond  the  confines  of  the  City  of  Baltimore. 
Brothers  like  Sohl,  Ogle,  Burner,  Rumpf,  Buschman,  and  others, 
remained  loyal  to  the  organization  and  its  principles  and  to  their 
fidelity  and  patience  the  Order  in-  Maryland  is  indebted  for  its 
eery  life. 

From  a  business  standpoint,  the  Maryland  brethren  were  care- 
ful and  thorough  as  the  proceedings  plainly  show.  The  Executive 
Board,  until  the  "  Board  of  Officers  "  took  its  place,  had  the  super- 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  501 

vision  of  the  affairs  of  the  Order  in  the  interim  between  the  ses- 
sions of  the  State  Body,  the  minutes  of  which  Board  were  the  most 
complete  of  any  State  Council  we  have  found  in  our  reading. 
Everything  connected  with  the  Order,  the  answering  of  questions, 
hearing  of  complaints,  etc.,  came  before  the  Executive  Board. 

To  call  the  roll  of  the  brothers  who  have  aided  in  shaping  the 
policy  of  the  Order  in  Maryland  would  be  a  difficult  task,  as  it 
might  be  possible  to  omit  from  the  list  those  who  may  have  been 
as  active  as  the  ones  named.  But  we  cannot  refrain  from  men- 
tioning a  few,  who,  to  the  writer  in  his  persual  of  the  records, 
seem  to  have  been  prominent  in  the  annals  of  the  organization. 

The  "  passing  "  of  the  beloved  Sohl  leaves  the  "  Patriarch  " 
of  Maryland  Juniorism  (1906)  Past  National  Councilor  Robert 
Ogle.  Equally  as  well  beloved  by  Ins  brethren  is  Past  National 
Councilor  Charles  Reimer.  Still  living  and  at  one  time  very 
active,  Maryland  has  another  Past  National  Councilor,  Brother 
J.  E.  Boblits.  Then  comes  her  array  of  Past  State  Councilors: 
Buschman,  Barry,  Rumpf,  Disney,  Bowland,  Baker,  Webster,  Webb, 
Geddes,  the  Smiths,  J.  H.  and  H.  J. ;  James,  present  State  Council 
Treasurer;  C.  S.  Davis,  present  State  Council  Secretary;  Heller, 
Brown,  Boblits,  E.  F.,  Munson,  Warrenberger,  Magruder,  Crawford, 
Garrett,  Watkins,  Waltmeyer,  Fisher,  Burrier  and  McCawley.  The 
present  State  Councilor  and  State  Vice-Councilor  (1906)  G.  A. 
Davis  and  T.  A.  Wastler,  National  Representatives  Stover,  Mason 
and  McClure,  are  filling  their  places  creditably.  Past  National 
Representatives  Dusang,  Harvey,  W.  J.  Davis,  C.  A.  Rumpf  have 
had  a  permanent  place  in  the  work  of  the  Order.  Dr.  D.  F.  Pen- 
nington, G.  W.  Ritter,  W.  N.  McFaul,  J.  A.  Bateman,  F.  C.  Hasse, 
J.  H.  Baker,  Charles  W.  France,  W.  S.  Howe,  C.  L.  Carmine 
served  well  the  positions  assigned  them. 

Well  done,  Maryland.  Passing  her  20,000  mark,  there  seems 
no  indication  of  decline,  but  everything  points  to  a  grander  future. 
Her  officers  are  men  of  determination  and  intelligence,  having  deep 
at  heart  the  welfare  of  the  Order.  Some  who  years  since  served 
faithfully  in  the  positions  to  which  they  were  assigned,  are  still 
in  the  van  of  the  marching  hosts  encouraging  and  helping  the 
younger  soldiers  in  the  great  Junior  Army.  All  hail,  historic  old 
Maryland*    May  grander  days  be  thine. 


CHAPTER   XXIX 
PROCEEDINGS  OF  STATE  COUNCILS  (Continued) 

MASSACHUSETTS 

THE  Order  in  the  "  Bay  State  "  has  had  an  eventful'  history; 
especially  in  its  earlier  annals.  In  the  face  of  lassitude  and 
the  lack  of  increase,  for  years  not  a  Council  being  added  to  the 
original  number,  for  pluck,  faith  and  determined  stick-to-it-ive- 
ness  on  the  part  of  the  leaders,  there  is  not  a  parallel  in  the  history 
of  the  Order  in  any  state  in  the  Union. 

Enterprise  Council,  No.  1,  Haverhill,  was  instituted  Decem- 
ber 32,  1871,  by  Isaac  H.  Scates,  of  Enterprise  Council,  No.  6, 
N.  J.;  Independence  Council,  No.  2,  was  instituted  May  2,  1872; 
Hand  in  Hand  Council,  No.  3,  March  10,  1873 ;  Advance  Council, 
No.  4,  March  27,  1874;  and  David  L.  Wilbur  Council,  No.  5,  April 
28,  1874;  whereupon  the  State  Council  of  Massachusetts  was  insti- 
tuted at  Charlestown,  on  the  evening  of  May  8,  1874,  by  Deputy 
National  Councilor  C.  T.  Dailey,  of  No.  4.  Those  present  at  the 
institution  were  Morse  and  Jackman,  of  No.  1 ;  Spinney,  Hadley 
and  White,  of  No.  2 ;  Dimond,  Cunningham,  Adams  and  White,, 
of  No.  3 ;  Dailey,  Evans  and  Bobbins,  of  No.  4. 

The  following  officers  were  elected  and  installed : 

State  Councilor — C.  W.  Morse, 
State  Vice-Councilor — I.    G.    Robbins, 
State  Council  Secretary — F.   H.   White, 

State  Council  Treasurer Hadley, 

State  Council  Conductor — C.  H.  Dimond, 

State  Council  Warden Gray, 

State  Inside  Sentinel — F.  Cunningham, 
State  Outside  Sentinel Brown. 

The  proceedings  of  the  first  session  as  well  as  those  of  several 
subsequent  sessions  were  written  in  a  large  day  book,  in  which  the 
earlier  records  had  been  transcribed  by  Brother  Geo.  H.  Greenman, 
when  he  became  State  Council  Secretary,  and  continued  to  write 
the  proceedings,  until  by  action  of  the  State  Body,  they  were  printed 
in  pamphlet  form. 

At  a  special  meeting  of  the  State  Council,  June  4,  following 
the  institution  of  the  Council,  Brothers  Morse,  Eobbins,  White, 
Dimond  and  Dailey  were  elected  Eepresentatives  to  the  National 
502 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  503 

Council;  Dailey,  however,  being  the  only  one  who  attended  the 
National  session,  and  was  elected  National  Doorkeeper. 
The  State  Council  agreed  to  meet  semi-annually. 


A  meeting  of  the  State  Council  was  called  to  convene  at  Bos- 
ton, February  17,  1875,  which  was,  on  motion,  made  the  annual 
meeting.  L.  G.  Bobbins  was  elected  State  Councilor,  F.  H.  White 
State  Vice-Councilor  and  Ceo.  H.  Greenman  State  Council  Secre- 
tary. 

The  Order,  however,  made  slow  progress,  even  one  of  the 
Councils  had  already  disbanded.  The  total  proceeds  of  the  State 
Council  from  its  institution  up  to  this  session  was  $16.64.  The 
short  term  semi-annual  meeting  was  held  July  28,  same  year,  nine 
members  being  present.  An  elaborate  report  was  submitted  by 
State  Councilor  Bobbins,  in  which  he  entered  into  a  detailed  plan 
and  purpose  of  the  work  of  the  Order,  suggesting  certain  changes  in 
the  Objects,  etc. 

F.  H.  White  was  elected  State  Councilor,  Geo.  H.  Green- 
man  State  Vice-Councilor  and  James  F.  Hunt  State  Council 
Secretary. 

The  semi-annual  session  was  held  at  Haverhill,  in  May,  1876. 
For  a  new  body,  a  great  amount  of  business  was  transacted  at  its 
first  meetings,  indicating  that  the  brothers  who  represented  the 
Order  at  the  State  Council  were  men  of  culture  and  executive 
ability. 

Again,  in  November  of  same  year,  the  annual  session  was  held 
in  Boston,  State  Councilor  White  in  the  Chair.  The  election  of 
officers  resulted  as  follows : 

State  Councilor — Geo.  H.  Greenman, 
State  Vice-Councilor — James  F.  Hunt, 
State   Council   Secretary — L.   G.   Robbins. 

But  three  Councils  composed  the  State  Council  of  Massachu- 
setts at  this  time,  not  a  new  one  having  been  organized. 

The  semi-annual  meeting  was  held  in  Boston  in  May  of  1877. 
One  new  council  was  reported,  making  four.  There  were  reported 
96  members  all  told.  Quite  an  animated  discussion  took  place 
growing  out  of  a  communication  from  Council,  No.  2,  in  which  it 
was  alleged  that  the  State  Council  Secretary  had  treated  them 
discourteously.  The  State  Council  Secretary  was  sustained  by 
the  State  Body  and  Council  No.  2  was  required  to  retract  the  lan- 
guage in  which  part  of  its  communication  was  couched. 


504  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

The  Annual  Session  was  held  in  same  city,  November,  same 
year.  Brothers  J.  F.  Hunt  and  C.  J.  Cambridge  were  elected  State 
Councilor  and  State  Vice-Councilor,  respectively,  and  Geo.  F. 
Dovle  was  elected  State  Council  Secretarv. 


Haverhill  entertained  the  semi-annual  meeting  on  May  17, 
1878,  and  the  Annual  Session  was  held  in  Boston,  November  of 
same  year,  with  about  a  dozen  members  in  attendance. 

C.  J.  Cambridge  was  promoted  to  position  of  State  Councilor 
while  Geo.  H.  Stevens  was  elected  Stale  Vice-Councilor  and  F.  H. 
White  State  Council  Secretary. 


The  year  1879  had  both  its  sessions  at  Boston,  but  the  condi- 
tion of  the  Order  in  the  state  had  not  improved,  in  fact  there  was 
scarcely  any  life  whatever  in  the  four  Councils  of  the  organization. 
Twelve  out  of  24  members  of  the  State  Body  were  in  attendance 
at  both  sessions,  representing  an  entire  membership  in  the  Subor- 
dinate Councils  of  55.  One  of  the  Councils,  however,  had  given 
up  the  struggle,  and  the  State  Councilor  in  commenting  upon  it 
referred  to  it  as  "  dead  timber "  and  "  as  chaff  is  swept  away  by 
the  wind  of  time,  so  we  should  not  regret  its  going." 

In  the  election  of  officers  at  the  annual  meeting,  the  following 
were  named: 

State  Councilor — H.  A.  Thompson, 

State  Vice-Councilor — J.  W.  Foster, 

State  Council   Secretary — Geo.  H.  Greenman. 

For  six  years  the  State  Body  had  been  in  existence,  and  at  this 
time  in  Councils  and  numerically  was  no  stronger  than  when 
instituted.  It  is  just  to  state,  however,  that  the  failure  of  the 
Order  during  this  period  cannot  in  any  sense  be  laid  to  the  officers 
and  leaders  of  the  organization,  for  no  better  men  ever  presided 
over  a  body  than  they,  most  of  them  being  above  the  average  in 
intelligence. 

The  causes  of  this  "  stand-still "  in  the  Order  were  twofold : 
1.  The  introduction  into  the  state  of  the  0.  U.  A.  M.  about  1870, 
with  similar  Objects  and  Principles,  had  forestalled  the  Juniors 
and  held  it  in  check.  With  the  Senior  Order  came  an  element  that, 
in  the  public  eye,  created  an  unfavorable  impression  and  prejudiced 
the  people  against  it  or  any  similar  organization.  2.  The  con- 
servative Puritan  sentiment  that  prevailed  throughout  New  Eng- 
land, and  especially  in  Masachusetts,  made  it  impossible  for  any 


UNITED  AMERICAN   MECHANICS  505 

secret  organization,  especially  if  it  was  new,  to  make  great  progress 
among  a  people  naturally  not  impulsive,  but  who  weighed  any 
proposition  thoroughly  before  accepting  it.  But  when  a  New  Eng- 
lander  does  accept  a  proposition  no  one  is  more  enthusiastic, 
patriotic  and  devoted  than  he. 


-Again  the  semi-annual  and  annual  sessions  were  held  at 
Haverhill  and  Boston,  in  May  and  November,  1880.  Both  ses- 
sions were  poorly  attended,  but  an  increase  of  the  membership  to 
112  was  an  encouraging  feature.  The  State  Councilor,  Brother 
Thompson,  in  presenting  his  report  gave  a  very  clear  exposition 
of  the  teachings  and  purposes  of  the  Order  and  urged  greater  dili- 
gence in  the  promotion  of  same. 

J.  W.  Foster  was  elected  State  Councilor,  W.  H.  Preble  State 
Vice-Councilor  and  Brothers  Greenman  and  Hartwell,  State  Coun- 
cil Secretary  and  State  Council  Treasurer. 


Eighteen  hundred  and  eighty-one  was  a  noted  year  for  Massa- 
chusetts' Juniorism  in  more  ways  than  one:  1.  Several  new  coun- 
cils had  been  instituted  and  the  Order  was  on  an  upward  trend. 
2.  The  National  Council  held  its  Annual  Session  at  Haverhill, 
in  June,  at  which  time  the  bonds  that  held  the  Senior  and  Junior 
Orders  together  were  forever  severed.  3.  At  same  session  of  the 
National  body,  Brother  Geo.  H.  Greenman,  State  Council  Secre- 
tary of  Massachusetts,  was  elected  National  Vice-Councilor. 

The  annual  session  was  held  at  Boston,  November  9,  same  year, 
at  which  time  the  total  membership  had  reached  171  and  the  worth 
of  the  Subordinate  Councils  was  $1,167.97.  The  officers  elected 
were : 

State  Councilor — W.  H.  Preble, 
State  Vice-Councilor — Harry    F.    Williams, 
State  Council  Secretary — Geo.   H.   Greenman, 
State  Council  Treasurer — Brother   Hartwell. 


During  the  year  of  1882,  Haverhill  and  Brockton  had  the  meet- 
ings of  the  State  Body.  Encouraging  reports  were  submitted  by 
the  State  officers,  there  being  5  Councils  and  237  members  on  the 
rolls  at  the  time  of  the  annual  meeting.  An  attempt  was  made 
to  change  the  laws  so  as  to  eliminate  the  requirement  of  semi-annual 
meetings  of  the  State  Council,  but  the  proposition  was  defeated. 

H.  F.  Williams  was  placed  in  the  Chair  of  State  Councilor 
and   M.   F.   Perkins  was  elected   State  Vice-Councilor.     Brother 


506  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

Greenman  was  reelected  Secretary  and  Geo.  H.  Bartlett  Treasurer 
of  the  State  Body. 

South  Abington  received  the  State  Body  in  semi-annual  session 
in  1883,  and  was  presided  over  by  State  Councilor  Williams- 
A  gain  of  37  in  membership  was  reported,  making  275  in  all.  The 
State  Councilor  submitted  a  very  practical  report,  full  of  excellent 
suggestions. 

The  semi-annual  session  of  1884  was  held  May  14,  at  Athol, 
the  membership  having  advanced  to  290. 

The  annual  session  convened  at  Haverhill,  November  12,  same 
year,  with  12  members  present.  The  officers  elected  were  as 
follows : 

State  Councilor — W.  H.  Preble, 
State  Vice  Councilor — C.  F.  Dow. 

Brothers  Greenman  and  Clark  were  elected  State  Council  Sec- 
retary and  State  Council  Treasurer  respectively. 


With  much  interest  the  writer  has  followed  the  history  of  the 
Order  in  Massachusetts,  recounting  the  brave  struggle  made  to 
"  hold  the  fort "  and  the  remarkable  determination  of  the  leaders 
to  make  the  organization  a  success  notwithstanding  the  slowness 
of  its  advancement. 

It  is  with  regret  that  at  this  place  there  comes  a  break  in  the 
annals  of  the  Order  in  the  old  "  Bay  State,"  or  rather  of  the  State 
Council,  owing  to  its  disbanding,  its  charter  having  been  forfeited. 
It  seems  that  the  adoption  of  the  clause  in  the  Fifth  Object  by  the 
National  Council  and  its  concurrence  by  the  membership  of  the 
Order,  "  and  uphold  the  reading  of  the  Holy  Bible  therein/'  caused 
great  dissatisfaction  among  some  of  the  brethren  of  Massachusetts, 
to  such  an  extent  that  all  of  the  Councils,  with  the  exception  of 
Enterprise,  No.  1,  disbanded,  thereby  wrecking  the  State  Council. 
Enterprise  Council,  No.  1,  however,  kept  the  fires  burning  upon 
her  New  England  altar,  reporting  regularly,  having  on  March  31, 
1886,  117  members  with  value  of  Council,  $1,118.73. 

During  1887  Enterprise  Council  went  into  the  special  organiz- 
ing business  "  on  her  own  hook/'  and  as  a  result,  Merrimac  Coun- 
cil, No.  9,  was  instituted  in  September,  Amesbury,  No.  10,  and  In- 
dian Hill  Council  in  October,  and  in  February,  1888,  Nantucket 
Council,  No.  6,  was  organized,  and  on  February  23,  same  year,  the 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  507 

State  Council  was  reorganized  by  National  Councilor  Geo.  W.  El- 
bert, assisted  by  National  Secretary  Edw.  S.  Deemer,  and  W.  H. 
Varnick,  of  Philadelphia,  editor  of  The  Junior  American  Me- 
chanic.    In  speaking  of  the  reorganization,  Brother  Elbert  says : 

"  Undaunted  by  past  adversity,  the  members  of  the  State  Council 
are  determined  to  make  our  Order  a  decided  success;  with  such  a  body  of 
brothers  as  they  have,  there  can  be  no  fear  of  the  future." 

The  reorganization  took  place  at  a  special  meeting,  as  per 
above  date,  at  Haverhill,  State  Vice-Councilor  Dow,  to  which  posi- 
tion he  had  been  elected  before  the  State  Council  disbanded,  pre- 
sided, and  the  business  went  along  as  if  no  break  had  occurred; 
and  the  new  State  Council,  fashioned  by  such  master-hands  as 
Elbert,  Deemer  and  Varnick,  arose,  phcenix-like,  stronger  and  bet- 
ter than  ever  before  in  its  history.  The  "  veterans  "  of  the  Order 
in  Massachusetts  were  all  present  at  the  "  resurrection  "  to  rejoice 
over  the  reorganization,  prominent  among  whom  were:  Brother 
A.  L.  Chase,  P.  N.  C.  Geo.  H.  Greenman,  and  still  State  Council 
Secretary,  P.  N.  C.  Geo.  H.  Bartlett,  H.  F.  Williams,  M.  F.  Per- 
kins, Brothers  Noyes,  Stetson  and  Austin. 

The  election  of  officers  resulted  as  follows : 

State  Councilor — C.   F.  Dow, 

State  Vice-Councilor — A.    S.   Hardy, 

State  Council  Secretary — Geo.   H.   Greenman, 

State  Council  Treasurer — H.  Austin. 

The  semi-annual  meeting  was  held  May  9,  1888,  at  same  place, 
Haverhill.  In  the  meantime  the  State  Councilor  had  appointed 
a  large  number  of  Deputy  State  Councilors  to  assist  in  disseminat- 
ing the  doctrines  of  the  Order  and  enthusiasm  ran  high.  Brother 
Greenman  in  his  report  refers  to  the  joy  and  pleasure  that  stirred 
his  soul  at  the  advance  made,  stating  that  one  year  before  they  had 
in  the  state  one  council  and  112  members,  now  could  boast  of  six 
Councils  and  nearly  400  members.  The  State  Council  Secretary 
spoke  of  the  undying  enthusiasm  of  Enterprise  Council,  No.  1, 
that  had  kept  the  "  camp-fire  "  burning  and  from  it  had  gone  out 
the  spirit  of  life  which  spread  throughout  the  state,  even  beyond 
the  boundaries  into  the  adjoining  sister  state  of  New  Hampshire. 

The  consideration  of  a  revised  code  of  laws  took  up  much  of 
the  time  of  this  session  and  some  important  changes  were  made, 
most  conspicuous  of  which  was  the  elimination  of  the  semi-annual 
meetings  of  the  State  Council. 


508  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

The  Twelfth  Annual  Session  of  the  State  Council  was  held, 
pursuant  to  the  provisions  of  the  new  laws,  September  18,  1888, 
at  Brockton,  Chas.  F.  Dow,  State  Councilor  in  the  Chair.  From  this 
session  the  Proceedings  were  printed  instead  of  kept  in  a  large 
minute  book  as  formerly.  Fifteen  members  were  present  and  the 
business  proceeded  in  the  usual  methodical  way.  Since  the  reorgan- 
ization of  the  State  Council,  three  new  councils  had  been  instituted, 
making  eight  in  all  composing  the  body,  representing  520  members 
with  the  finances  equally  encouraging. 

In  the  election  of  officers  for  the  ensuing  year,  the  following 
was  the  result: 

State   Councilor — A.   G.   Harding, 
State  Vice-Councilor — W.  S.  Benson, 
State  Council  Secretary — Geo.  H.   Greenman, 
State  Council  Treasurer — C.  W.  Rowell. 


The  Thirteenth  Annual  Session  convened  at  Newburyport, 
September  17,  1889,  State  Councilor  Albert  G.  Harding  presiding. 
A  new  Council  had  been  instituted  at  Haverhill  with  61  charter 
members,  named  Fraternal,  No.  15.  Success  Council,  No.  16,  at 
Byfield,  was  also  instituted,  so  was  Industry,  No.  17,  at  Worcester. 

As  indicative  of  the  spirit  of  progress  that  was  being  made 
and  as  an  evidence  that  the  "  boys  "  "  had  a  mind  to  work,"  the 
State  Councilor  had  granted  an  unusual  number  of  dispensations 
for  public  gatherings,  parades,  picnics,  etc.,  thus  bringing  the  Order 
before  the  public  eye  and  attracting  attention  to  its  Objects  and 
Principles. 

To  the  Order  of  Massachusetts  the  credit  belongs  of  the  insti- 
tution of  three  Councils  in  the  State  of  New  Hampshire,  and  the 
promulgation  of  the  principles  of  the  Order  in  the  State  of  Maine. 
Quite  a  number  of  flags  had  been  presented  to  the  public  schools  of 
the  state,  and  a  State  parade  had  passed  off  very  successfully. 

In  June  the  National  Council  again  met  at  Haverhill,  at  which 
session  Massachusetts  was  again  honored  in  the  election  of  Geo.  H. 
Bartlett  as  National  Vice-Councilor.  The  membership  for  the 
year  leaped  to  745  while  the  finances  were  in  a  splendid  condition, 
$5,257.85  having  been  received  by  Subordinate  Councils.  The 
amount  paid  for  relief  was  $1,180.83  and  the  total  worth  of 
Councils  was  reported  as  $5,777.61. 

State  Vice- Councilor  Benson,  declining  to  be  a  candidate  for 
State  Councilor,  Geo.  E.  Hodge  was  elected  and  E.  D.  Trask,  State 
Vice- Councilor.     The  Secretary  and  Treasurer  were  reelected. 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  509 

Amesbury,  September  16,  1890,  opened  its  doors  to  tbe  Four- 
teenth Annual  meeting  of  the  State  Council,  State  Councilor  Geo. 
E.  Hodge  occupying  the  Chair.  Forty  members  were  in  attendance, 
the  greatest  number  in  the  history  of  the  State  Council. 

Eight  new  Councils  had  been  instituted,  some  of  them  taking 
old  numbers,  making  23  the  highest  in  the  list.  The  spirit  of 
patriotism  was  burning  and  spreading,  there  being  many  flag- 
raisings,  lectures,  etc.,  in  various  parts  of  the  state.  It  must 
have  been  inspiring  to  the  "  veterans  "  of  the  State  Body  to  hear 
from  the  Secretary  the  report  that  the  Order  in  the  state  had 
nine  hundred  and  eighty-six  members. 

For  State  Councilor,  R.  D.  Trask  was  elected,  and  for  State 
Vice- Councilor,  Homer  Brooks.  The  Secretary  and  Treasurer  of 
the  body  were  reelected. 

Eighteen  hundred  and  ninety-one  found  the  State  Council  in 
annual  session  at  Boston  September  15,  with  State  Councilor  R.  D. 
Trask  presiding.  Thirty-six  members  answered  to  their  names 
at  roll-call. 

One  new  Council  with  96  applicants  was  reported ;  also  a  total 
membership  in  the  state  of  1,074,  a  gain  of  85.  The  usual  stereo- 
typed reports  were  submitted  and  the  regular  business  transacted. 

Officers  for  ensuing  year : 

State  Councilor — Homer    Brooks, 
State  Vice-Councilor— C.   W.   Rowell, 
State  Council  Secretary — Geo.   H.   Greenman, 
State  Council  Treasurer — C.    G.    Lane. 


The  City  of  Boston  again,  in  1892,  September  20,  had  the 
annual  session,  with  Homer  Brooks,  State  Councilor,  at  the  helm. 
Two  widely  known  brothers  for  the  first  time,  as  Representatives, 
attended  the  session,  viz. :  Brothers  W.  L.  S.  Gilcreast,  National 
Councilor  in  1905-1907,  and  Martin  M.  Woods,  the  present  Na- 
tional Secretary.  At  the  close  of  this  session,  Past  National  Coun- 
cilor and  State  Council  Secretary  Geo.  H.  Greenman,  from  the 
beginning  the  foremost  figure  in  Massachusetts  Juniorism,  a  hard 
and  enthusiastic  worker,  stepped  down  from  the  official  duties  of 
the  Order  to  be  one  "  among  the  ranks,"  his  business  matters  ren- 
dering it  necessary  to  decline  reelection  to  the  position  he  had  so 
long  filled  with  such  efficiency.  An  appropriate  resolution  of 
thanks  for  his  services  was  presented  and  adopted. 


510  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

The  election  of  officers  resulted  as  follows: 

State  Councilor — C.   W.   Rowell, 
State  Vice-Councilor — A.    I.    Johnson, 
State  Council  Secretary — C.  G.  Lane, 
State  Council  Treasurer — W.   L.   S.   Gilcreast. 


The  Seventeenth  Annual  Session  was  held  in  the  City  of 
Worcester,  September  19,  1893,  with  C.  W.  Eowell  presiding.  On 
motion,  a  telegram  of  greeting  was  sent  to  the  State  Council  of 
Pennsylvania,  then  in  session  at  Johnstown,  and  the  "  poet 
laureate,"  Brother  G.  E.  Noyes,  prepared  and  sent  the  following : 

"  The  Bay  State  to  the  Keystone, 
On   this   fine   September   day, 
Sends  greetings  with  the  proud  hope, 
That  our  Free  Schools  are  here  to  stay. 

"  Like  our  lofty  hills  so  noble 
Towering  high  above  the  plain, 
So  may  this  Institution 
As   steadfastly   remain." 

Two  new  Councils  were  reported.  Total  receipts  of  Subor- 
dinate Councils,  $6,781.32;  total  worth  of  Councils,  $12,856.33; 
amount  paid  for  relief,  $2,509.79. 

The  announcement  of  the  death  of  P.  S.  C.  Dr.  Homer  Brooks 
was  made  to  the  State  Council  by  the  State  Councilor,  and  an 
appropriate  Memoriam  was  subsequently  in  the  session  adopted. 
In  the  National  Council  Proceedings  a  Memoriam  page  was  in- 
serted also,  stating  that  he  was  initiated  in  Enterprise  Council, 
No.  1,  March  28,  1884,  elected  State  Councilor,  September  25, 
1891,  and  died  April  3,  1893. 

For  State  Councilor,  A.  I.  Johnson  was  elected;  State  Vice- 
Councilor,  A.  L.  Chase;  Secretary  and  Treasurer,  Bros.  Lane  and 
Gilcreast. 


West  Newbury  entertained  the  Eighteenth  Annual  Session, 
September  18,  1894,  with  A.  I.  Johnson  in  the  Chair.  James 
Durgin,  an  honorary  member  of  Indian  Hill  Council,  No.  11,  aged 
85  years,  was,  on  motion,  admitted  to  the  State  Council  chamber, 
a  most  beautiful  act  in  respect  for  the  oldest  member  at  that  time 
in  the  Order.  The  reports  of  the  year  were  less  reassuring,  losses 
being  reported  in  membership.  The  organizing  work  had  not  been 
successful,  hence  the  decline. 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  511 

Brother  A.  L.  Chase  was  elected  State  Councilor,  W.  L.  S. 
Gilcreast  State  Vice-Councilor,  Martin  M.  Woods  State  Council 
Secretary  and  A.  L.  Wales  State  Council  Treasurer. 


The  "  Town  "  of  Boston  again  entertained  the  State  Council 
at  its  meeting,  September  17,  1895,  Brother  A.  L.  Chase,  State 
Councilor,  in  the  Chair.  Another  increase  of  membership  was  re- 
ported, there  being  1,256,  a  gain  of  212.  Three  new  Councils  were 
organized,  one  of  them  at  Haverhill,  making  three  for  that  enter- 
prising "  American  city.'"' 

Death  again  invaded  the  ranks  of  the  old  workers,  this  time 
it  was  Horace  Hoskins,  Past  National  Representative. 

A  resolution  was  passed  instructing  the  Representatives  to  the 
National  Council  to  adopt  all  honorable  methods  to  have  the  word 
"Junior"  stricken  from  the  name.  It  was  also  agreed  to  pay  to 
each  National  Representative  $40  to  attend  the  session  at  Denver. 

The  principal  officers  elected  were: 

State  Councilor — W.  L.  S.  Gilcreast, 
State  Vice-Councilor — H.   P.   Dalton, 
State  Council  Secretary — Martin   M.   Woods, 
State  Council  Treasurer — James   R.   Graves. 


In  Twentieth  Annual  Session,  the  State  Council  met  in  the 
City  of  Boston,  September  15,  1896,  with  State  Councilor  W.  L.  S. 
Gilcreast  in  the  Chair.     Forty-nine  members  were  in  attendance. 

The  report  of  the  State  Councilor  showed  a  better  condition 
of  the  Order  ever  known  in  its  history,  and  with  pardonable  pride, 
Brother  Gilcreast  stated  that  in  members,  Massachusetts  was 
twelfth  in  number  and  thirteenth  in  amount  paid  the  National 
Council,  but  in  average  membership  per  Council  she  stood  fifth, 
Pennsylvania,  Maryland,  New  Jersey  and  Colorado  being  ahead. 
Three  new  Councils  were  reported  and  a  total  membership  of 
1,464,  a  gain  of  304.  Total  receipts  of  Subordinate  Councils  was 
$9,228.54,  and  the  total  worth  of  Councils  was  given  as  $14,649.96. 
The  State  Councilor  expressed  his  great  indebtedness  to  the  State 
Council  Secretary,  Brother  Woods,  for  his  untiring  energy  in  the 
interest  of  the  Order. 

The  Law  Committee  disapproved  an  amendment  to  the  laws 
of  one  of  the  Councils  that  "  no  Roman  Catholic  or  Protestant  with 
a   Roman   Catholic  wife  shall  be  eligible  to  membership  in   this 


512  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

Council ;  and  any  member  becoming  a  Eoman  Catholic  or  who 
marries  a  Roman  Catholic  wife  shall  forfeit  his  membership  in  this 
Council." 

It  was  agreed  to  pay  each  Past  State  Councilor  and  National 
Representative  $30  each  to  attend  the  National  Council  at  Pitts- 
burg in  1897. 

Owing  to  the  State  Vice-Councilor  removing  to  New  Hamp- 
shire, Brother  Gilcreast  was  reelected  State  Councilor.  A.  L.  Wales 
was  elected  State  Vice- Councilor  and  Brothers  Woods  and  Graves, 
for  Secretary  and  Treasurer,  were  reelected.  Brother  Woods  was 
also  elected  National  Representative. 


Haverhill  again  entertained  the  State  Body  in  1897,  with 
Brother  Gilcreast  in  the  Chair.  Two  new  Councils  were  reported 
and  a  gain  in  membership  of  nine,  there  being  1,467  in  the  state. 

For  the  third  term,  Brother  Gilcreast  was  selected  to  preside 
over  and  direct  the  Order  in  the  state.  It  is  a  coincidence,  that 
both  the  present  (1906)  National  Councilor  and  National  Vice- 
Councilor,  Brothers  Gilcreast  and  Schaertzer,  had  the  distinction 
of  serving  their  State  Councils  three  successive  terms  as  State 
Councilor.  Certainly  such  unanimous  action  reflects  great  honor 
upon  these  two  distinguished  brothers. 

James  R.  Graves,  State  Council  Treasurer,  was  elected  State 
Vice-Councilor  and  Frank  A.  Gordon  was  elected  in  his  stead.  It 
goes  without  saying,  that  Brother  Martin  M.  Woods  was  unani- 
mously reelected  State  Council  Secretary. 


At  the  Twenty-second  Annual  Session,  held  at  Groveland, 
September  20,  1898,  Brother  Gilcreast,  for  the  third  time  presided 
over  the  State  Body. 

The  report  on  the  vote  relative  to  the  establishment  of  the 
Sixth  Object,  the  National  Orphans'  Home,  showed  147  for  and 
52  against. 

Officers  elected  as  follows : 

State  Councilor — James  R.  Graves, 

State  Vice-Councilor — Geo.  H.  Russell, 

State  Council  Secretary — Martin  M.  Woods   (of  course). 

State  Council  Treasurer — A.    S.    Haynes. 

Brother  Haynes,  who  is  favorably  known  by  many  in  various 
parts  of  the  Union,  was  elected  National  Representative. 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  513 

Worcester  entertained  the  State  Body  in  1S99,  James  K.  Graves 
presiding.  In  accordance  with  the  laws  of  the  State  Council,  each 
Council  was  entitled  to  four  representatives,  and  usually  from 
three  to  five  alternates  were  elected.  As  a  result  of  this  large 
representation,  the  State  Council  meetings  were  usually  well 
attended.  There  were  at  this  time  49  representatives  entitled  to  a 
vote  in  the  State  Body  and  about  40  alternates.  There  were  2 
Past  National  Councilors  and  11  Past  State  Councilors,  and  with 
the  Standing  Committees  and  regular  elective  officers,  the  State 
Council  had  an  aggregate  representation  of  75.  About  50  were 
in  attendance  at  this  session. 

The  vote  on  the  adoption  of  a  Ladies'  Auxiliary  stood  33  in 
favor  and  9  against. 

The  officers  declared  elected  were: 

State  Councilor — Geo.   H.   Russell, 
State  Vice-Counselor — Parker  H.  Nason, 
State  Council  Secretary — Martin    M.    Woods, 
State  Council  Treasurer — A.   S.   Haynes. 

Walter  Lee  Smith  Gilcreast,  once  in  his  life,  was  defeated 
for  office  at  this  session,  for  Outside  Sentinel,  by  a  majority  of 
five  votes.  It  is  not  to  be  presumed  that  Brother  Gilcreast  felt 
very  bad  over  his  defeat. 

The  installation  of  officers  was  conducted  by  State  Council 
Secretary  Woods,  assisted  by  D.N.C.,  A.  A.  Jackson,  of  Ehode 
Island. 

The  Twenty-fourth  and  Twenty-fifth  Annual  Sessions  were 
held  at  Middleboro  and  Boston  in  1900  and  1901,  State  Councilor 
Russell  presiding  at  the  former  session  and  P.  H.  Nason  at  the 
latter,  at  which  session  A.  S.  Haynes  was  elected  State  Councilor 
and  A.  H.  Andrews  State  Vice- Councilor,  the  latter  having  served 
one  year  as  State  Council  Treasurer.  In  his  place  A.  W.  Morrill 
was  elected.  Brother  Woods  was  unanimously  retained  as  the 
official  "  scribe  "  of  the  State  Body. 


Brother  A.  S.  Haynes  presided  over  the  Twenty-sixth  Annual 
Session,  which  met  at  Boston,  in  1902,  at  which  time  A.  H.  An- 
drews was  promoted  to  the  place  of  State  Councilor  and  R.  W. 
Bailey  was  elected  State  Vice-Councilor. 

The  session  of  1903  was  also  held  in  Boston,  State  Councilor 
Andrews  in  the  Chair.  At  this  session  National  Councilor  Brother 
Geo.  B.  Bowers  was  accorded  a  regular  New  England  welcome. 

33 


514  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

The  reports  of  the  officers  were  depressing,  a  heavy  loss  of  members 
being  stated,  leaving  a  membership  of  891.  The  per  capita  tax 
was  placed  at  80  cents. 

Brother  A.  H.  Andrews  was  reelected  State  Councilor,  J.  Kiley 
Rogers  State  Vice-Councilor,  Brother  Woods  reelected  Secretary 
and  N.  0.  Cobb  Treasurer  of  the  State  Council.  The  officers  were 
installed  by  Brother  Geo.  R.  Bowley,  of  Maine. 


The  session  of  1904  was  held  at  Boston,  as  well  as  the  session 
of  1905.  A.  H.  Andrews  presided  at  the  former  session  and  State 
Councilor  J.  Riley  Rogers  occupied  the  Chair  at  the  1905  meeting. 

For  State  Councilor,  J.  C.  Austin  was  elected  at  the  latter  ses- 
sion, and  Frank  M.  Pillsbury  State  Vice-Councilor. 


We  close  the  record  of  Massachusetts  with  the  session  of  1906, 
held  at  Boston,  September  18,  State  Councilor  Austin  in  the  Chair. 
Fifty  members  were  in  attendance. 

As  per  the  report  of  the  State  Council  Secretary,  the  standing 
of  the  Order  in  Massachusetts  is  as  follows : 

Number    of    Councils 11 

Number   of  Members 924 

Receipts   from   all   sources $6,781.50 

Paid  for   Benefits   and   Relief 1,951.64 

Total   worth   of   Councils 14,825.52 

The  following  officers  were  elected : 

State  Councilor — F.  M.  Pillsbury, 
State  Vice-Councilor— F.  W.  Mitchell, 
State  Council  Secretary — Martin  M.  Woods, 
State  Council  Treasurer — N.   O.   Cobb. 

Massachusetts,  while  not  strong  in  membership,  represents  a 
high  standard  of  American  manhood.  Those  who  have  been  direct- 
ing the  Order  in  the  state  are  of  a  pronounced  tyj^e  of  New  England 
citizenship,  the  blood  of  a  noble  ancestry  pulsating  in  their  veins. 
Many  "  old-timers,"  who  in  the  early  days  "  stood  by  the  stuff  " 
when  but  four  Councils  and  less  than  100  members  represented  the 
Order  in  the  state,  still  remain.  Past  National  Councilors  Geo. 
H.  Greenman  and  Geo.  H.  Bartlett,  the  former  a  long  time  the 
Secretary  of  the  State  Council,  still  live  to  bless  the  Order  with 
their  presence.  Massachusetts  Juniorism  owes  much  to  these  broth- 
ers for  their  energv  and  sacrifice  in  gaining  a  foothold  in  the 
"  Bay  State." 


UNITED  AMERICAN   MECHANICS  515 

Other  leaders  deserve  notice;  for  work  achieved  and  victories 
won:  At  the  head  stands' National  Councilor  (1905-1907)  W.  L.  S. 
Gilcreast,  Past  State  Councilors  A.  L.  Chase,  A.  S.  Haynes,  A.  II. 
Andrews,  A.  I.  Johnson,  IT.  F.  Williams,  J.  Riley  Rogers,  Jas.  R. 
Graves,  H.  A.  Thompson,  A.  G.  Harding,  R.  D.  Trask,  Geo.  H.  Rus- 
sell, C.  P.  Dow,  J.  C.  Austin,  P.  EL  Nason  and  C.  W.  Rowell  who  still 
"  dwell  in  the  tents  of  Jacob.''  The  Noyes  and  Chases  have  been 
conspicuous  factors  among  the  "  Bay  State  "  Juniors.  Past  Na- 
tional Representatives  Wales,  Eastman,  Hopkinson,  Longfellow, 
Fuller,  Webster  and  Geo.  E.  Noyes  have  had  the  confidence  of  their 
brethren.  Last  but  not  least,  are  to  be  named  the  present  (1906) 
active  officials  of  the  State  Council,  State  Councilor  Pillsbury,  State 
Vice-Councilor  F.  W.  Mitchell,  State  Council  Treasurer  Cobb  and 
the  "scribe"  of  the  State  Council  for  many  years,  Martin  M. 
Woods,  elected  (1907)  National  Secretary. 

May  the  state  that  gave  us  the  Adamses,  Jas.  Otis  and  General 
Joseph  Warren;  the  soil  that  drank  up  the  first  blood  of  patriots 
and  where  the  "  Minute  Men  "  fired  the  shot  that  was  "  heard  the 
world  around,"  ever  keep  in  mind  their  wonderful  past  and  rise, 
as  an  Order,  to  grander  heights  sublime. 


MICHIGAN 

As  far  back  as  1872,  the  Order  was  introduced  into  the  "  Bad- 
ger State"  by  Brother  Wallace,  of  Enterprise  Council,  No.  1,  of 
Massachusetts,  in  the  institution  of  Jackson  Council,  No.  1.  How- 
ever, being  far  remote  from  any  other  Junior  influences,  the  Coun- 
cil was  short-lived. 

The  next  attempt  to  establish  the  Order  in  the  state  was  in 
1891,  when  Washington  Council,  No.  1,  was  instituted  in  the  City 
of  Detroit,  which  stood  alone  until  March  3,  1892,  when  Wolver- 
ine Council,  No.  2,  was  instituted  by  Theo.  Mickles.  About  the 
same  time  National  Organizer  Stephen  Collins  entered  the  state 
and  in  two  or  three  weeks  the  following  was  the  result  of  his  work : 
Detroit  Council,  No.  3,  March  11;  Lincoln,  No.  1,  March  12;  Gar- 
field, No.  5,  March  16 ;  these  were  followed  by  the  institution  of  the 
State  Council  of  Michigan,  March  29,  1892. 

Following  the  institution  of  the  State  Body,  Brother  Collins 
remained  in  the  state  for  a  short  period  encouraging  and  instruct- 
ing the  new  Councils,  and  at  the  same  time  continuing  the  organ- 
ization of  additional  Councils,  viz.:  U.  S.  Grant,  No.  6;  Valley 
City,  No.  7,  April  5;  John  A.  Logan,  No.  8,  April  11,  1892; 
Saginaw,  No.  9.  April  25  and  Benton  Harbor,  No.  10,  April  28. 


516  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

Thus,  after  about  two  months'  operation,  the  National  Organizer, 
having  found  but  36  members,  withdrew  from  the  state  April 
29,  1892,  leaving  10  Councils  and  307  members  in  the  enjoy 
ment  of  "  Home  Rule." 

The  first  State  Councilor  was  W.  N.  Stevens,  and  Geo.  H. 
Thorn  was  chosen  Jr.  Past  State  Councilor.  The  first  National 
Representatives  were:  Theo.  Mickles,  W.  H.  Cole,  W.  D.  Butter- 
field,  E.  E.  Schoonmaker  and  W.  N.  Stevens.  W.  H.  Cole  was  the 
only  one  of  the  delegation  to  attend  the  National  Council  at  its 
session  in  Atlantic  City,  New  Jersey,  June,  1892. 

The  first  year  of  the  Order  was  remarkably  prosperous,  there 
being  25  Councils  on  the  list  and  1,172  members.  But  a  certain 
element  subsequently  found  its  way  into  the  Order  that  bred  unrest 
and  discord,  and  very  seriously  handicapped  the  organization  for 
years,  from  the  effects  of  which  it  has  never  recovered.  So 
effective  were  the  environments  about  the  Order,  very  nearly  throt- 
tling its  life,  that  in  1896,  the  State  Council  Secretary  failed  to 
submit  a  report  to  the  National  Council,  hence  the  State  Council 
was  placed  under  a  fine. 

The  report  for  1900  showed  8  Councils  and  225  members, 
while  that  of  1905  showed  but  2  Councils  and  71  members.  W. 
Scott  Hobbs  was  elected  State  Councilor  arid  A.  E.  Baisley  State 
Vice-Councilor,  with  Fred  W.  Houghton  as  State  Council  Secre- 
tary and  Charles  A.  Belitz  State  Council  Treasurer. 


MISSISSIPPI 

On  December  17,  1894,  Winona  Council,  No.  1,  at  Meridian, 
was  organized  and  instituted  in  the  State  of  Mississippi  by  National 
Organizer  Orange ;  but  being  too  far  from  the  "  base  of  official 
operations,"  it  soon  drooped  and  died. 

National  Councilor  W.  E.  Faison  directed  Special  Organizer 
Bridgers  to  take  up  the  work  in  Mississippi  and  reaching  the 
state  April  27,  1905,  in  a  short  time  he  had  organized  and  insti- 
tuted nine  Councils,  Nos.  1  to  9. 

With  the  exception  of  No.  9,  the  above  Councils  asked  for  a 
State  Council  Charter,  which  was  granted,  but  its  institution  was 
delayed  owing  to  some  misunderstanding  arising  relative  to  a 
license  from  the  State  Insurance  Department.  However,  the  State 
Council  subsequently  was  instituted  in  the  same  year,  1905,  and 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  517 

according  to  the  record  in  the  State  Council  Proceedings,  the  fol- 
lowing were  elected  as  officers  of  the  "baby"  State  Council: 

Jr.   Past   State   Councilor — J.   L.    Buckley, 
State  Councilor — J.  M.  Consly, 
State  Vice-Councilor — W.    S.   Davis,    Jr., 
State  Council   Secretary — Geo.  I.  Cole. 
State  Council  Treasurer — A.  C.   Hunter. 

State  Councilor  J.  E.  Watts  attended  the  National  Council 
at  Boston  in  June  of  1907,  at  which  time  the  state  had  but  173 
members,  and  was  so  thoroughly  impressed  with  the  proceedings 
that  he  returned  home  with  the  determination  to  make  a  record, 
and  under  his  masterful  leadership  in  nine  months  time  he  was 
able  to  report  to  the  State  Council  in  April  of  1908,  40  Councils 
and  more  than  2,000  members,  made  up  of  the  best  men  in  the 
state.  As  we  finish  this  record  information  comes  to  us  that  there 
is  a  wonderful  wave  of  Junior  sentiment  sweeping  the  state  and 
it  is  confidently  believed  by  those  familiar  with  the  facts  that 
Mississippi  will  be  able  to  report  to  the  National  Council  of 
1909,  100  Councils  and  5,000  members. 


MISSOURI 


St.  Louis  Council,  No.  1,  was  instituted  in  the  City  of  St. 
Louis,  Mo.,  December  3,  1888.  This  mother  Council  stood  alone 
until  August  6,  1892,  when  National  Organizer  Stephen  Collins 
instituted  Lincoln  Council,  No.  2,  at  St.  Joe,  which  was  followed 
by  Liberty,  No.  3,  and  Gen.  McPherson,  No.  4,  both  instituted  on 
September  16;  Trenton,  No.  5;  Benj.  Franklin,  No.  6,  and  Jas.  A. 
Garfield,  No.  7,  in  October,  all  in  1892 — the  five  last  named  being 
instituted  by  the  St.  Louis  brethren  headed  by  Dr.  J.  B.  Glancies 
and  E.  J.  Armstrong. 

National  Organizer  Stephen  Collins  having  reached  the  state, 
he  instituted  M.  T.  Kirtley,  No.  8 ;  Kansas  City,  No.  9 ;  Washing- 
ton, No.  10,  all  in  1892;  on  November  25,  1892,  he  instituted 
the  State  Council  of  Missouri  under  very  auspicious  surroundings ; 
on  Nov.  30,  No.  11,  and  Dec.  2,  No.  12,  both  in  St.  Louis;  Dec. 
3,  No.  13,  at  Hannibal;  Dec.  6,  No.  14,  at  Holden;  Dec.  12,  No. 
15,  at  Kansas  City  and  Dec.  15,  No.  17,  at  Knobnorton. 

Unfortunately,  we  have  failed  up  to  date  (1907)  to  receive  any 
State  Council  data,  hence  our  recourse  to  the  only  data  we  have 
before  us — the  National  Council  Proceedings.  In  their  order  prior 
to  189G,  the  following  State  Councilors  are  found  on  the  list- 
J.  L.  Collins,  J.  L.  Smith,  P.  J.  Armstrong  and  F.  C.  Borden.  Of 
National  Bepresentatives,  the  following  are  named :  J.  L.  Ingram, 


518  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

R.  L.  Lindsey,  Rev.  H.  A.  Slaughter,  H.  H.  Hinde  and  F.  C.  Bor- 
der. Among  the  Past  National  Representatives  prior  to  1896  are 
R.  J.  Armstrong,  J.  L.  Smith  and  J.  H.  Rice.  Rev.  H.  A. 
Slaughter  having  been  elected  at  the  institution  of  the  State  Coun- 
cil, also  F.  C.  Borden  and  R.  L.  Lindsey,  the  same  were  reelected 
prior  to  1896.  The  State  Councilor  elected  at  the  session  of  the 
State  Council  in  1896  was  Rev.  H.  A.  Slaughter. 

From  the  National  Council  reports,  it  is  learned  that  the 
Order  made  splendid  progress  the  first  few  years  of  its  history,  mak- 
ing gains  in  both  Councils  and  members.  From  the  report  of  the 
State  Council  for  year  ending  December  31,  1893,  the  number  of 
Councils  was  given  as  51,  and  members,  1,443.  However,  the  year 
ending  December  31,  1894,  while  it  showed  70  Councils,  a  gain 
of  19,  there  was  a  "slump"  in  membership  of  466.  Financially 
the  standing  was  as  follows : 

Received   by   Subordinate    Councils $10,965.75 

Paid    for    Relief 2,116.60 

Worth   of    Councils    8,444.38 

According  to  the  report  of  the  Deputy  National  Councilor 
dated  May  1,  1895,  there  were  31  defunct  Councils  out  of  85.  The 
fact  of  this  loss  cannot  be-  attributed  to  the  State  Council  officers 
at  that  time,  as  no  more  active  and  earnest  brothers  filled  the  Chairs 
in  any  state  than  Brothers  Borden  and  Slaughter,  both  men  being 
intelligent  exponents  of  the  Order;  but  the  decline  was  the  result 
of  natural  causes  at  that  time  almost  universal  in  all  the  states, 
however,  the  earnest,  patriotic  work  of  the  above  named  brethren 
had  its  reward  by  reversing  the  temporary  decline,  while  the  report 
of  December  31,  1895,  showed  only  51  Councils  in  good  standing, 
it  did  show  a  big  gain  in  membership,  there  being  2,160.  John  C. 
Deisel,  Deputy  National  Councilor,  in  his  report  dated  May  11, 
1896,  had  a  very  cheering  account  to  give  of  the  progress  of  the 
Order  in  the  state,  and  at  the  same  time  spoke  in  complimentary 
terms  of  both  Rev.  H.  A.  Slaughter  and  Hon.  H.  H.  Hinde,  State 
Councilor  and  State  Vice-Councilor,  whose  untiring  devotion  over- 
came the  many  obstacles  they  had  to  contend  with. 

The  close  of  the  century  again  found  the  Order  in  Missouri 

on  the  decline,  the  report  being  as  follows : 

Number    of    Councils 27 

Number  of   Members 1,400 

Received   by    Subordinate    Councils $12,174.71 

Paid    for    Relief 4,758.02 

Worth    of    Councils 4,446.32 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  519 

As  per  report  of  December  31,  1904,  we  have  the  following 
statistics : 

Number    of    Councils 15 

Number    of    Members 770 

Received    by    Subordinate    Councils $5,776.21 

Paid  for  Relief 1,055.00 

Worth   of   Councils 5,029.09 

The  Board  of  Officers  for  term  of  1904-1U05  were  the  fol- 
lowing : 

Jr.  Past  State  Councilor — Sam  D.  Hodgdon, 
State  Councilor — James  E.   Winterton, 
State  Vice-Councilor — Geo.  11.   Bobring, 
State  Council  Secretary — Jos.   A.   Gutweiler, 
State  Council  Treasurer — R.   J.   Armstrong. 

The  officers  of  the  State  Council  elected  at  the  annual  meeting 
in  1906  were  as  follows: 

State  Councilor — F.  H.  Hoch, 

State  Vice-Councilor — C.   F.   Schmitt, 

State  Council  Secretary — James  E.  Winterton, 

State  Council  Treasurer — R.  J.  Armstrong. 

J.  A.  Gutweiler,  who  had  been  State  Council  Secretary  for  some 
years,  was  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Officers,  being  Junior  Past 
State  Councilor. 

Missouri  started  well  under  the  banner  of  the  Order  and  her 
leaders  and  members  were  earnest  and  enthusiastic.  But  sundry 
causes  brought  about  a  decline  and  gradually  the  Order  retrograded, 
many  Councils  "  going  out  of  business,"  while  hundreds  of  mem- 
bers dropped  out  of  the  organization. 

Missouri  had  some  strong  men  in  her  ranks,  many  of  whom 
have  passed  out  of  activity,  if  not  entirely  out  of  the  Order.  F.  C. 
Borden  was  one  of  her  most  efficient  leaders,  intelligent  and  de- 
voted, whose  influence  not  only  had  an  impress  upon  his  owti  state, 
but  as  a  National  and  Special  Organizer  he  established  Juniorism 
in  other  states  and  proved  himself  a  "  workman  that  needeth  not  be 
ashamed."  Kev.  H.  A.  Slaughter,  in  the  era  of  his  activity,  by  lec- 
tures and  speeches,  accomplished  much  good  in  promulgating  the 
Objects  and  Principles  of  the  Order.  For  years  he  and  Brother 
Borden  were  active  spirits  in  the  National  Body,  Brother  Slaughter 
having  served  as  National  Chaplain.  Sam  D.  Hodgdon  has  been 
closely  identified  with  Missouri  Juniorism,  a  hard   worker,  being 


520  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

both  a  Past  State  Councilor  and  Past  National  Representative. 
His  work  in  connection  with  the  Fraternity  Building  at  the  Louisi- 
ana Purchase  Exposition  entitles  him  to  the  respect  of  his  brethren 
for  the  gratuitious  task  in  which  he  was  engaged.  W.  F.  Knapp, 
as  Past  State  Councilor,  is  well  known  in  his  own  jurisdiction,  and 
as  Past  National  Representative  he  is  very  favorably  known  by  Ms 
brethren  in  the  National  Council.  Past  State  Councilor  L.  C. 
Hehl  and  E.  E.  Boling  have  given  their  services  and  have  been 
closely  connected  with  the  Order  in  Missouri.  Past  State  Coun- 
cilors J.  E.  Winterton,  F.  H.  Hoch  and  J.  A.  Gutweiler  have 
rendered  valuable  service  to  the  Order,  Brother  Winterton  having 
represented  the  State  Council  at  the  National  session  held  at 
Boston  in  1907,  at  which  time  he  was  elected  National  Warden 
without  opposition  and  has  been  honored  with  the  position  of 
State  Council  Secretary  of  his  own  State  Council. 

But  the  "  Nestor  of  Missouri  Juniorism,"  by  way  of  mention, 
is  left  for  the  last — Roger  J.  Armstrong,  for  many  years  the  State 
Council  Treasurer,  and,  far  as  the  records  show,  the  Senior  Past 
State  Councilor  of  that  jurisdiction.  As  a  charter  member  of  the 
State  Council,  he  has  been  a  devoted  and  honored  member  thereof 
ever  since.  Either  as  a  Representative  or  a  member  of  a  Commit- 
tee, Brother  Armstrong  has  been  connected  with  the  National 
Council  ever  since  the  institution  of  the  State  Council  of  Missouri. 
He  is  at  present  (1907)  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Control  Bene- 
ficiary Degree.  The  writer  had  the  pleasure  to  be  connected 
with  the  same  Committee  as  he,  and  we  always  found  him  the  same 
earnest,  faithful  but  unassuming  brother  that  he  has  always  been. 


NEW    HAMPSHIKE 

The  Order  was  introduced  into  the  Granite  State  by  Deputy 
National  Councilor  Geo.  H.  Bartlett,  of  Massachusetts,  in  1887, 
by  the  institution  of  Granite  Council,  No.  1,  Which  was  followed 
by  Buckingham,  No.  2,  in  May,  1888,  Winona,  No.  3,  and  Good 
Will,  No.  4.  In  the  month  of  June,  same  year,  Gonic,  No.  5,  New- 
ton, No.  6,  Milton,  No.  7,  were  instituted,  while  in  December, 
Passaconaway,  No.  8,  was  added  to  the  list.  These  were  followed 
by  the  institution  of  the  State  Council  of  New  Hampshire,  April 
3,  1890. 

Without  State  Council  data,  failing  to  receive  any  acknowl- 
edgment to  our  communication,  we  are  unable  to  give  a  resume 
of  the  subsequent  history  of  the  body  or  the  Order  in  the  state. 
According  to  the  report  of  the  National  Secretary,  for  }rear  ending 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  521 

December  31,  1895,  there  were  6  Councils  and  255  members,  with 
a  total  worth  of  Councils  of  $1,432.56.  The  report  for  year  ending 
December  31,  1004,  showed  the  following  standing: 

Number    of    Councils 25 

Number   of   Members 942 

Received   by    Subordinate    Councils $4,975.37 

Paid    for    Relief 2,115.75 

Worth   of    Councils 3,083.75 

The  list  of  officers  1904-1905  were: 

State  Councilor — R.  S.  Parker, 
State  Vice-Councilor — Geo.   B.   Shaw, 
State  Council  Secretary — John   H.  Noyes, 
State  Council  Treasurer — A.  S.  Sanborn. 

Past  State  Councilors  in  good  standing,  as  per  report  of  1905, 
were:  John  S.  Corson,  E.  S.  Pressy,  H.  L.  Tabor,  E.  A.  Weare, 
G.  A.  Gilmore,  and  C.  C.  Clark;  Past  National  Eepresentatives, 
other  than  Past  State  Councilors,  John  H.  Noyes,  W.  B.  Hutchins 
and  J.  H.  Hadley. 


CHAPTER    XXX 
PROCEEDINGS  OF  STATE  COUNCILS  (Continued) 

NEW    YOEK 

NATIONAL  Councilor  John  W.  Calver,  assisted  by  National 
Secretary  E.  S.  Deemer,  introduced  the  Order  into  the  State 
of  New  York,  July  21,  1870,  by  the  institution  of  Independence 
Council,  No.  1,  in  New  York  City.  This  Council  stood  alone  until 
October,  1S71,  when  Relief,  No.  2,  was  instituted,  which  was  fol- 
lowed by  Charter  Oak,  No.  3,  in  December  of  same  year;  Excelsior, 
No.  4,  in  November  of  1872;  Fame,  No.  5,  December  of  same  year. 
In  January  of  1873,  Liberty,  No.  6,  Hope  Junior,  No.  7,  Pocohon- 
tas,  No.  8,  Delaware,  No.  9,  and  Morning  Star,  No.  10,  were  insti- 
tuted. In  the  month  of  March,  same  year,  Martha  Washington, 
No.  11,  was  organized;  also  in  April,  Southern  Tier,  No.  12; 
Walkill,  No.  13,  in  May,  Acme,  No.  14,  in  June;  also  Young  Amer- 
ica, No.  15. 

Pursuant  to  a  call,  representatives  of  the  above  named  Coun- 
cils met  in  convention  and  organized  the  State  Council  of  New 
York,  and  the  same  was  instituted  on  June  18,  1873.  The  body, 
however,  was  disbanded  in  1877,  and  was  reorganized  on  May  21, 
1878. 

The  first  time  the  State  Council  was  represented  in  the  Na- 
tional Council  was  in  1873,  by  State  Councilor  E.  T.  Brown,  who 
at  the  same  time  was  State  Council  Secretary  of  the  0.  U.  A.  M., 
to  whose  energy  the  success  of  the  Junior  Order  in  those  years  is 
due.  He  was  elected  State  Councilor  at  the  institution  of  the  State 
Council  of  New  York  and  served  creditably.  At  the  session  of  the 
National  Council  of  1874,  the  standing  of  the  State  Council  was  as 
follows:  Nineteen  Councils  and  776  members,  with  total  receipts 
by  Subordinate  Councils  of  $1,446.97.  At  this  session,  H.  S. 
Coiwin,  of  New  York,  was  elected  National  Vice-Councilor,  and  at 
a  special  session  held  in  1875,  when  National  Councilor  Voorhees' 
seat  was  declared  vacant,  Brother  Corwin  was  elected  to  fill  the 
unexpired  term. 

At  the  National  session  of  1876,  New  York  was  reported  in 

arrears  for  tax,  hence  there  was  no  report  of  the  standing  of  the 

State  Council  given ;  however,  in  1877,  the  National  Secretary  gave 

the  report  of  the  State  of  New  York  as  having  but  3  Councils  and 

522 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  52S 

110  members  and  the  State  Council  disbanded.  On  May  21,  1878, 
the  State  Body  was  reorganized  and  took  on  new  life,  and  from  that 
until  the  charter  was  revoked  by  the  National  Councilor  in  1900, 
the  State  Council  did  business  "  at  the  old  stand." 

We  are  without  State  Council  data  of  those  earlier  years,  in 
fact  have  not  been  in  possession  of  any  of  the  Proceedings  of  the 
reorganized  State  Council,  with  the  exception  of  that  of  1899, 
hence  the  information  at  hand  is  from  general  knowledge  obtained 
from  other  sources.  In  common  with  other  states,  New  York  had 
its  struggles  and  slow  growth  until  the  "  revival "  of  1889.  The 
National  Councilor,  in  his  report  of  1896,  referred  to  the  great 
progress  the  Order  had  made  in  New  York,  the  state  having  at  that 
time  S'O  Councils  and  4,700  members,  being  a  gain  of  31  Councils 
and  2,000  members  for  the  fiscal  year.  Most  excellent  work  was 
achieved  by  Special  Organizer  W.  A.  Ray  who  was  appointed  No- 
vember 5,  1895,  through  whose  energy  Councils  were  planted  in 
every  city  he  entered,  notwithstanding  the  opposition  he  encoun- 
tered from  the  O.  IT.  A.  M.  Brother  G.  E.  Potter,  of  Connecticut, 
rendered  valuable  service  in  the  organization  of  10  Councils. 
Death,  however,  removed  him  from  his  cherished  work. 

Through  the  courtesy  of  Brother  H.  W.  Way,  then  Acting 
State  Council  Secretary  of  New  York,  we  obtained  a  copy  of  the 
Proceedings  of  1899  session,  the  last  record  of  the  old  State  Coun- 
cil whose  charter  was  subsequently  revoked  by  order  of  the  National 
Judiciary  for  insubordination  in  refusing  to  obey  the  mandates  of 
the  National  Council  by  paying  the  National  per  capita  tax  or 
accepting  its  code  of  laws  revised  at  Minneapolis. 

The  session  of  1S99  was  held  at  Lockport,  September  -1  and  5, 
with  State  Councilor  W.  C.  Anderson  in  the  Chair.  The  session 
was  taken  up  with  the  consideration  of  the  various  reports  which 
were  elaborate  in  detail,  the  text  of  which  filled  16-1  pages  of  the 
Proceedings  out  of  a  total  of  238  pages.  In  referring  to  the  de- 
pression that  seemed  to  rest  upon  the  Order  in  the  state,  State 
Councilor  Anderson  had  this  to  say : 

"  Some  of  the  causes  of  this  condition  are  familiar  to  all.  Increased 
taxation  on  the  part  of  the  National  Council  in  order  to  put  in  effect 
an  object  (Orphans'  Home)  which  the  members  of  this  State  had  voted 
solidly  against,  no  doubt  had  its  effect,  but  that  object  having  been  car- 
ried and  the  Order  made  responsible  for  its  perpetuation  I  feel  that  every 
brother  in  New  York  State  will  respond  to  the  call  by  showing  his 
true  American  spirit  in  bowing  to  the  will  of  the  majority  and  giving 
his  hearty  support  to  the  National  Orphans'  Home  of  the  Jr.  O.  U.  A.  M." 


524  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

Brother  Anderson  proved  his  loyalty  to  the  National  Council 
when  the  "  parting  of  ways  "  subsequently  came  and  threw  himself 
in  the  way  of  the  plunge  into  an  unwarranted  rebellion  the  State 
Council  finally  made  during  the  session,  but  his  pleas  for  submis- 
sion to  the  mandates  of  the  National  Council  were  unavailing. 

The  standing  of  the  State   Council  at  this  session  was  as 

follows: 

Number    of    Councils 105 

Number    of    Members 8,484 

Received  by  Subordinate  Councils $69,863.58 

Paid  for  Relief   24,589.03 

Worth   of   Councils    50,958.34 

The  first  effort  to  resist  the  mandates  of  the  National  Council 
was  in  the  refusal  of  the  State  Body  to  have  the  laws  of  the  State 
Council  revised  to  be  in  harmony  with  the  laws  enacted  at  Minne- 
apolis. In  the  presentation  of  the  Eeport  of  the  Eepresentatives  to 
the  National  Council,  there  was  not  agreement,  two  of  the  Repre- 
sentatives, Brothers  W.  C.  Anderson  and  Wm.  S.  McClure,  present- 
ing individual  reports,  because  of  the  strictures  the  original  report 
had  made  on  the  National  Council;  which,  however,  were  subse- 
quently stricken  out  and  in  the  revised  report  the  names  of  all 
the  Representatives  appear. 

The  "  straw  that  broke  the  camel's  back  "  was  in  refusing  to 
honor  the  levy  of  the  National  Council  tax  as  directed  by  enact- 
ment of  the  National  Body.  Since  the  meeting  of  the  National 
Council  in  June,  an  incendiary  and  rebellious  circular  signed  by  the 
famous  quintette — Pike,  Miers,  Parker,  Keeton  and  Boyden — had 
been  sent  to  the  Councils  of  New  York  State  urging  them  to  author- 
ize their  representatives  to  the  State  Council  to  vote  to  refuse  to 
pay  any  further  National  Council  tax,  and  to  refuse  to  recognize 
the  new  laws  "illegally  adopted,"  etc.  In  line  with  said  circular 
Andrew  Jackson  Council,  No.  64,  of  New  York  City,  submitted  a 
set  of  resolutions  approving  the  plan  and  purpose  of  said  insurgent 
committee  as  set  forth  in  said  libelous,  false  and  scurrillous  docu- 
ment, and  asked  the  State  Council  to  pledge  its  support  of  same. 
The  resolutions,  however,  were  declared  out  of  order  by  State  Coun- 
cilor Anderson,  from  which  decision  an  appeal  was  taken  and  on 
a  count  vote,  41  voted  to  sustain  the  State  Councilor  and  53  not 
to  sustain  him,  hence  the  resolutions  were  adopted  in  principle  as 
an  expression  of  the  sentiments  of  the  majority  of  the  State  Coun- 
cil of  New  York-.  Representative  Singer  then  offered  a  substitute 
that  the  question  of  paying  the  per  capita  tax  to  the  National  Coun- 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  525 

cil  be  submitted  to  the  members  of  the  Order  in  the  state  and  the 
final  action  to  be  decided  by  the  majority  of  members  voting.  The 
substitute  for  a  referendum  vote,  an  unheard-of  thing,  was  carried, 
thereby  defying  the  mandates  of  the  National  Council,  as  the 
Councils  decided  by  their  votes  not  to  pay  the  tax. 

Following  said  action  of  the  State  Council,  National  Coun- 
cilor Beeves  brought  charges  against  the  State  Body  for  wilfully 
failing  to  comply  with  the  enactment  of  the  National  Council  to 
levy  and  collect  said  National  Council  tax  and  pay  same  over  to 
the  proper  authorities.  The  National  Judiciary  cited  the  State 
Council  officers  to  a  hearing,  December  8,  1899,  but  they  failed  to 
put  in  an  appearance  and  the  case  went  on  without  them.  The 
full  account  of  the  trial  and  the  opinion  and  decree  of  the  National 
Judiciary  is  given  in  another  place;  suffice  it  to  say,  however,  that 
the  Court  referred  to  the  referendum  of  the  question  of  paying  the 
National  Council  per  capita  tax  to  the  Subordinate  Councils  as 
unwarranted,  and  that  it  did  not  excuse  them  from  paying  same 
as  the  vote  of  the  members  was  only  an  expression  of  mere  opinion. 

When  the  State  Council  met  in  annual  session  at  Kome,  on 
September  3,  1900,  everything  was  statu  quo,  and  another  effort  was 
made  by  the  loyal  members  of  the  State  Body  to  save  the  State 
Council  from  leaping  into  the  maelstrom  of  fraternal  revolution. 
The  entire  subject  was  placed  in  the  hands  of  a  Committee,  a  major- 
ity of  which,  however,  reported  back  to  the  body  insisting  on  carry- 
ing out  the  plans  and  purposes  already  adopted  not  to  pay  the  per 
capita  tax.  Past  State  Councilor  Anderson  submitted  a  minority 
report,  which  was  as  follows : 

"  I  therefore,  recommend  that  in  the  consideration  of  the  duty  we 
owe  the  author  of  our  existence  under  whose  supervision  we  have  passed 
through  years  of  prosperity,  being  privileged  to  aid  in  advancing  our 
principles  in  every  state  in  the  Union,  and  in  the  interest  of  a  united 
organization,  we  affirm  our  allegiance  to  the  National  Council,  Jr. 
O.  U.  A.  M.  of  the  United  States  of  America,  and  direct  our  officers  to 
pay  to  the  National  Council  the  amount  of  per  capita  tax  due  that  body 
for  the  year  1899,  and  all  other  indebtedness  for  which  the  State  Council 
is  or  may  be  liable." 

The  minority  report  was  ruled  out  of  order,  whereupon  a  point 
of  order  was  raised  by  the  loyalists  that  the  vote  of  the  Subordinate 
Councils  did  not  sever  the  relationship  of  the  members  from  the 
National  Council,  which  was  decided  not  well  taken  by  the  presid- 
ing officer.  From  this  decision  an  appeal  was  taken  by  Brother 
Anderson,  and  it  was  agreed  that  the  vote  on  the  appeal  should 
determine  the  entire  question  involved,  which  resulted  in  sustain- 


526  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

ing  the  State  Councilor  by  a  vote  of  112  to  94.  These  facts  also 
were  brought  before  the  Judicial  tribunal  and  after  mature  de- 
liberation, the  National  Judiciary  suspended  the  charter,  making 
a  decree  that  if  the  requirements  of  the  National  Council  were 
not  met  by  the  18th  of  January,  1901,  the  charter  should  be  revoked, 
.  which  was  done  January  21,  1901,  therefore  bringing  to  an  igno- 
minious end  the  State  Council  of  New  York  after  2S'  years  of  exist- 
ence. 

THE    LOTAT.    STATE    COUNCIL    OF    NEW    YORK 

But  New  York  was  not  long  without  a  State  Council.  The 
loyalists  were  not  to  be  thrust  out  of  the  Order  in  this  summary 
manner,  but  active  spirits  as  W.  C.  Anderson,  0.  L.  Forrester,  C.  A. 
Jagger,  G.  W.  Schaefer,  Charles  Kernan,  J.  W.  Cheshire,  E.  A. 
Hawley  and  others  formed  the  "  Loyal  Council's  Association," 
through  which  Association  an  application  for  a  charter  for  a  State 
Council  was  made  and  the  same  Avas  granted,  and  on  the  12th  of 
February,  1901,  the  convention  met  at  Brooklyn  for  the  pur- 
pose of  instituting  the  Loyal  State  Council  in  due  form. 

Past  State  Councilor  0.  L.  Forrester,  Chairman  of  the  Loyal 
Council's  Association,  presided  in  the  preliminary  exercises  in 
which  the  business  of  said  Association  was  closed  up  and  then  dis- 
solved; whereupon  the  meeting  was  turned  over  to  the  Deputy 
National  Councilor,  W.  C.  Anderson,  who  proceeded  with  a  tem- 
porary organization  and  opened  the  session  in  the  usual  way.  The 
Credential  Committee  reported  54  delegates  present,  representing 
28  Councils,  who  were  obligated  and  admitted  to  the  convention. 
The  convention  then  went  into  the  election  of  officers,  which  resulted 
as  follows: 

Jr.  Past  State  Councilor — C.  W.  Lisle, 

State  Councilor — 0.  L.  Forrester, 

State  Vice-Councilor — Charles   Kernan, 

State  Council  Secretary — G.   W.   Schaefer, 

State  Council  Treasurer — H.   Hulse, 

State  Council  Conductor — W.    K.    Haviland, 

State  Council  Warden — Benj.  Knapp, 

State  Council  Sentinels — F.  A.  Perry  and  C.  S.  Knapp, 

State  Council  Chaplain — J.    W.    Cheshire. 

J.  C.  Brower,  E.  L.  Bouton  and  James  Bullard  were  elected  Na- 
tional Representatives.  After  the  above  named  officers  were  in- 
stalled, the  Deputy  National  Councilor  declared  the  State  Council 
of  New  York  duly  constituted,  and  turned  the  new  organization 
over  to  its  presiding  officer,  State  Councilor  0.  L.  Forrester,  and 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  527 

again  New  York  came  under  "  Home  Rule.''  National  Secretary 
Edw.  S.  Dcemer  was  an  interested  visitor,  whose  presence  added 
much  enthusiasm  to  the  occasion.  Having  received  copies  of  the 
Proceedings  of  the  State  Council  from  Brother  H.  W.  Way,  State 
Council  Secretary,  a  synopsis  of  the  same  will  follow. 

The  State  Council  immediately  got  down  to  business,  acting 
upon  amendments  to  the  National  Council  laws,  as  well  as  adopting 
a  code  of  laws  for  the  governing  of  the  State  Council.  As  the  old 
State  Council  officers  were  seeking  injunctions  to  restrain  the  new 
State  Council,  the  title  given  to  the  new  State  Body  was  "  The 
New  York  State  Council  Junior  Order  United  American  Mechan- 
ics." So  far  as  the  litigation  in  the  Order  in  New  York  is  con- 
cerned, the  reader  is  cited  to  the  chapter  in  the  appropriate  section 
of  this  volume. 

The  Thirtieth  Annual  Session  of  the  New  York  State  Council 
convened  at  Newburgh,  February  12,  1902,  presided  over  by  State 
Councilor  0.  L.  Forrester.  Owing  to  the  rebellion  existing  in  the 
Order  and  the  unrest  arising  therefrom,  the  position  of  State  Coun- 
cilor was  not  that  which  anyone  would  covet,  but  in  Brother  For- 
rester the  Order  had  a  man  at  the  helm  who  was  eminently  fitted 
for  the  ordeal,  being  fearless,  yet  at  the  same  time  was  conservative, 
fair  and  just  in  the  administration  of  the  affairs  of  the  organization. 

During  the  year  the  State  Councilor  had  the  unpleasant  duty 
of  revoking  the  charters  of  a  number  of  Councils  for  insubordin- 
ation, as  well  as  to  suspend  several  of  hitherto  prominent  members 
of  the  Order  for  contempt  of  the  State  Judiciary.  Many  intricate 
and  perplexing  questions  arose,  growing  out  of  the  disturbed  state 
of  affairs,  but  all  were  met  in  an  intelligent  manner  and  every  act 
was  approved  by  the  State  Council. 

Fifty  votes  were  cast  in  the  election  of  officers,  resulting  as 

follows : 

State  Councilor — O.  L.  Forrester    (unanimously  reelected), 

State  Vice-Councilor— W.  N.  Rudd, 

State  Council  Secretary — James   C.   Brower, 

State  Council  Treasurer — F.  R.   Oliver. 


The  City  of  Syracuse  entertained  the  Thirty-first  Annual  Ses- 
sion of  the  New  York  State  Council,  February  12  and  13,  1903, 
State  Councilor  Forrester  in  the  Chair. 

The  year  had  been  a  strenuous  one  on  the  part  of  the  Board 
of  Officers,  especially  for  the  State  Councilor,  who  found  the  entire 


528  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

phalanx  of  the  rebellious  element  opposing  his  administration,  at- 
tempting to  poison  the  minds  of  the  loyalists  and  create  discord  in 
the  ranks  of  the  loyal  State  Body.  But  the  Order  in  the  state  had 
a  good  general  at  the  head  who  held  aloft  the  banner  of  Juniorism 
around  which  the  fraternity  rallied  and  the  black  flag  of  treason 
was  lowered  in  defeat.  The  year  in  every  way  was  crowned  with 
great  achievements,  and  at  its  close  the  Order  never  was  on  a 
firmer  basis,  the  personnel  of  its  membership  never  of  so  high  a 
standard  and  its  future  never  brighter.  That  which  brought  re- 
joicing to  the  members  of  the  "  Empire  State,"  was  the  great  victory 
obtained  in  the  Courts  of  the  state  in  which  the  suit  of  the  insur- 
gent State  Body  against  the  loyal  State  Council  was  dismissed  and 
the  loyal  Body  sustained. 

It  was  a  mark  of  highest  esteem  on  the  part  of  the  State  Coun- 
cil, that  for  the  third  time  in  succession  it  placed  in  the  Chair 
of  State  Councilor,  the  true  and  tried  leader,  Brother  0.  L.  Forres- 
ter. His  administration  had  been  so  satisfactory  and  his  fearless- 
ness so  marked,  that  the  Order  was  not  ready  to  "  swap  horses 
while  crossing  the  stream." 


Through  a  very  earnest  invitation,  the  State  Council  met  at 
the  Village  of  Greenport,  February  12,  1904,  with  State  Councilor 
Forrester  in  the  Chair. 

The  year  preceding  showed  a  more  remarkable  advance  than 
any  previous  year,  the  gain  in  Councils  and  membership  being  a 
source  of  great  gratification  to  the  members  of  the  State  Body,  there 
being  an  increase  of  14  Councils  and  1,514  members,  making  a 
total  of  63  Councils  and  6,613  members.  During  Brother  Forres- 
ter's administration  of  three  years,  there  was  a  gain  of  35  Councils 
and  3,921  members. 

Several  resolutions  were  adopted,  among  which  were  the  fol- 
lowing : 

1.  The  establishment  of  an  Employment  Bureau. 

2.  Requesting  every  member  of  the  Order  in  the  State  to  wear  an 
emblem  of  the  Order. 

3.  Protesting  against  the  reorganization  of  the  Educational  Depart- 
ment of  the  State  of  New  York  which  it  was  thought  would  be  inimical 
to  the  Public  School  System  of  the  State. 

A  resolution  to  enter  into  a  contract  with  the  Western  Junior 
Publishing  Company  for  one  copy  of  the  paper  to  be  sent  to  each 
Council  in  the  state,  was  defeated  by  a  vote  of  40  to  24.  During 
the  past  year  the  State  Council  had  a  contract  with  the  Publishing 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  529 

Company,  but  the  tenor  of  the  paper  was  not  satisfactory  to  the 
loyal  brothers  of  New  York  and  the  contract  was  cancelled. 

In  the  consideration  of  a  new  code  of  laws,  the  following 
features  were  adopted: 

1.  Changing  the  time  of  the  meeting  of  the  State  Council  from 
February  to  first  Monday  in  September  of  each  year. 

2.  Rearrangement   of   Permanent  Committees: 

a.  Committee  on  Law  to  be  composed  of  the  Jr.  Past  State  Councilor, 
State    Council    Warden    and    State    Council    Conductor. 

6.  Committee  on  Finance  and  Good  of  the  Order  to  consist  of  the 
State  Council  Trustees. 

c.  Committee  on  Credentials  to  be  composed  of  the  State  Council 
Treasurer  and  two  Senior  National  Representatives. 

d.  Committee  on  Legislation  to  consist  of  the  State  Councilor, 
State  Vice-Councilor  and  State  Council  Chaplain. 

ek  Committee  on  Mileage  and  Per  Diem  to  be  composed  of  the  State 
Council  Secretary,  and  State  Council  Sentinels. 

In  the  election  of  officers,  the  following  was  the  result: 

State  Councilor — Wm.  H.  Moore, 
State  Vice-Councilor — W.  A.  Sanders, 
State  Council  Secretary — James   C.   Brower, 
State  Council  Treasurer — G.   H.   Plass. 


The  State  Council  convened  at  Port  Jervis,  September  5,  1905, 
with  State  Councilor  Moore  in  the  Chair.  Several  distinguished 
visitors  were  present  whose  presence  and  words  added  much  to  the 
interest  and  enthusiasm  of  the  occasion,  viz. :  Brothers  Z.  P.  Smith, 
editor  of  The  American;  Jesse  Taylor,  State  Councilor  of  Ohio, 
and  Stephen  Collins,  Secretary-Manager  of  the  Funeral  Benefit 
Department.  The  report  of  the  State  Council  Secretary  showed 
that  there  were,  on  June  30,  68  Councils  and  7,713  members,  being 
a  net  gain  of  6  Councils  and  1,138  members. 

The  Employment  Bureau  having  been  approved  by  the  Board 
of  Officers,  it  submitted  its  first  report.  During  the  year,  or  rather 
the  17  months  of  its  existence,  there  were  filed  110  applications, 
of  which  number  33  received  positions,  17  applications  were  with- 
drawn, 13  failed  to  respond  to  positions  offered,  6  refused  positions 
offered  and  36  positions  could  not  be  filled  for  lack  of  suitable 
or  competent  applicants.  The  expenses  entailed  by  the  Bureau 
was  $164.  The  report  of  the  Committee  of  this  commendable 
undertaking  was  unanimously  received  and  the  thanks  of  the  State 
Council  was  tendered  them  by  a  rising  vote. 

A  statute  was  adopted  endorsing  the  "  Orphans'  Home  Com- 
mittee of  the  Empire  State,"'  which  Committee  had  assumed  the 
34 


530  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

undertaking  of  raising  $3,000  toward  the  Orphans'  Home  to  be 
used  in  the  construction  of  a  Laundry  for  the  Institution.  A  Silver 
Shower  was  taken  and  $31.34  was  collected.  A  strong  resolution 
relative  to  the  Immigration  problem  was  adopted  and  sent  to  Presi- 
dent Roosevelt  and  to  each  of  the  Senators  and  Congressmen  of  the 
State  of  Few  York. 

The  Election  Board  made  the  following  returns,  and  the  same 
with  the  minor  officers,  were  installed  by  Deputy  National  Coun- 
cilor E.  A.  Magill,  of  Pennsylvania : 

State  Councilor— W.  N.  Rudd, 

State  Vice-Councilor — Frank  J.  Kellogg, 

State  Council  Treasurer — G.  H.  Plass. 


In  Thirty-fourth  Annual  Session,  the  New  York  State  Council 
convened  at  Auburn,  September  3,  1906,  with  State  Councilor 
Rudd  presiding.  The  State  Councilor  submitted  a  most  excellent 
report,  in  the  preface  of  which  there  was  one  paragraph  that  is 
well  worth  preserving: 

"  Respect  your  Order,  your  Council  and  yourself.  Be  honest  and 
fair  with  your  Council  as  you  would  expect  your  Council  to  be  honest 
with  you.  Think  of  it  with  loyalty,  speak  of  it  with  praise,  and  act 
always  as  a  trustworthy  custodian  of  its  good  name.  Be  a  booster,  not 
a  knocker;  a  pusher,  not  a  kicker;  a  motor,  not  a  clog,  then  will  your 
Council  not  only  increase  its  membership,  but  become  a  standard  for 
others  to  follow  in  the  community  in  which  you  live." 

The  standing  of  the  State  Council  under  date  of  June  30,  1906. 
as  given  by  the  State  Council  Secretary,  showed  the  following: 

Number  of   Councils 76 

Number    of    Members 8,803 

being  a  gain  of  8  Councils  and  1,090  members. 

Received  by  Subordinate  Councils $75,905.70 

Paid    for    Relief 23,430.16 

Worth    of    Councils 52,621.99 

Receipts    of    State    Council $6,635.89 

Disbursements    6,327.21 

It  is  interesting  to  note  that  while  rebellion  in  New  York  left 
but  38  loyal  Councils  and,  as  reported  one  year  after  the  institution 
of  the  loyal  State  Council,  3,674  members,  that  the  loyal  wing  had 
so  advanced  by  1906,  with  29  less  Councils,  as  to  outnumber  the 
State  Council  of  1899  in  membership,  and  at  the  same  time  to 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  531 

exceed  the  latter  year  in  finances,  with  but  one  exception.     1'. 
way  of  comparison,  the  standing  of  1899  is  quoted: 

Number   of   Councils 105 

Number   of   Members 8,484 

Received   by   Subordinate    Councils $69,863.58 

Paid    for    Relief 24,589.03 

Worth    of    Councils 50,958.34 

The  report  of  the  Committee  on  securing  funds  for  the  con- 
struction of  the  laundry  at  the  National  Orphans'  Home  made  the 
gratifying  statement  that  $2,000  had  been  raised  toward  the  worthy 
enterprise. 

A  resolution  was  adopted  protesting  to  the  State  Council  of  the 
Daughters  of  Liberty  in  their  reported  intention  of  changing  or 
amending  the  laws  of  their  Order  relative  to  eligibility  for  member- 
ship, so  as  to  admit  anyone  who  is  an  American  to  membership. 

As  the  result  of  a  long  and  animated  discussion  relative  to  the 
trouble  within  the  Order  as  brought  about  by  the  rebellion  of  1899, 
the  following  was  adopted : 

"  That  in  the  event  the  former  members  of  this  Order  make  any 
overtures  toward  coming  back,  the  State  Board  of  Officers  be  empowered 
to  appoint  a  Conference  Committee." 

The  Election  Board  reported  the  following  as  the  result  of 
the  ballot  for  officers  for  the  ensuing  year : 

State  Councilor — Frank  J.  Kellogg, 
State  Vice-Councilor — James  W.  Cheshire, 
State  Council  Secretary — James   C.   Brower, 
State  Council  Treasurer — Julian  H.  Williams, 
State  Council  Conductor — Walter  Steers, 
State  Council  Warden — Charles   E.    Becker, 
State  Council  Sentinels — R.   C.  Meredith  and  Geo.  C.  Davis, 
State  Council  Chaplain — Peter   R.   Brown, 
State  Council  Trustee— Harr^  W.  Way, 

National  Council  Representatives — H.  G.  Kleist,  Geo.  H.  Plass,  Geo. 
B.   Arnot  and  Lester  Woolsey. 

The  State  Council  refused  to  adopt  a  resolution  to  send  four 
of  the  Past  State  Councilors,  qualified  for  admission,  to  the 
National  Council  at  its  next  session  in  Boston. 

The  State  Council  closed  with  the  installation  of  the  above 
named  officers  by  Deputy  National  Councilor  P.  A.  Magill,  of 
Pennsylvania. 


532  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

Maligned,  misrepresented  and  harassed  by  the  insurgent  ele- 
ment in  the  state,  generaled  by  one  L.  F.  Page,  the  most  violent 
conspirator  of  them  all,  with  a  vexatious  delay  in  having  the  liti- 
gation before  the  Courts  determined,  it  is  gratifying  to  know  the 
success  the  Order  has  attained  since  the  institution  of  the  loyal 
State  Council  in  February  of  1901.  During  that  period  the  organ- 
ization was  fortunate  in  having  a  body  of  leaders  who  know  no 
fear,  and  valiantly  and  loyally  fought  the  battle  for  the  National 
Council.  With  such  a  general  as  Forrester,  the  Order  in  the 
state  was  exceptionally  fortunate.  His  fearlessness,  enthusiasm 
and  faith  won  where  a  weak  man  might  have  failed.  By  his  side 
stood  a  band  of  noble  and  sturdy  men:  Past  State  Councilors  An- 
derson, Jinkins,  Lisle,  Jagger,  Rudd  and  Moore;  Past  National 
Eepresentatives  James  W.  Cheshire,  Chas.  W.  Adams,  Fred  P.  Oliver 
and  James  C.  Brower.  But  these  do  not  comprise  the  full  quota 
of  patriots  in  those  trying  years  who  stood  by  the  guns  and  upheld 
the  objects  and  principles  so  dear  to  every  true  American.  A  few 
can  only  be  mentioned :  Harry  W.  Way,  W.  K.  Haviland,  Walter 
Steers,  Geo.  H.  Plass,  W.  K.  Andrews,  Charles  Semken,  Lester 
Woolsey,  Geo.  B.  Arnot,  H.  G.  Kleist,  John  G.  Storm,  Julian  H. 
Williams,  E.  C.  Cook,  E.  V.  Baldwin,  B.  F.  Rogers  and  the  present 
State  Councilor  Frank  J.  Kellogg. 


NORTH    CAROLINA 

The  Junior  Order  was  introduced  into  the  Old  North  State 
by  Geo.  M.  Eawson,  of  Virginia,  in  the  organization  and  institu- 
tion of  Carolina  Council,  No.  1,  located  at  the  City  of  Ealeigh,  a 
charter  having  been  granted  for  same,  September  S,  18S7,  with  21 
applicants.  On  same  date  a  charter  was  granted  Tar  Heel  Council. 
No.  2,  located  at  Durbam,  which  was  instituted  by  National  Vice- 
Councilor  Orange.  On  October  13,  1887,  a  charter  was  granted 
Liberty  Council,  No.  3,  located  at  Salem.  These  three  Councils 
stood  alone  until  November,  1890,  when  Robert  E.  Lee  Council, 
No.  4,  was  instituted,  which  was  followed,  July  6,  1891,  by  the 
institution  of  Winston  Council,  No.  5,  with  29  applicants.  August 
24,  1891,  Asheville  Council,  No.  6,  was  instituted  by  Thos.  B.  Ivey, 
of  Virginia,  with  41  of  a  charter  list.  Brother  Ivey  also  instituted 
Hendersonville  Council,  No.  7,  May  3,  1892,  having  been  organized 
by  F.  M.  Johnson,  and  on  May  23  folloAving,  1892,  Thomas  B. 
Ivey  instituted  the  State  Council  of  North  Carolina. 

Brother  Ivey,  at  the  Cleveland  session  of  the  National  Coun- 
cil, in  1891,  referred  to  North  Carolina,  stating  that  Councils  No.  1 


UNITED  AMERICAN   MECHANICS  533 

and  No.  2  had  gone  defunct,,  but  he  had  got  No.  1  to  work  again, 
while  No.  3  kept  the  fires  of  Juniorism  burning.  Referring  to  the 
State  of  North  Carolina,  Brother  Ivey  said: 

"  The  people  of  North  Carolina  do  not  grasp  at  anything  spas- 
modically, but  once  they  have  taken  hold,  they  generally  remain  to  the 
end." 

The  sequel  proves  Brother  Ivey's  diagnosis  to  be  true.  At  that 
time  there  were  about  150  members  in  the  state. 

With  this  digression,  we  return  to  the  institution  of  the  State 
Council,  as  referred  to  above.  The  institution  took  place  at  Win- 
ston, and  was  composed  of  representatives  of  seven  Councils,  repre- 
senting a  membership  of  300.  Brother  Geo.  H.  Burnham  was  the 
first  State  Councilor. 

Brother  Ivey,  in  his  reference  to  the  institution  of  the  State 
Council,  spoke  of  Bros.  Hampton,  of  Winston ;  Thacker,  of  Greens- 
boro ;  Stewart,  of  Asheville,  and  Johnson,  of  Hendersonville,  as  the 
most  active  spirits  in  the  Order  at  that  time.  Five  Representatives 
to  the  National  Council  were  elected:  F.  L.  Jacobs,  W.  C.  Warner, 
T.  C.  Kuhler,  Geo.  H.  Burham  and  J.  T.  Thacker,  but  none  were 
present  at  the  session  that  met  at  Atlantic  City. 


The  Fifth  Annual  Session  of  the  State  Council  was  held  at 
Charlotte,  February  21,  1896,  State  Councilor  J.  A.  Clifton  in  the 
Chair.  The  proceedings  of  this  session  of  the  State  Council  were 
published  in  pamphlet  form,  quite  small,  however,  as  compared  with 
the  published  proceedings  of  the  session  of  1906.  Past  National 
Councilor  Brother  Faison's  name  appears  on  the  roll  of  representa- 
tives from  Raleigh  Council,  No.  1.  The  names  of  Brothers  Preston, 
Thacker  and  Horney  were  also  among  those  present  who,  either  pre- 
vious to  this  session  or  since  have  been  conspicuous  factors  in  the 
history  of  North  Carolina  Juniorism.  Portraits  of  Past  State 
Councilors  Joyce,  WTootton  and  Thacker,  and  that  of  State  Coun- 
cilor Clifton  adorned  the  little  booklet.  Thirty  members  were 
present. 

The  Order  increased  in  the  state  from  eight  Councils  and  409 
members  to  15  Councils  and  619  members  since  the  session  held  in 
1895.  A  resolution  to  eliminate  the  word  "  Mechanics  "  from  the 
name  of  the  Order  was  adopted  and  the  National  Representative's 
were  instructed  to  introduce  the  same  in  the  National  Body. 


584  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

Of  the  principal  officers,  the  following  were  elected  : 

State   Councilor — J.  A.   Clifton    (reelected), 
State  Vice-Councilor— W.    T.    Wootton, 
State  Council  Secretary — P.    S.    Preston, 
State  Council  Treasurer — C.   S.  Hampton. 

Greenboro  entertained  the  State  Council  at  its  Sixth  Annual 
Session,  February  23,  1897.  State  Councilor  Clifton  being  absent, 
State  Vice-Councilor  Wootton  presided.  Eev.  C.  A.  G.  Thomas, 
subsequently  elected  National  Representative  and  for  two  sessions 
occupied  the  position  of  National  Chaplain,  tendered  the  State 
Council  the  hospitalities  of  the  city,  and  of  Greenboro  Council,  No. 
13.  He  was  elected  State  Council  Chaplain  for  the  session.  About 
30  members  were  in  attendance. 

An  increase  of  members  was  reported,  there  being  943,  a  gain 
of  324.  Eeceipts  from  all  sources  of  the  Subordinate  Councils 
amounted  to  $7,983.30,  with  a  total  worth  of  Council,  $3,752.28. 
Four  new  Councils  had  been  instituted  during  the  year. 

In  the  election  of  officers  the  following  won : 

State  Councilor— W.  T.  Wootton, 

State  Vice-Councilor — W.  E.  Faison, 

State  Council  Secretary — P.   S.  Preston, 

State  Council  Treasurer — C.  S.  Hampton. 


Brothers  Wootton  and  Faison  were  at  the  helm  at  the  session 
of  the  State  Council  that  convened  at  Salisbury,  February  22,  1898. 
There  had  been  a  wonderful  uplift  of  the  Order  during  the  year 
under  the  enthusiastic  administration  of  the  State  officers,  and  the 
various  reports  were  indeed  very  gratifying.  To  Special  Organizer 
L.  L.  Albright  much  of  the  credit  was  due  for  the  great  advance 
made  and  the  State  Councilor  paid  him  a  befitting  tribute.  Twenty- 
three  new  Councils  were  organized  by  him  out  of  the  27  instituted, 
making  40  Councils  in  all  belonging  to  the  state,  representing  a 
total  membership  of  1,854,  or  a  gain  of  911  over  previous  year. 

From  a  business  point  of  view,  the  State  Council  made  a  suc- 
cess in  its  organizing  work,  indicating  that  the  officers  of  the  State 
Body  were  careful  business-like  men.  The  total  cost  to  the  State 
Council  for  the  23  Councils  Brother  Albright  organized  was  $322, 
while  the  Charter  fees  coming  back  to  the  State  Council  treasury 
amounted  to  $345,  or  a  net  gain  of  one  dollar  per  Council  organized 
by  Brother  Albright. 

Five  Representatives  attended  the  National  session  at  Pitts- 
burg, the  writer's  home  city,  the  leader  of  whom  was  Hon.  Brother 


UNITED  AMERICAN   MECHANICS  535 

Reynolds.     A  full  report  of  their  actions  u;is  submitted  at  this 
session.     On  party  questions,  they  voted  with  the  minority. 

At  this  time  the  National  Council  was  in  the  throes  of  contro- 
versy over  the  question  of  recognizing  either  of  the  Women's  Organ- 
izations as  Auxiliary.  North  Carolina  took  the  generally  accepted 
course,  by  passing  a  resolution  instructing  its  National  Represen- 
tatives to  vote  for  equal  recognition  of  both  organizations.  A  reso- 
lution to  not  vote  for  a  three-degree  Ritual  was  adopted. 

In  the  election  of  officers,  the  following  was  the  result  : 

State  Councilor — W.  E.  Faison, 
State  Vice-Councilor — A.  B.  Horney, 
State  Council  Secretary — P.  S.  Preston, 
State  Council  Treasurer — C.    S.    Hampton. 

The  session  was  a  very  interesting  one  and  each  member  re- 
turned home  with  high  hopes  for  a  glorious  future.  North  Caro- 
lina had  a  noble  body  of  men  manning  the  ship  at  this  time. 


Asheville,  February  22,  1899,  entertained  the  State  Body  at 
its  regular  session,  with  our  good  Brother  W.  E.  Faison  in  the 
Chair.  The  session  was  well  attended  and  the  year  had  witnessed 
a  continual  growth  in  the  Order.  From  the  mountains  to  the  sea 
the  organization  had  stretched  bringing  new  sections  under  the 
Junior  banner  through  the  energetic  campaign  of  the  year  just 
closing.  Twenty  newT  Councils  had  been  instituted,  making  the 
present  number  58,  and  a  gain  of  871  members  was  reported,  mak- 
ing a  membership  of  2,725.  From  all  sources  the  receipts  of  the 
Subordinate  Councils  was  $18,202.62 ;  paid  out  for  relief,  $1,493.86. 

In  speaking  of  the  State  Councilor's  report,  the  Committee 
had  this  to  say :  "  The  State  Councilor  has  given  a  splendid  adminis- 
tration and  deserves  the  gratitude  of  the  Order."  Brother  L.  L. 
Albright  had  been  continued  in  the  organizing  work,  having  12 
Councils  to  his  credit.  Five  years  before  there  were  in  the  state 
6  Councils  and  300  members.  The  standing  of  the  Order  at  this 
time  reflected  great  credit  to  the  leaders  and  officers  of  the  State 
Council. 

Some  cf  the  Councils  in  Virginia  were  passing  resolutions  in- 
structing the  proper  representatives  to  urge  an  amendment  to  the 
Constitution  of  the  Order  to  permit  foreigners,  after  ten  years' 
residence  and  five  years'  citizenship,  to  become  members  of  the 
Junior  Order.  North  Carolina,  loyal  to  the  sound  principles  of 
Eligibility,  said  No,  by  a  vote  of  50  to  1. 


536  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

As  the  result  of  the  election  of  officers,  A.  B.  Horney  was 
selected  for  State  Councilor,  B.  S.  Nissen  for  State  Vice-Councilor, 
P.  S.  Preston  reelected  Secretary  and  J.  T.  Thacker  was  elected 
Treasurer  of  the  State  Body.  Owing  to  business  interests,  Brother 
Preston  resigned  in  July  as  State  Council  Secretary,  and  Brother 
Sam  F.  Vance  was  authorized  by  the  Board  of  Officers  to  fill  the 
unexpired  term. 

The  Ninth  Annual  Session  was  held  at  Durham,  February  20, 
1900,  State  Councilor  A.  B.  Horney  in  the  Chair.  The  reports  of 
the  officers  showed  marked  advance  all  along  the  line.  One  year 
before  there  were  58  Councils,  at  this  session  79  were  reported. 
While  26  Councils  had  been  organized,  a  few  of  the  older  ones  had 
disbanded  or  consolidated.  So  far  this  was  the  "banner  year"  in 
gain  of  membership,  the  increase  being  1,200,  making  a  total  mem- 
bership in  the  state  of  3,925. 

The  newly  appointed  State  Council  Secretary  submitted  a  most 
excellent  report,  although  it  covered  but  part  of  the  year.  The 
Finance  Committee  complimented  the  Secretary  in  the  following 
language : 

"  We  are  glad  to  say  Bro.  Vance's  books  have  been  kept  in  a  neat 
and  business-like  manner,  and  think  the  State  Council  fortunate  in  having 
such  an  able  and  efficient  Secretary." 

In  harmony  with  the  principles  of  the  Order,  the  State  Coun- 
cil appropriated  $50  to  the  purchasing  and  putting  up  of  a  flag 
over  the  Deaf  and  Dumb  Institution  at  Morganton.  A  Bible  was 
presented  at  the  same  time. 

In  the  selection  of  officers,  the  following  were  elected : 

State  Councilor — B.  S.  Nissen, 

State  Vice-Councilor— C.  B.  Webb, 

State  Council  Secretary — Sam  F.  Vance    (reelected), 

State  Council  Treasurer — J.  T.  Thacker    (reelected). 


In  1901,  the  State  Council  met  at  Winston-Salem,  February 
19,  with  State  Vice- Councilor  Webb  in  the  Chair.  The  State  Coun- 
cilor, Brother  Nissen,  owing  to  ill  health,  was  forced  to  absent  him- 
self from  the  session,  and  in  fact  much  of  the  duties  of  the  Execu- 
tive rested  upon  the  other  members  of  the  Board  owing  to  his 
serious  affliction,  hence  the  advance  of  the  Order  that  had  been  so 
marked  in  other  years  was  not  so  great  during  the  year  past;  yet 
as  evidence  of  how  his  associates  kept  the  work  moving,  a  gain  in 


UNITED  AMERICAN   MECHANICS  537 

membership  was  reported  of  580  and  18  Councils  were  instituted, 
although  there  was  but  a  net  increase  of  one  Council  because  of 
the  disbanding  of  older  and  weaker  ones.  According  to  the  report 
of  the  State  Council  Secretary,  there  were  80  Councils  and  1.1:-  1 
members. 

Officers  for  the  ensuing  year  were  elected  as  follows : 

State  Councilor — C.   B.   Webb, 

State  Vice-Councilor — J.  B.  More, 

State  Council  Secretary — Sam   F.   Vance    (reelected), 

State  Council  Treasurer — J.  T.  Thacker    (reelected). 

Three  ministers  were  nominated  for  State  Council  Chaplain, 
but  Rev.  W.  H.  Roach  defeated  the  present  incumbent,  Rev.  E.  I'. 
Sawyer. 

The  representation  of  the  State  Council  was  changed,  being 
based  on  the  ratio  of  number  of  members.  For  a  membership  from 
7  to  25,  one  representative;  for  a  membership  of  25  to  75,  two 
representatives;  for  a  membership  above  75,  three  representatives. 

Wilmington  received  the  State  Body  at  its  Eleventh  Annual 
Session,  February  19,  1902,  C.  B.  Webb  presiding.  A  small  in- 
crease was  reported  in  members  but  a  loss  of  two  in  Councils. 
However,  the  finances  were  never  better,  showing  a  healthy  condi- 
tion of  the  Order. 

The  record  states  that  a  recess  of  15  minutes  was  declared  to 
allow  "  Mr.  C.  L.  Cadwallader,  Secretary  of  the  National  Funeral 
Benefit  Association,"  to  explain  the  status  of  his  Funeral  Benefit 
Association.  The  pains-taking  and  careful  State  Council  Secre- 
tary, Brother  Vance,  inadvertently  styled  Cadwallader  the  "  Secre- 
tary of  the  National  Funeral  Association,"  which,  of  course,  was 
an  error,  as  Brother  Stephen  Collins  at  that  time  was  the  Secretary- 
Manager  of  the  only  National  Funeral  Benefit  Association  that  had 
any  relation  with  the  Junior  0.  IT.  A.  M. 

The  question  of  State  Orphanage  had  been  agitating  the  North 
Carolina  Juniors  to  some  extent  and  there  was  a  fair  sentiment 
throughout  the  state  in  favor  of  such  a  project.  A  committee  had 
previously  been  appointed  to  consider  the  feasibility  of  the  proposi- 
tion, and  at  this  session  they  reported  in  favor  of  establishing  such 
an  institution,  whereupon,  a  motion  was  offered. 

"  That  it  is  the  sense  of  the  State  Council  to  establish  an 
Orphanage." 

The  subject  was  fully  discussed,  pro  and  con,  after  which  a  vote 
was  taken,  resulting  in  its  defeat. 


538  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

Very  appropriate  resolutions  were  drafted  relating  to  the 
assassination  of  President  McKinley,  in  which  the  President  was 
alluded  to  in  most  eulogistic  terms,  and  by  an  unanimous  vote  the 
same  were  adopted.  The  honors  of  Past  State  Councilor  were  con- 
ferred upon  State  Council  Secretary  Brother  Vance  in  accordance 
with  the  regulations  of  the  Order.  When  it  came  to  the  election 
of  officers,  the  following  were  selected : 

State  Councilor — C.  E.  Bennett, 

State  Vice-Councilor — Geo.  E.  Hood, 

State  Council  Secretary — Sam  F.  Vance    (reelected), 

State  Council  Treasurer — J.  T.  Thacker    (reelected). 

A  feature  of  the  State  Council  sessions  were  the  "  banquets  " 
with  which  the  local  Councils  entertained  their  visitors,  but  on  this 
occasion  they  were  treated  to  a  pleasurable  ride  on  the  bay,  and  on 
their  return  a  "  bountiful  spread  "  awaited  them,  laid  out  by  Jeff. 
Davis  Council,  No.  63.  (The  "  fighting  Parson  "  would  have  en- 
joyed the  same.) 

The  State  Council,  in  Twelfth  Annual  Session,  met  at  High 
Point,  February  17,  1903,  and  was  presided  over  by  State  Councilor 
C.  E.  Bennett,  assisted  by  State  Vice-Councilor,  the  Hon.  Geo.  E. 
Hood. 

The  reception  tendered  the  visitors  by  High  Point  was  pre- 
eminently cordial.  There  was  music  and  addresses  galore.  At 
3  p.m.,  the  Mayor,  Hon.  J.  J.  Cox,  extended  the  hospitalities,  to 
which  responses  were  made  by  Hon.  Geo.  E.  Hood  and  Rev.  W.  H. 
Roach,  whereupon  a  recess  was  declared  until  S  p.m.,  when  the  pre- 
liminary program  was  continued,  Rev.  W.  H.  Roach  acting  as  toast- 
master.  Brother  W.  P.  Ragan,  of  Trophy  Council,  extended  an- 
other address  of  welcome,  to  which  Rev.  E.  F.  Sawyer  responded. 
To  these  public  gatherings  and  not  hurried  preliminaries,  North 
Carolina  Juniorism  owes  much  of  its  success  and  popularity. 

The  State  Council  Secretary  reported  18  new  Councils  insti- 
tuted during  the  year,  4  reinstated,  and  in  good  standing  88.  In 
membership,  there  was  a  gain  of  531,  making  a  total  in  the  state 
of  5,23-1.  The  receipts  of  the  Subordinate  Councils  amounted  to 
$39,450.34 ;  paid  for  relief  and  funeral  benefits,  $8,389.46  for  the 
former,  and  $23,000  for  the  latter. 

A  resolution  endorsing  P.  S.  C,  W.  E.  Faison  for  the  high 
position  of  National  Vice-Councilor  was  unanimously  adopted,  and, 
as  the  sequel  shows,  North  Carolina  won  out  for  her  choice  at  the 
following  session  of  the  National   Council.     None  more  worthy 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  539 

could  have  been  selected  by  the  Juniors  of  North  Carolina  to  lead 
the  patriotic  hosts  of  the  Order  than  Brother  Faison.  His  pres- 
ence in  the  State  Council  was  always  a  source  of  enthusiasm  to 
the  brethren,  and  in  the  transaction  of  the  business  of  the  body, 
he  was  ever  a  prominent  figure.  That  he  was  true  to  his  high  trust, 
has  been  verified  by  his  admirable  administration  as  the  presiding 
officer  of  the  Supreme  Body,  more  than  15,000  members  having 
been  gathered  under  the  banner  of  the  Order  while  he  occupied 
the  Chair  as  National  Councilor :  and  ere  he  retires  from  the  Board 
of  Officers,  it  is  possible  that  60,000  members  will  have  been  brought 
into  the  organization.  (This  statement  was  verified,  the  increase 
exceeding  60,000.) 

A  resolution  was  adopted  showing  appreciation  of  the  deliv- 
erances of  Governor  Charles  B.  Aycock  in  the  interest  of  public 
education  in  the  State  of  North  Carolina.  A  resolution  endorsing 
a  State  periodical,  to  be  published  in  the  interest  of  the  Order  in 
North  Carolina,  was  also  adopted.  The  presence  of  the  National 
Councilor,  the  late  and  much  lamented  Geo.  B.  Bowers,  added  much 
enthusiasm  and  interest  to  the  session.  His  address  was  timely 
and  highly  appreciated.  A  resolution,  out  of  the  ordinary  line, 
was  adopted,  signed  by  22  members,  "  and  all  other  members." 
It  was  a  request  made  of  Capron  Council,  No.  33,  to  return  as  their 
Eepresentative,  Brother  Ernest  Christian,  stating  in  the  preamble: 

"  We  believe  the  life  and  real  pleasure  of  the  State  Council  one  year 
from  now  almost  entirely  depends  upon  his  presence,  etc." 

Balloting  for  candidates  to  fill  the  various  offices  was  lively, 
frequently  requiring  the  second  ballot  to  decide.  Of  the  principal 
officers,  the  following  were  elected : 

State  Councilor — Geo.  E.  Hood, 

State  Vice-Councilor— T.  G.  Cobb, 

State   Council   Secretary — Sam   F.   Vance    (reelected), 

State  Council  Treasurer — J.  T.  Thacker    ( reelected ) . 

These  as  well  as  the  minor  officers  were  installed  by  National 
Councilor  Geo.  B.  Bowers. 


The  Thirteenth  Annual  Session  convened  at  Charlotte,  Febru- 
ary 23,  1904,  State  Councilor  Hood  presiding.  The  attendance 
was  large  and  the  enthusiasm  great.  State  Councilor  Hood  wielded 
the  gavel  with  a  master-hand,  demonstrating  executive  ability  of  a 
high  standard,  and  in  all  his  rulings  he  commanded  universal 
respect  and  esteem. 


540  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

Couched  in  beautiful  terms,  the  State  Councilor  presented  his 
report.  His  reference  to  the  death  of  Past  National  Councilor 
Bowers  was  very  pathetic  and  appropriate.  In  response  to  a  com- 
munication of  the  State  Councilor  sent  out  during  the  year,  it  was 
learned  that  39  Councils  in  the  state  had  presented  to  the  Public 
Schools  of  the  Commonwealth  either  flags  or  Bibles,  and  in  some 
instances,  both  a  flag  and  a  Bible.  The  same  patriotic  duty  had 
been  previously  performed  by  other  Councils  so  that  along  the  lines 
of  Patriotism  and  Morality,  the  Order  in  North  Carolina  was  up 
to  if  not  in  the  lead  of  any  state  in  the  Union. 

The  State  Councilor  submitted  13  recommendations,  all  of 
which  were  approved.  (The  number  13  had  no  influence  with 
Brother  Hood;  the  Thirteenth  Session  with  13  recommendations.) 

In  concluding  his  most  excellent  report,  State  Councilor  Hood 
said: 

"  We  were  first  in  the  Revolutionary  War,  first  in  the  Civil  War, 
first  in  the  Spanish-American  War,  and,  brothers,  we  must  he  first  in  the 
Junior  Order." 

Equally  encouraging  and  gratifying  was  the  report  of  the 
State  Council  Secretary,  Brother  Vance.  Never  in  the  history 
of  the  Order  in  the  state  was  so  great  an  interest  shown  and  such 
results  achieved.  A  net  gain  of  25  Councils  was  reported  and  an 
increase  of  membership  to  the  number  of  2,816,  making  in  all  113 
Councils  and  7,980  members,  or  a  gain  of  54  per  cent.  The  re- 
ceipts of  Subordinate  Councils  amounted  to  $13,162.63;  the  total 
worth  of  Councils,  $52,612.97. 

A  resolution  to  initiate  Ministers  of  the  Gospel  at  reduced 
rates  met  with  defeat. 

One  night  session  was  given  to  an  open  meeting  in  the  Court 
House  where  ladies  as  well  as  Juniors  were  present.  The  address 
of  welcome  was  made  and  the  response  by  State  Councilor  Hood 
in  behalf  of  the  State  Body  followed.  Brother  Z.  P.  Smith  and 
Hon.  B.  R.  Lacey,  the  State  Treasurer,  also  favored  the  large 
audience  with  addresses. 

The  salary  of  the  State  Council  Secretary  was  placed  at  $750. 
A  page  of  the  Proceedings  was  given  in  Memoriam  of  Brother 
Bowers  and  a  full  page  cut  inserted. 

When  the  election  of  officers  was  held,  it  was  found  that  the 
results  were  as  follows: 

State  Councilor — T.   G.   Cobb, 

State  Vice-Councilor — Z.    P.   Smith, 

State  Council  Secretary — Sam  F.  Vance    (reelected), 

State  Council  Treasurer — G.  V.  Fulp. 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  541 

Brother  Stephen  Collins,  Secretary-Manager  National  Funeral 
Benefit  Association,  and  C.  G.  Hazlip,  of  St.  Louis,  were  intro- 
duced, and  addressed  the  State  Council. 


February  21-22,  1905,  found  the  State  Council  in  annual 
session  at  Goldsboro,  with  T.  G.  Cobb  presiding.  The  election  of 
officers  came  up  in  the  early  part  of  the  session,  which  resulted 
as  follows: 

State  Councilor — Z.  P.  Smith, 
State  Vice-Councilor— R.   T.    Poole, 

with  Brothers  Vance  and  Fulp  reelected  Secretary  and  Treasurer 
of  the  State  Body. 

The  year  past  exceeded  all  previous  years  in  advancement 
made,  there  being  55  new  Councils  instituted,  of  which  number 
43  were  organized  by  Brother  John  E.  Bridgers ;  however,  deducting 
those  disbanded,  the  net  increase  was  only  26.  The  total  member- 
ship reported  was  10,091,  or  a  gain  of  2,111.  Sixty-six  counties 
of  the  state  had  come  under  the  banner  of  the  Order  in  one  or 
more  councils  each.  In  the  rapid  increase  of  new  Councils,  North 
Carolina  was  learning  the  same  lesson  that  Pennsylvania  had 
learned  years  before — too  prolific — many  Councils  scarcely  living 
the  year;  or  in  the  common  parlance,  "died  a  'bornin'."  Several 
of  the  new  Councils  failed  to  report  to  the  State  Council  Secretary, 
which  was  an  evidence  that  they  lacked  attention  after  their  insti- 
tution, which  in  so  many  cases  has  been  the  bane  of  the  Order. 

A  protest  against  the  establishment  of  a  Bureau  of  Immigra- 
tion in  North  Carolina  called  forth  a  vigorous  discussion,  and 
the  same  was  finally  adopted.  The  establishment  of  a  State  Or- 
phanage was  still  kept  in  the  foreground  and  was  the  subject  of  an 
animated  discussion  at  this  session.  The  Special  Committee  to 
which  the  question  had  been  referred,  presented  a  majority  and 
minority  report.  Finally  a  substitute  was  offered  for  all  that  was 
before  the  house,  "that  the  State  Council  of  North  Carolina  Jr. 
0.  IT.  A.  M.,  establish  an  Orphans'  Home  in  our  State."  A  Com- 
mittee of  five  was  appointed  to  receive  offers  for  sites  and  buildings, 
to  ascertain  cost  of  equipment,  etc.,  and  report  at  the  next  session. 


The  session  of  1906,  which  closes  the  record  of  North  Carolina 
State  Council,  so  far  as  this  history  goes,  was  held  at  Salisbury, 
February  20-22,  it  being  the  Fifteenth  Annual  meeting.  Brother 
Z.  P.  Smith  presiding.     The  preliminary  exercises  were  held  on  the 


542  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

evening  of  the  first  day,  at  which  time  Brother  Smith  W.  Bennett, 
of  Ohio,  made  an  address.  On  Wednesday  morning  the  State  Coun- 
cil was  specially  honored  with  the  presence  of  National  Councilor 
W.  L.  S.  Gilcreast,  National  Secretary  E.  S.  Deemer,'  Junior  Past 
National  Councilor  W.  E.  Faison,  Stephen  Collins,  Secretary- 
Manager  Funeral  Benefit  Association,  Smith  W.  Bennett,  Chief 
Counsel,  A.  G.  Martin  and  E.  E.  Dillingham,  State  Councilor  and 
State  Council  Secretary  of  Georgia.  The  State  Council  was  well 
officered  and  its  proceedings  were  very  interesting. 

The  report  of  the  State  Councilor  referred  to  the  great  ques- 
tion of  immigration,  and  also  discussed  the  subjects  of  Child  Labor 
and  Compulsory  Education.  The  recommendation  of  the  Governor 
to  the  State  Legislature  for  an  act  to  regulate  Child  Labor,  although 
pressed  by  the  Executive,  was  defeated  by  the  legislative  body. 
Referring  to  the  Order,  Brother  Smith  made  some  very  good  sug- 
gestions. 

The  report  of  Brother  Vance,  State  Council  Secretary,  was 
complete  as  well  as  encouraging.  That  he  is  an  efficient  official 
is  self-evident,  when  from  year  to  year  his  record  has  been  read, 
as  it  has  been  our  privilege  to  do  in  making  up  this  short  sketch 
of  North  Carolina  Juniorism.  Brother  Vance  referred  to  the  most 
excellent  condition  of  the  Order  both  in  standing  and  numbers. 
The  number  of  Councils  instituted  was  22,  all  of  them  organized 
on  a  safer  basis  than  those  of  other  years.  No  organizer  was  em- 
ployed which  was  shown  to  have  been  the  wiser  method.  The  State 
Council  Secretary  kept  in  close  touch  with  all  of  the  new  Councils 
and  by  this  supervision  and  attention  kept  them  in  line. 

As  this  closes  the  record  of  North  Carolina  (Dec.  31,  1905), 
a  fuller  statement  of  its  present  standing  (1906)  is  in  order. 

Number   of    Councils 153 

Number   of   Members 12,070 

Receipts    from    Subordinate    Councils $89,281.08 

Paid    for    Relief 15,346.50 

Paid   for   Death   Benefits 10,996.25 

Paid  for  Funeral  Assessments •  •   31,211.08 

Paid  for  all  purposes 88,440.00 

Total   worth   of   Councils 52,210.93 

Per    capita    Tax 6,565.75 

Starting  fifteen  years  before  with  seven  councils  and  three 
hundred  members,  and  closing  the  decade  and  a  half  of  her  history 
with  153  Councils  and  12,070  members,  North  Carolina  should  be 
proud  of  her  brilliant  record  of  disseminating  patriotic  sentiment. 


UNITED  AMERICAN   MECHANICS  543 

No  state  in  all  the  galaxy  of  Commonwealths  of  this  Union  can 
show  such  advance  in  the  same  number  of  years.  And  yet  there 
is  nothing  so  wonderful  in  this  story,  when  the  records  of  the  "  Old 
North  State"  are  brought  to  light.  Here  on  May  21.  1775,  at 
Mecklenburg,  the  first  Declaration  of  Independence  was  declared — 
more  than  a  year  before  the  little  old  man  in  the  belfrey  of  Inde- 
pendence Hall,  Philadelphia,  swung  the  ponderous  pendulum  of 
the  old  Liberty  Bell  that  announced  the  birth  of  a  new  nation,  and 
the  founding  of  a  Republic.  Here  the  brave  patriots  aided  by  the 
noble  pioneers  of  Kentucky  and  Tennessee,  met  the  Redcoats  at 
King's  Mountain  and  gave  them  such  a  beating  that  it  hurled  Corn- 
wallis  back  upon  Yorktown  to  meet  his  final  overthrow  by  the  hands 
of  the  immortal  Washington.  Although  in  the  Civil  War  the 
State  "  went  out  of  the  Union,"  yet  no  braver  men  fought  for  what 
they  thought  was  right  than  the  "  Boys  in  Gray  "  from  North  Caro- 
lina. And  when  a  despotic  hierarchy  blew  up  the  "  Maine,"  among 
the  first  to  respoud  to  the  call  to  resent  the  insult  to  the  flag,  were 
the  boys  of  the  old  "  Tar  Heel  State,"  many  being  Juniors,  among 
whom  was  Colonel  "  Zip  "  P.  Smith. 

With  such  a  record  for  patriotism  and  loyalty  for  what  they 
thought  was  the  right,  it  is  not  any  wonder  after  all  that  an  organ- 
ization like  the  Jr.  0.  U.  A.  M.  would  find  a  rich  soil  and  that 
the  seed-truths  of  the  Order  would  spring  into  an  abundant  harvest. 
All  Hail,  "  North  Caroliny."  May  her  sun  never  set  and  may  her 
glory  remain  undimmed. 

The  Election  Board  declared  that  Brother  R.  T.  Poole 
was  unanimously  elected  State  Councilor ;  and  the  same  was  true  of 
Brothers  Sam  F.  Vance  and  Geo.  V.  Fulp  for  Secretary  and  Treas- 
urer of  the  State  Council.  C.  G.  Lee  was  selected  State  Vice- 
Councilor  by  a  vote  of  122  to  76. 

It  has  been  a  pleasure  to  the  writer  to  follow  the  history  of 
the  State  Council  and  Order  of  North  Carolina,  and  to  note  the 
marvelous  growth  of  the  organization.  The  character  of  her 
membership  is  above  the  average,  which  reflects  great  credit  upon 
those  who  watch  at  the  portals  of  the  Order.  Governors,  and  other 
State  officers,  members  of  the  Legislature  and  Congress,  Mayor? 
of  cities,  and  men  prominent  in  church  and  business  are  numbered 
among  her  growing  membership.  The  men  who  have  been  "  at 
the  helm  "  in  the  Order  have  measured  up  to  the  highest  standard 
of  executive  ability. 


544  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

If  we  would  begin  to  designate  the  brothers  whose  names 
appear  so  frequently  in  the  records  of  the  State  Council,  the  writer 
would  scarcely  know  where  to  end.  I  think  I  know  how  to  begin ; 
so  here  it  goes : 

Faison,  Vance,  "  Zip  "  Smith,  Wootton,  Webb,  Horney,  Cobb, 
Reynolds,  Robbins,  Poole,  Fulp,  Nissen,  Bennett,  Hood,  Preston, 
Bellamy,  Cranford,  Featherstone,  Lee,  Kege,  and  Revs.  Roach, 
Andrews,  Sawyer  and  Thomas.  "  And  what  shall  I  say  more,  for 
time  would  fail  me,"  etc.,  to  speak  of  the  "  silent  workers,"  yet 
just  as  active,  zealous  and  patriotic  whose  influence  is  largely  felt 
in  their  own  little  "  parish  " — the  home  Council. 


(The  session  of  the  State  Council  for  1908  was  held  at 
Winston-Salem  and  the  report  of  the  Secretary  showed  186  active 
Councils  and  17,624  members,  there  being  a  gain  for  the  year  of 
3,000.  Total  receipts  of  Subordinate  Councils,  $17S,636 ;  worth 
of  Councils,  $85,132.20.  Total  receipts  of  the  State  Council, 
$10,914.54;  total  assets,  $13,193.58.  The  officers  selected  were: 
State  Councilor,  Chas.  E.  Brewer;  State  Vice-Councilor  Jno.  F. 
Reynolds;  and  for  State  Council  Treasurer,  Geo.  V.  Fulp.) 


CHAPTER    XXXI 
PROCEEDINGS  OF  STATE  COUNCILS  (Continued) 

OHIO 

TO  Brother  J.  G.  A.  Richter,  State  Council  Secretary,  the 
writer  is  under  great  obligations  for  data  relative  to  the 
history  of  the  Order  in  the  "  Buckeye  State."  Brother  Richter 
again  and  again  submitted  facts  invaluable,  and  with  most  brotherly 
courtesy  rendered  every  assistance  possible. 

The  Senior  Order,  through  Geo.  W.  Jenkins,  State  Councilor 
of  the  0.  U.  A.  M.  of  Pennsylvania,  introduced  the  Junior  Order 
into  Ohio  in  August  of  1869,  by  the  institution  of  Friendship  Coun- 
cil, No.  1,  at  Salem,  which  was  some  months  prior  to  the  establish- 
ment of  the  National  Council.  The  charter,  which  contained 
17  names,  was  granted  by  State  Councilor  Edward  S.  Deemer,  of 
Pennsylvania,  attested  by  George  W.  R.  Carteret,  State  Coun- 
cil Secretary,  April  10,  1869.  The  following  were  the  charter 
members : 

John  M.  Meade,  Clark  Miller,  Robert  Rittenhouse,  Francis  W.  Meade, 
Jr.,  John  H.  Kirkbride,  Marcus  Reep,  Frank  B.  Robinson,  David  Reader, 
Joseph  T.  Smith,  James  A.  Leech,  Wm.  B.  Long,  W.  P.  Goodwin,  G.  A. 
Fries,  James  A.  Teegarden,  James  H.  Umstead,  Wm.  Cauffman,  and 
J.   B.   Bowman. 

Jas.  A.  Teegarden  was  chosen  Councilor  and  G.  A  Fries  Vice- 
Councilor  of  the  new  organization.  Of  the  charter  members,  Wm. 
P.  Goodwin  was  recognized  as  a  leader,  being  assigned  to  some 
committee  by  the  first  National  Councilor  in  1870.  The  Council 
was  short-lived,  however,  going  out  of  existence  long  before  the 
institution  of  the  State  Council  in  1873,  but  the  number  has  never 
been  filled  and  is  still  vacant. 

Champion  Council,  No.  2,  while  not  the  "  mother  Council  " 
of  Ohio,  yet  it  should  be  considered  the  "  step-mother  Council "  of 
the  hundreds  of  Councils  to  follow,  was  instituted  April  24,  1871, 
at  Springfield,  being  organized  by  Leroy  N.  Van  Horn,  who,  up  to 
his  death,  February  9,  1907,  was  a  member  of  the  Council  as  well 
as  the  Senior  Past  State  Councilor  of  Ohio.  But  one  charter  mem- 
ber, still  belonging  to  the  Council,  is  living  at  this  writing  (1907), 
Brother  Harlan  A.  Routzahn.  Others,  however,  are  living  but  not 
members  of  the  Order.  Champion  Council,  therefore,  is  the  foun- 
35  545 


546  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

tain  from  which  has  spread  the  stream  of  patriotism  that  has 
penetrated  the  great  State  of  Ohio,  and  although  giving,  it  has 
not  been  impoverished,  since  it  is  among  the  most  prominent  if 
not  the  strongest  Council  in  the  state,  having  about  500  members. 
Champion  Council  was  followed  by  the  institution  of  Wash- 
ington, No.  3,  at  Ironton,  and  Morning  Star,  No.  4,  presumably  in 

1872.  On  January  8,  1&73,  the  State  Council  of  Ohio  was  duly 
instituted  in  regular  form.  From  a  copy  of  a  communication  writ- 
ten for  The  Junior  American  Mechanic  by  D.  P.  Clark,  State 
Council  Secretary,  under  date  of  February,  1873,  posted  in  the 
State  Council  Journal,  we  glean  the  account  of  the  institution  of  the 
State  Council. 

Deputy  National  Councilor  L.  N.  Van  Horn  called  a  meeting 
of  the  Eepresentatives  of  Ohio  to  meet  at  Springfield,  January  8, 

1873,  for  the  purpose  of  instituting  the  State  Council  of  Ohio. 
Brother  Van  Horn  called  the  convention  to  order,  read  the  charter 
and  presided  over  the  preliminary  exercises,  D.  P.  Clark  acting  as 
Secretary.  The  first  order  of  business  was  the  election  of  officers. 
For  each  office,  two  candidates  were  placed  in  nomination,  and  the 
result  of  the  ballot  was  as  follows: 

Jr.  Past  State  Councilor — A.  W.  Cool, 

State  Councilor — L.  N.  VanHorn, 

State  Vice-Councilor — C.   G.   Yeaman, 

State  Council  Secretary — D.  P.  Clark, 

State  Council  Treasurer — E.  A.  Cregar, 

State  Council  Conductor — T.  J.  Monahan, 

State  Council  Warden — L.  King, 

State  Council  Sentinels — Chas.  Davison  and  Geo.  Furniss. 

Junior  Past  State  Councilor  Cool  installed  the  officers  in  regu- 
lar form,  whereupon  the  business  of  the  State  Council  was  trans- 
acted, the  Constitution  and  By-laws  adopted  and  the  body 
adjourned. 

DAYTON,    1874 

The  First  Annual  Session  of  the  State  Council  of  Ohio  was 
held  at  Dayton,  January  20  and  21,  1874,  beginning  at  2  p.m. 
Neither  the  State  Councilor,  State  Vice-Councilor  or  State  Council 
Secretary  were  present.  Messengers  were  sent  several  miles  into 
the  country  to  find  the  Secretary  and  get  the  books,  but  failed  in 
their  mission.     Brother  A.  W.  Cool  presided  and  opened  the  State 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  547 

Council.     The  first  order  of  business  was  the  election  of  officers, 
resulting  as  follows : 

State  Councilor — A.  W.  Cool, 
State    Vice-Councilor — H.    J.    Brusman, 
State  Council  Secretary — Geo.  R.  Furniss, 
State  Council  Treasurer — B.  F.  Guion. 

A  Committee  was  appointed  to  look  after  the  delinquent  State 
Council  Secretary,  D.  P.  Clark,  and  secure  a  settlement.  The 
State  Council  not  having  much  if  any  funds  on  hand,  had  decided 
not  to  send  a  Representative  to  the  National  Council;  whereupon 
the  State  Councilor  appointed  a  proxy  to  represent  the  State  Coun- 
cil at  the  meeting  of  the  National  Body  held  since  the  previous 
session.  This  proxy  must  not  have  been  accepted  by  the  National 
body,  as  a  preamble  setting  forth  the  refusal  of  the  National  Coun- 
cil to  accept  said  proxy,  it  was  resolved, 

"  That  we  look  with  the  utmost  contempt  on  the  action  of  the  afore- 
said Council  in  refusing  to  admit  the  said  proxy  to  a  seat  in  that  body." 

The  semi-annual  session  was  held  in  July  at  which  time  the 
Committee  to  procure  a  settlement  with  the  late  Secretary  Clark, 
reported  the  collection  of  $31.64,  which  amount  had  been  paid 
over  to  the  proper  officers. 

Officers  to  be  elected  at  the  regular  meetings  in  January  were 
nominated  at  the  semi-annual  sessions,  which  custom  continued 
some  years.  Brother  Van  Horn  was  present  and  was  one  of  the 
most  active  spirits  in  the  body,  and  for  years,  until  his  death  in 
1907,  he  was  Senior  Past  State  Councilor;  or,  in  other  words,  the 
"  Nestor  of  Ohio."  

SPRINGFIELD,    1S'75 

In  annual  session,  the  State  Council  met  at  Springfield,  Janu- 
ary 19,  1875,  State  Councilor  Cool  in  the  Chair.  The  State  Coun- 
cil Secretary  referred  to  the  struggles  of  the  year,  stating  how  they 
had  been  "  catching  at  a  straw  like  a  drowning  man,"  but  new  life 
had  come  into  the  Order. 

The  standing  of  the  Order  was  as  follows: 

Number  of  Councils 5 

Number  of  Members 229 

Received  by  Subordinate  Councils ; .  $337.70 

Paid    for   Relief 95.20 

Worth    of    Councils 732.13 


548  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

Twenty-seven  votes  were  cast  in  the  election  for  officers,  the 
result  of  which  vote  was  as  follows: 

State  Councilor — C.  S.  Yeaman, 
State  Vice-Councilor — H.  W.  Lewis, 
State  Council  Secretary — H.  J.  Brusman, 
State  Treasurer — Brother  Householder. 

The  following  were  named  for  National  Eepresentatives : 
L.  N.  Van  Horn  and  A.  W.  Cool.  By  action  of  the  State  Council 
these  Representatives  were  instructed  to  vote  to  strike  out  the 
Fifth  Object  of  the  Order,  which,  at  that  time,  was  a  "  bone  of 
contention  "  in  the  organization. 

The  semi-annual  session  was  held  at  Delaware,  July  20,  1875, 
State  Vice-Councilor  Lewis  in  the  Chair,  with  20  members  in 
attendance.  The  office  of  State  Councilor  was  declared  vacant 
and  H.  W.  Lewis  was  elected  to  fill  out  the  balance  of  the  year. 
T.  J.  Monahan  was  elected  State  Vice-Councilor. 


SPRINGFIELD,   1876 

January  25,  1876,  the  State  Council  convened  in  Third  An- 
nual Session  at  ahove  place,  with  State  Councilor  Lewis  presiding, 
35  members  being  present.  As  per  report  of  the  State  Councilor, 
3  new  Councils  had  been  instituted,  Surprise,  No.  11,  Summit,  No. 
12,  and  Buckle,  No.  13. 

The  State  Councilor  recommended  a  change  of  name  to  "  In- 
dependent Americans  "  and  that  the  National  Representatives  he 
instructed  to  so  advocate  and  vote  for,  which  was  approved  by  the 
State  Body.  The  State  Council  Secretary  reported  an  increased 
interest  in  the  Order,  there  being  in  the  state  322  members. 

The  officers  elected  were  as  follows: 

State  Councilor — J.  L.  Buvinger, 
State  Vice-Councilor — Geo.  R.   Furniss, 
State  Council  Secretary — H.  J.  Brusman, 
State  Council  Treasurer — A.  W.  Cool. 

An  adjourned  session  was  held  on  March  8.  A  vote  of  censure 
was  passed  upon  State  Council  Secretary  Brusman  for  having 
failed  to  be  present  at  a  special  session  set  for  February. 

The  business  of  the  session  was  largely  taken  up  with  the 
consideration  and  adoption  of  the  State  Council  Constitution  and 
a  code  of  By-laws,  which  were  finally  adopted  at  another  special 
session  held  March  10. 


UNITED  AMERICAN   MECHANICS  549 

A  special  session  was  also  held  at  Dayton  to  elect  a  National 
Representative  in  place  of  one  resigned. 

The  semi-annual  session  was  held  at  Urbana,  July  25,  1876. 
For  the  first  time,  the  State  Council  of  Ohio  was  represented  in  the 
National  Council  at  its  session  held  at  Philadelphia,  by  W.  A. 
Martin  and  J.  L.  Buvinger. 

SPRINGFIELD,   1S77 

The  State  Council  convened  at  the  above  place  January  15, 
1877,  with  all  the  principal  officers  absent,  but  their  reports  were 
sent  and  read.  During  the  year  the  Order  found  a  foothold  in 
Cincinnati  by  the  institution  of  Queen  City  Council,  No.  14.  Sub- 
sequently the  Council  "  went  out  of  business."  The  year  showed 
little  or  no  progress,  there  being  but  7  Councils  in  good  standing. 
Only  $94.52  was  received  by  the  State  Body  and  the  disbursements 
reached  $78.47. 

In  the  selection  of  officers,  the  following  were  named : 

State  Councilor — W.  A.  Martin, 
State  Vice-Councilor — Ed.  F.  Cregar, 
State  Council  Secretary — E.  Shinn, 
State  Council  Treasurer — C.  W.  Zell. 

Pursuant  to  call,  a  special  session  was  held  at  Dayton,  May 
30,  1877.  The  purpose  of  the  call  was  to  take  into  account  the 
failure  of  the  late  Secretary  and  Treasurer  to  turn  over  the  funds 
of  the  State  Council,  and  at  the  same  time  make  final  arrangements 
for  receiving  the  National  Council  in  July. 


DAYTON,    1878 


The  State  Council  met  in  annual  session  May  20,  1878,  pur- 
suant to  change  of  time  adopted  at  the  semi-annual  session  in 
August.  The  reports  were  far  from  gratifying,  several  Councils, 
on  the  eve  of  the  meeting  of  the  National  Council  in  July  having 
surrendered  their  charters. 

In  the  election  of  officers,  Ed.  F.  Cregar  was  selected  State 
Councilor  and  J.  W.  Ebel  State  Vice-Councilor,  both  elected  with- 
out opposition.  For  State  Council  Secretary,  there  was  a  vigorous 
contest  between  three  candidates,  no  one  receiving  a  majority  after 
four  ballots,  each  having  five  votes.  A  call  for  nominations  was 
then  made,  resulting  in  a  tie  vote.     The  election  judge  having 


550  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

decided  the  question  by  giving  the  casting  vote  in  favor  of  new 
nominations,  Irving  Bradford  was  declared  elected.  C.  W.  Zell 
was  reelected  State  Council  Treasurer. 


SPRINGFIELD,    1879 

In  annual  session,  the  State  Council  convened  at  Springfield 
on  May  20,  1879,  with  neither  State  Councilor  nor  State  Vice- 
Councilor  present.     Past  State  Councilor  Lewis  presided. 

State  Council  Treasurer  Zell  submitted  a  peculiar  report: 

On  hand  last  session $4.06 

Received  during  year none 

Expenses    none 

Balance  on  hand $4.06 

The  State  Council  Secretary  received  $26.37,  paid  out  $10.75, 
leaving  a  balance  in  his  hands,  $15.62.  He  also  reported  247  mem- 
bers in  the  state. 

The  offices  of  State  Councilor  and  State  Vice-Councilor  be- 
ing declared  vacant,  C.  W.  Mills  and  C.  W.  Zell  were  elected  to 
said  respective  positions.  Irving  Bradford  was  reelected  State 
Council  Secretary  and  H.  W.  Lewis  was  selected  for  State  Council 
Treasurer.  Past  State  Councilor  W.  A.  Martin  presented  a  bill 
for  $20  for  attending  the  National  Council  at  Philadelphia,  which, 
on  motion,  was  laid  on  the  table  for  ten  years. 


DAYTON,   1880 

Again  the  State  Council  convened  in  the  City  of  Dayton, 
May  25,  1880,  State  Councilor  C.  W.  Mills  presiding.  The  mem- 
bership was  reported  at  214. 

The  Ohio  brethren  were  ill-disposed  towards  smoking  in  the 
lodge  room,  judging  from  the  resolution  adopted  and  enacted  into 
a  law  to  fine  any  one  ten  cents  for  smoking  in  the  council  chamber. 

C.  W.  Zell  was  promoted  to  position  of  State  Councilor,  H.  A. 
Siler  was  elected  State  Vice-Councilor,  Irving  Bradford  reelected 
Secretary  and  Jacob  Geiser  was  made  Treasurer  of  the  State 
Council. 


SPRINGFIELD,   1881 

Again  the  time  of  the  meeting  of  the   State   Council  was 
changed,  this  time  to  the  month  of  July,  meeting  at  Springfield, 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  551 

3ii  the  19th,  1881,  State  Councilor  Zell  presiding.  The  member- 
ship increased  from  214  to  241.  The  Subordinate  Councils  re- 
ported amount  raised  from  all  sources,  $1, 159.89 ;  paid  for  relief, 
$208 ;  worth  of  Councils,  $1,433.37. 

The  officers  for  the  ensuing  year  were : 

State  Councilor — H.  A.  Siler, 

State  Vice-Councilor — C.    S.    Hutchison, 

State  Council  Secretary — Irving  Bradford, 

State  Council  Treasurer — A.  Deiter. 


DAYTON,     1882 


At  the  above  place,  on  July  19,  1882,  the  State  Council  con- 
vened in  annual  session  with  State  Councilor  H.  A.  Siler  presiding. 

The  reports  of  the  officers  showed  no  improvement  in  the  con- 
dition of  the  Order,  being  at  a  "  stand  still."  Only  233  members 
were  enrolled  in  the  Subordinate  Councils. 

The  following  were  chosen  to  direct  the  affairs  of  the  Order 
for  the  ensuing  year: 

State  Councilor — C.  S.  Hutchinson, 
State  Vice-Councilor — A.  W.  Hudson, 
State  Council  Secretary — Irving  Bradford, 
State  Council  Treasurer — Ed.  Oldham. 


.^PRIXGFJELD,    1883  :   DAYTON,    1884 

The  time  of  the  holding  of  the  State  session  was  again 
changed,  this  time  to  the  month  of  May,  on  the  8th,  1883,  on  which 
date  the  body  convened  at  Springfield  with  State  Councilor  Hutch- 
inson in  the  Chair. 

The  State  Council  Secretary  reported  the  Order  in  the  State 
of  Ohio  at  its  lowest  ebb  since  the  institution  of  the  State  Council, 
there  having  been  a  loss  in  membership  of  54,  leaving  a  member- 
ship of  170.  One  Council,  No.  17,  had  been  instituted.  A.  W. 
Hudson  was  elected  State  Councilor  and  J.  R.  Arnold,  S.  V.  C. 

State  Councilor  Hudson  presided  at  the  session  held  in  1884. 
The  usual  routine  business  was  transacted  with  nothing  of  much 
general  importance.  A  resolution  to  instruct  the  National  Repre- 
sentatives to  vote  to  strike  out  "  Jr.  0.  U.  A.  M."  and  insert  "  In- 
dependent Order  of  Americans,"  was  adopted.     A  plan  for  an  insur- 


552  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

ance  association  was  presented  and  referred  to  the  Board  of  Officers 
to  adopt  or  reject. 

J.  R.  Arnold  was  elected  State  Councilor  and  Ed.  Oldham  State 
Vice- Councilor. 


CLEVELAND,    1885 

For  the  first  time  in  its  history,  the  State  Council  met  in  the 
City  of  Cleveland,  May  16,  1S'85,  State  Councilor  J.  R.  Arnold 
at  the  helm.  The  State  Councilor,  in  his  report,  stated  his  regret 
that  he  could  only  turn  over  to  his  successor  the  same  number  of 
Councils  he  had  received  from  his  predecessor  and  with  only  a 
membership  of  175. 

The  State  Council  was  opposed  to  striking  out  of  the  article 
on  Eligibility  to  Membership  the  word  "  white  "  and  rejected  a 
resolution  to  that  effect.  A  resolution  memorializing  the  National 
Council  to  submit  to  the  vote  of  the  Order  the  question  of  Change 
of  Name  was  adopted. 

The  result  of  the  election  for  officers  was  as  follows : 

State  Councilor — Ed.  Oldham, 
State  Vice-Councilor — W.   E.  Newell, 
State  Council  Secretary — Irving  Bradford, 
State  Council  Treasurer — C.  D.  Kidd. 


CINCINNATI,   18S6 

The  "  Queen  City  "  of  the  state  received  the  State  Council 
at  its  annual  convocation,  May  18,  1886,  State  Councilor  Oldham 
presiding. 

Again  the  sad  and  regretful  reports  of  the  State  Council  offi- 
cers were  presented  of  there  being  no  progress  in  the  Order.  What 
trying  years  those  must  have  been  for  the  little  band  of  Juniors 
in  the  State  of  Ohio.  But  full  of  pluck  and  a  stick-to-it-ive-ness, 
characteristic  of  the  leaders  in  the  earlier  years  of  the  Order,  they 
"  stood  by  the  stuff  "  and  made  it  possible  for  the  great  State  of 
Ohio  to  become  second  in  the  family  of  states  in  numbers  and 
influence  so  far  as  the  Junior  Order  is  concerned.  All  hail  to  the 
"loyal  band"  of  20  years  ago  (18S7).  Such  are  worthy  of  a 
memorial  tablet  to  be  placed  in  the  headquarters  of  the  organ- 
ization. As  20  years  after  (1907)  the  Order  in  the  state  reached 
its  "  high-watermark  "  in  membership — 28,769 — so  here  in  1886, 
it  reached  its  "  lower-watermark  " — eighty-six. 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  553 

Facing  all  the  discouraging  aspects,  the  State  Council  trans- 
acted its  business  in  a  methodical  manner,  listened  to  the  reports, 
and  elected  a  full  Board  of  Officers  to  look  after  the  Order  for  the 
ensuing  yen-,  which  were  as  follows: 

State  Councilor — W.   E.   Newell, 
State   Vice-Councilor — W.  A.  Gordon, 
State  Council  Secretary — Irving  Bradford, 
State  Council  Treasurer — W.  H.  Klussman. 


SPRINGFIELD,    1887 

Rotating  back  and  forth  with  but  two  or  three  exceptions, 
the  State  Council  held  its  meetings  in  the  cities  of  Springfield  and 
Dayton;  this  year,  1887,  it  held  forth  at  the  former  place  on 
May  10,  State  Councilor  W.  E.  Newell  presiding. 

The  long-looked  for  change  in  the  tide  in  the  Order  of  Ohio 
had  come.  Instead  of  reporting  three  Councils,  the  State  officers 
had  the  gratification  of  reporting  six,  with  a  proportionate  increase 
in  members.  During  these  struggling  years  the  Ohio  brethren 
blamed  the  lack  of  progress  very  largely  to  the  name  of  the  Order — 
its  misleading  terms  "Junior"  and  "Mechanics''  creating  anti- 
patlry  towards  the  organization;  hence  at  several  of  the  sessions 
of  the  State  Body,  resolutions  were  adopted  instructing  the  Na- 
tional Representatives  to  advocate  and  vote  for  a  "  change  of 
name." 

With  hope  rising  and  hearts  stirred,  the  following  officers  were 
installed  for  the  coming  year: 

State  Councilor — W.  A.  Gordon, 
State  Vice-Councilor — W.  H.  Tanner, 
State  Council  Secretary — Irving  Bradford, 
State  Council  Treasurer — C.  D.  Kidd. 

DENNISON,    1888 

In  annual  session,  the  State  Council  convened  at  Dennison, 
May  8,  1888,  presided  over  by  State  Vice-Councilor  Tanner.  Upon 
the  State  Council  roster  of  this  session  appears  for  the  first  time 
the  name  of  one  of  Ohio's  noblest  sons,  known  throughout  the 
national  jurisdiction,  Brother  John  distav  Adolph  Richter,  Past 
National  Councilor  and  at  present  (1907)  Ohio's  efficient  State 
Council  Secretary,  who  represented  his  Council,  No.  12,  of  Can- 
ton, which  he  had  organized  during  the  year,  being  its  Senior  Past 
Councilor. 


554  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

For  fifteen  }rears  the  State  Council  of  Ohio  arjd  the  Order 
itseif  had  struggled  to  maintain  its  very  existence.  The  same 
causes,  common  in  the  jurisdictions  of  Pennsylvania,  Maryland, 
Massachusetts,  and  other  states,  had  retarded  the  advance  of  the 
organization  in  the  "  Buckeye  State."  That  there  were  good  and 
faithful  men  at  the  helm  during  these  trying  years,  none  dare  gain- 
say. That  they  were  zealous,  enthusiastic  and  patriotic,  must  be 
admitted.  But  up  and  down  went  the  Order,  sometimes  up  then 
sometimes  down,  then  down,  down,  down,  until  "  low  watermark  " 
was  reached — three  councils  and  eighty-six  members.  Hope,  how- 
ever, did  not  die.  The  copatriots  of  Ohio  had  faith  in  the  funda- 
mental principles  of  the  Jr.  0.  U.  A.  M.,  believing  that  like  a  cen- 
tury plant,  it  would  shoot  upward  into  bloom. 

That  their  faith  was  well  founded,  is  fully  borne  out  by  the 
marvelous  advance  made  within  the  next  few  years.  The  session 
of  1888  showed  marked  improvement  over  any  previous  year  since 
the  institution  of  the  State  Council.  A  new  fire  seemed  to  descend 
upon  the  altar,  new  life  leaped,  as  by  magic,  from  the  sphinx-like 
organization,  and  on  every  page  of  the  written  proceedings  of  the 
session  Hope  pointed  upward,  while  the  "  slogan  "  of  her  leaders 
was  "  Excelsior."  In  short,  the  session  of  18S8  was  the  beginning 
of  Ohio's  boom  that  has  never  ceased  "  booming  "  from  that  day 
until  now.  Was  it  because  Brother  Bichter  was  there?  Without 
question  he  had  something  to  do  with  the  uplift.  State  Councilor 
Gordon  had  much  to  do  in  stirring  up  enthusiasm  in  the  submission 
of  one  of  the  most  thoughtful  and  suggestful  reports  ever  presented 
at  a  previous  session  of  the  State  Body. 

During  the  year  a  Council  had  been  organized  at  Steubenville, 
and  by  request,  Past  State  Councilor  J.  F.  Koehnline,  of  Pennsyl 
vania,  instituted  same.     Councils  also  were  instituted  at  Zanesville, 
Leetonia,  Canton,  Wellsville,  East  Liverpool,  and  in  other  princi- 
pal towns  of  the  state. 

The  standing  of  the  Order  at  the  beginning  of  the  advance 
was  as  follows: 

Number    of   Councils 13 

Number   of  Members    (estimated) 400 

Receipts  of  Subordinate  Councils $3,205.90 

Paid  for  Relief 863.40 

Worth  of  Councils 2,297.86 

Receipts  of  State  Council $123.46 

Disbursements    109.54 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  553 

Two  resolutions  were  adopted: 

1.  Requesting  the  political  parties,  Democrat  and  Republican,  to 
insert  a  plank  in  their  platforms  committing  the  party  to  the  enactment 
of  laws  restricting  immigration. 

2.  Endorsing  Mayor  Hewitt,  of  New  York  City,  in  his  brave  stand 
that  none  other  than  the  American  Flag  should  be  hoisted  over  the  city 
buildings. 

Death  invaded  the  ranks  of  the  State  Council  during  the  year 
in  the  removal  of  Junior  Past  State  Councilor  W.  E.  Newell, 
Oct.  19,  1887.  He  was  a  true  soldier  in  the  Junior  army  and 
nobly  stood  for  its  principles.  Brother  Newell  was  one  among  the 
first  Juniors  in  the  state,  having  joined  the  Order  July  1,  1873,  and 
served  as  State  Councilor  in  1886-188?. 

The  officers  selected  were  the  following: 

State  Councilor — Will.  H.  Tanner, 
State  Vice-Councilor— W.   E.  Loller, 
State  Council  Secretary — J.  P.  Branin, 
State  Council  Treasurer — Irving  Bradford. 

A  special  session  was  held  November  28,  1888,  at  Zanesville, 
the  purpose  of  the  call  being  to  consider  some  resolutions  relative 
to  amendments  of  the  laws  and  settle  some  grievances.  At  this 
session  appears  the  name  of  another  brother,  who,  in  subsequent 
years  was  to  "  father  "  a  movement  that  has  crowned  the  Order  with 
a  halo  of  glory — Brother  J.  H.  Zimmerman,  "  father  of  the  Orphans' 
Home  " ;  and  from  the  very  first  he  took  an  active  interest  in  the 
affairs  of  the  Order  and  is  one  of  Ohio's  noblest  sons.  However, 
as  with  Brother  Eichter,  Brother  Zimmerman  was  a  Pennsylvanian, 
he  having  traveled  through  the  "camp"  of  Newport  Council.  No. 
106,  of  Newport,  Pa. 

A  large  number  of  proposed  changes  of  the  laws  were  sub- 
mitted and,  under  the  rules,  were  laid  over  until  the  regular  session. 
Charges  were  brought  against  State  Councilor  Tanner,  and  having 
been  referred  to  a  Committee,  that  Committee  subsequently  in  the 
session  submitted  their  report,  recommending  that  he  be  removed 
from  the  office  he  was  holding,  which  report  was  adopted;  where- 
upon the  seat  of  the  State  Councilor  was  declared  vacant.  State 
Vice-Councilor  W.  E.  Loller  was  elected  to  fill  out  the  unexpired 
term,  and  E.  E.  Hungerford  was  elected  State  Vice-Councilor. 
There  being  a  vacancy  of  a  Representative  to  the  National  Council, 
Brother  J.  G.  A.  Eichter  was  selected  to  take  the  place,  for  a  term 
of  four  years. 


556  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

DAYTON,   1889 

The  State  Council,  in  Seventeenth  Annual  Session,  convened 
May  14,  1889,  at  the  City  of  Dayton,  State  Councilor  Loller  in  the 
Chair.  The  attendance  was  large  and  the  interest  good.  C.  E. 
Tinkler,  who  has  for  years  been  and  is  now,  an  active  spirit  in  the 
Order,  was  a  representative;  so  was  L.  E.  Stone,  both  of  whom  sub- 
sequently were  honored  by  being  placed  in  the  highest  position  in 
the  State  Body. 

The  State  Councilor,  in  his  report,  could  say  what  not  one  of 
the  16  former  State  Councilors  could  state,  that  "  the  past  year  has 
witnessed  a  most  remarkable  increase  in  our  Order/'  From  a 
membership  of  400  with  13  Councils  one  year  previous,  the  State 
of  Ohio  at  this  session  could  boast  of  SI  Councils  and  2,112  mem- 
bers. Expressive  of  a  Christian  sentiment,  the  State  Councilor 
was  led  to  say :  "  Surely  the  Supreme  Grand  Councilor  above  has 
seen  fit  to  bless  us  in  our  work."  It  might  be  proper  to  state  that 
one  reason  of  the  great  advance  was  the  premium  paid  by  the  Na- 
tional Council  for  the  organization  of  new  Councils.  "  Providence 
always  helps  those  who  help  themselves." 

The  proposed  amendments  to  the  code  of  laws  laid  over  from 
the  special  sessnon  were  taken  up  and  considered,  many  changes 
being  made:  (1)  Each  Council  required  to  elect  but  one  Eepresen- 
tative  to  the  State  Council,  to  hold  his  office  for  two  years.  (2) 
Councils  required  to  report  to  the  State  Council  Secretary  semi- 
annually. (3)  The  State  Council  to  pay  Officers  and  Eepresenta- 
tives  mileage  at  the  rate  of  six  cents  one  way  and  $3  per  day  for  two 
days.  (4)  A  Council  with  a  membership  of  over  200  to  elect  two 
Representatives  for  two  years. 

For  State  Councilor,  E.  E.  Hungerford  was  elected;  State 
Vice-Councilor,  J.  A.  Saulters;  State  Council  Secretary,  J.  P. 
Branin;  State  Council  Treasurer,  D.  J.  Smith.  Brother  J.  A. 
Zimmerman  was  elected  National  Eepresentative. 


canton,  1890 


Canton  opened  its  hospitable  doors  to  the  State  Body,  May  13, 
J  890,  State  Councilor  Hungerford  presiding.  State  Council  Secre- 
tary Branin  having  been  removed  from  his  office  by  the  Board  of 
Officers  owing  to  irregularities  in  keeping  his  books,  Past  State 
Councilor  Geo.  O.  Eoberts  had  been  elected  to  fill  out  his  term. 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  557 

The  Order  during  the  year  had  increased,  as  stated  by  the 
State  Councilor,  "  beyond  all  human  prognostications."  From  a 
membership  of  2,112  and  37  Councils,  the  Order  in  the  state  had 
reached  its  one  hundredth  Council,  by  the  institution  of  No.  100 
a  few  days  previous  to  the  session,  and  6,041  members  were  found 
on  the  rolls  of  the  Subordinate  Councils.  In  1887  there  were  7 
Councils  and  407  members;  and  in  comparison  with  the  report  of 
3890  the  great  progress  made  stands  more  marked. 

The  Ohio  brethren  were  sound  on  the  temperance  question, 
a  resolution  having  been  adopted  forbidding  the  selling  of  intoxi- 
cants, or  cause  it  to  be  sold,  at  any  picnic  or  entertainment  held 
by  any  Council  under  forfeiture  of  its  charter. 

The  following  recommendations  to  be  submitted  to  the  Na- 
tional Council  were  adopted : 

1.  To  strike  out  the  word  "white"  in  article  on  Eligibility  to 
Membership. 

2.  Change  name  of  the  Order  by  striking  out  "  Junior "  and 
"  Mechanic." 

3.  The  establishment  of  a  code  of  greeting  passwords,  said  passwords 
to  consist  of  two  greeting  sentences  with  cotemporary  answers. 

The  election  of  officers  resulted  as  follows: 

*  State  Councilor — John  A.  Saulters, 
State  Vice-Councilor — J.  G.  A.  Richtei, 
State  Council  Secretary — J.  W.  Hoagland, 
State  Council  Treasurer — W.  A.  Gordon. 


FINDLAY,  1891 

Findlay,  May  12,  1891,  received  the  State  Council  in  annual 
session  with  State  Councilor  Saulters  presiding. 

Applications  for  charters  had  been  granted  from  No.  101  to 
153,  five  Councils,  however,  of  that  number  had  gone  to  the  defunct 
pile.  There  was  an  approximate  membership,  March  31,  1891, 
of  10,000. 

The  Election  Board  reported  as  follows: 

State  Councilor — J.  G.  A.  Richter, 

State   Vice-Councilor — G.    E.    Coleman, 

State  Council  Secretary — G.  E.  Buchmun    (on  fourth  ballot), 

State  Council  Treasurer — W.  A.  Gordon. 

The  presence  of  Miss  Lillian  Burkhart  and  the  reciting  of 
her  patriotic  poems  created  much  enthusiasm.  A  souvenir  was 
presented  her  by  the  State  Council.     Miss  Burkhart  during  those 


558  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

years  was  much  in  demand  at  Junior  meetings,  and  her  recitations 
were  in  the  line  of  Patriotism  and  on  the  Objects  of  the  Order. 

This  was  the  session  that  honored  itself,  and  at  the  same  time 
honored  the  great  State  of  Ohio,  in  adopting  the  following,  the 
greatest  of  all  resolutions  ever  passed  by  a  State  Council — tbe 
"Original  Orphans'  Home  Resolution": 

"  Findlay,  Ohio,  May  13,  1891. 

"  To  the  Officers  and  Members  of  the  State  Council  of  Ohio,  Jr.  0.  U.  A.  M. 
"  Dear  Sirs  and  Brothers. — 

"  Whereas,  We  believe  that  the  education  and  protection  of  the 
orphan  children  of  deceased  Brothers  should  be  one  of  the  principal  objects 
of  our  Order,  and  that  the  founding  and  maintenance  of  a  college  where 
the  higher  branches  of  education  shall  be  taught,  and  the  principles  of 
American  Patriotism  and  Virtue  shall  prevail,  be  it 

"  Resolved,  That  our  Representatives  to  the  National  Council  be 
instructed  to  present  this  resolution  to  that  body  and  that  they  use  their 
best  efforts  for  its  adoption.  „  Chas    Lawkence.» 

The  author  of  this  resolution  was  present  at  this  session  as  a 
Representative  of  Freedom  Council,  No.  63,  of  Mansfield,  in  which 
Council  the  first  suggestion  was  made.  Unknown  outside  of  his 
own  State  Council,  and  at  present  a  member  of  another  jurisdiction, 
yet  by  this  one  act  Brother  Lawrence  has  carved  a  name  on  material 
more  enduring  than  granite  or  marble,  that  of  fleshly  hearts  of  the 
brotherhood  that  supports  and  maintains  the  Orphans'  Home. 
Therefore  very  befitting  was  the  act  of  the  State  Council  of  Ohio 
in  having  placed  upon  the  wall  of  the  reception  room  of  the  first 
cottage  erected  a  life-size  portrait  of  Brother  Lawrence.  In  a  plate 
in  another  place  in  this  volume  can  be  seen  the  portrait  along  with 
that  of  Brother  J.  H.  Zimmerman,  the  "  father  of  the  Home."  A 
sketch  and  a  cut  also  have  found  a  place  in  the  section  "  Who  is 
Who  in  the  Order." 

COLUMBUS,  1892 

The  Capital  City  of  the  state  entertained  the  State  Council 
May  10-12,  1892,  with  Brother  J.  G.  A.  Richter,  State  Councilor, 
presiding. 

The  administration  of  State  Councilor  Richter  was  one  of 
unparalleled  success,  showing  the  greatest  increase  in  Councils 
chartered  and  members  enrolled  ever  known  in  the  history  of  the 
Order  in  Ohio,  either  previous  to  that  time  or  subsequent.  Like 
an  ocean  tide,  patriotism  and  Junior  sentiment  swept  out  over  the 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  559 

state  reaching  city,  town  and  hamlet  alike,  throwing  its  benign 
influence  upon  the  people  of  the  Commonwealth  and  awakening 
in  the  public  mind  the  fact  that  the  Jr.  0.  U.  A.  M.  was  "  here  to 
stay/' 

The  attendance  at  the  session  was  large  and  the  volume  of 
business  transacted,  as  compared  with  the  annual  sessions  for  two 
decades,  was  on  a  parallel  with  Ohio's  marvelous  growth,  and  right 
royally  did  "  our  John  "  preside  over  the  State  Body. 

As  per  resolution  adopted  at  the  previous  session,  that  no 
officer  or  Eepresentative  should  receive  his  per  diem  for  the  day 
unless  present,  the  State  Council  Secretary  kept  and  published  in 
the  proceedings  the  exact  attendance  each  day  of  each  Represen- 
tative and  officer  of  the  body,  254  answering  to  roll-call. 

The  story  of  the  year,  as  told  by  Brother  Eichter,  was  inspir- 
ing He  referred  to  the  wonderful  change  of  sentiment  awakened 
by  the  "  flag  movement "  and  the  public  demonstrations  under  the 
direction  of  the  Order.  When  Brother  Eichter  assumed  charge  one 
year  previous,  there  were  153  Councils  located  in  35  counties  of  the 
state.  During  the  year,  125  new  Councils  were  planted  and  18 
more  counties  of  the  state  had  been  entered  by  the  advancing  hosts. 
The  campaign  in  disseminating  information  as  to  the  purpose  and 
principles  of  the  organization  was  carried  on  from  the  office  of  the 
State  Councilor,  50,000  circulars  having  been  sent  forth  on  their 
mission  of  imparting  Junior  education,  while  hundreds  of  personal 
letters  were  sent  to  places  where  the  Order  had  no  existence.  The 
State  Councilor  was  ably  assisted  by  his  associates  in  office  and 
Deputy  State  Councilors,  to  whom  he  gave  much  of  the  credit  for 
the  growth  of  the  Order.  The  office  work  of  the  State  Councilor 
was  enormous;  besides  that  enumerated  above,  more  than  4.000 
letters  were  written  in  answers  to  inquiries  on  almost  every  phase 
of  the  organization  and  its  laws. 

Pursuant  to  the  action  of  previous  session,  the  proceedings, 
formerly  kept  in  journal  form,  were  ordered  to  be  printed  in 
pamphlet  form,  the  first  to  be  published  being  the  minutes  of  the 
session  of  1891,  which  were  distributed  at  the  session  of  1892. 
The  earlier  records  of  the  State  Council  were,  at  this  time,  lost, 
but  on  recommendation  of  State  Councilor  Eichter,  a  coiumittee 
was  appointed  to  make  search  for  same,  and,  happily,  the  old  record 
book  was  found,  and  to  Brother  Eichter  the  Order  in  Ohio  is  in- 
debted for  the  preservation  of  the  records.  The  writer  was  granted 
the  privilege  of  examining  same  in  the  preparation  of  the  synopsis 
for  this  chapter. 


560  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

The  State  Council  Secretary,  Brother  Bliss,  having  been  but 
a  short  time  in  charge  of  the  office,  was  unable  to  give  a  full  report, 
he  having  found  the  affairs  connected  with  the  business  of  the  State 
Council  in  bad  shape.  Deducting  the  Councils  not  reporting  or 
defunct,  the  report  of  the  number  of  Councils  and  membership  was 
given  as  follows: 

Number  of  Councils 252 

Number  of  Members (gain  5,567 )         15,567 

Worth  of  Councils $64,758.32 

The  following  resolution  was  certainly  merited,  but  the 
attitude  of  the  State  Councilor  indicates  a  type  of  manhood  not 
usually  found  in  any  organization: 

"  Recognizing  the  efficiency  of  our  State  Councilor,  Brother  J .  G.  A. 
Richter,  and  his  untiring  energy  and  devotion  to  our  noble  Order,  we  feel 
it  but  just  that  this  State  Council  donate  to  our  worthy  brother  $200  in 
slight  recognition  of  the  services  rendered." 

A  motion  to  accept  was  made,  when  Brother  Eichter  spoke  as 
follows : 

"  Brothers,  I  thank  you  most  sincerely  for  this  compliment.  When  I 
was  elected  to  this  office,  it  was  with  the  understanding  that  I  would 
receive  no  pay  for  my  services.  I  have  simply  tried  to  do  my  duty,  and 
shall  most  respectfully  decline  any  compensation  for  same  and  earnestly 
request  that  the  resolution  be  defeated." 

A  motion  to  strike  out  "  $200  "  and  insert  "  a  State  Councilor's 
emblem"  was  adopted.  Following  this,  a  resolution  was  adopted 
unanimously  instructing  the  Representatives  to  the  National  Coun- 
cil to  present  the  name  of  Brother  Eichter  as  a  candidate  for  Na- 
tional Vice-Councilor.  A  resolution  was  also  adopted  instructing 
the  National  Representatives  to  use  all  honorable  means  to  have 
the  Daughters  of  America  made  the  auxiliary  to  the  Jr.  O.  TJ.  A.  M. 

In  the  closing  remarks  of  Brother  Richter,  he  made  a  most 
remarkable  statement.  That  at  this  session  with  their  253  Councils 
in  the  state,  Toledo,  on  the  north  and  Cincinnati  in  the  south, 
did  not  have  a  single  Council.  Subsequent  history  has  shown,  how- 
ever, the  latter  city  to  be  a  power  in  Juniorism. 

The  session  closed  with  the  following  officers  elected  and  in- 
stalled for  the  ensuing  year: 

State  Councilor — Geo.  E.  Coleman  (237  votes), 
State  Vice-Councilor — L.  V.  Stone    (107  votes  on  third  ballot), 
State  Council  Secretary — J.  A.  Bliss  (109  votes  on  second  ballot), 
State  Council  Treasurer — W.  A.  Gordon  (237  votes). 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  561 

YOUNGSTOWN,   1893 

The  Twenty-first  Annual  Session  of  the  State  Council  ("li- 
vened in  the  City  of  Youngstown,  May  9,  1893,  State  Councilor 
Coleman  presiding.  During  the  year  a  Council  each  in  Toledo 
and  Cincinnati  had  been  instituted,  which  cities  a  year  previous  had 
no  organization.  Forty-one  new  Councils  had  been  chartered  and 
11  rechartered,  while  17  were  dissolved. 

A  resolution  was  offered  requesting  the  National  Council  to 
so  amend  the  laws  on  Eligibility  to  Membership  that  any  "  foreign- 
born  white  citizen  "  who  comes  to  this  country  under  the  age  of  14 
years  might  become  a  member  of  the  Order ;  and  any  one  coming 
between  the  ages  of  16  and  40  years  and  has  been  a  resident  16 
years  can  become  a  member  of  the  Jr.  O  TJ.  A.  M.  The  State  Coun- 
cilor, however,  declared  the  resolution  out  of  order. 

A  peculiar  resolution  was  submitted,  but  it  was  not  ap- 
proved by  the  Committee  on  Resolutions,  asking  for  the  election  of 
three  State  Vice-Councilors,  one  from  each  of  the  three  districts 
of  the  state,  and  the  one  bringing  in  the  best  record  for  the  year 
to  be  elected  the  State  Councilor  for  the  ensuing  year. 

The  Election  Board  reported  the  following  to  have  been 
elected  to  the  four  principal  offices: 

State  Councilor — L.  V.  Stone, 

State  Vice-Councilor — Dr.  L.  H.  Wenner, 

State  Council  Secretary — J.  A.  Bliss, 

State  Council  Treasurer — W.  A.  Gordon. 

Number  of  Councils  Dec.  31,  1892 285 

Number  of  Members.  Dec.  31,  1892 18,393 

HAMILTON,    1894 

State  Councilor  Stone  presided  at  the  Twenty-second  Annual 
Session  of  the  State  Council,  held  May  8-10,  1894,  at  Hamilton. 

Progress  was  not  so  marked  as  in  previous  years,  in  fact  a 
loss  occurred,  but  it  was  not  due  to  the  indifference  of  the  officers 
of  the  State  Body  or  inefficiency,  but  owing  to  the  great  financial 
depression  that  was  at  that  time  sweeping  over  the  entire  nation, 
throwing  thousands  of  men  out  of  employment,  thereby  depleting 
the  Councils  of  members  who  were  unable  to  meet  their  dues,  and 
in  many  ways  retarding  the  advance  of  the  Order.  While  24  new 
Councils  had  been  instituted,  42  went  out  of  existence,  leaving 
268  in  the  state,  December  31,  1893,  and  a  membership  of  16,992, 
a  loss  of  1,401.  A  later  report  by  Counties  and  Districts  dated 
March  31,  1894,  showed  still  greater  decrease,  so  great  was  the 
36 


562  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

financial  stress  in  Ohio,  leaving  but  241  Councils  that  had  reported 
and  29  that  had  failed  to  submit  their  report,  while  41  were  marked 
defunct;  and  at  the  same  time  the  membership  had  been  reduced 
to  15,650.  These  figures  did  not  include  the  estimated  membership 
of  the  Councils  not  reporting  which  would  have  materially  increased 
the  number  of  members,  which  shows  how  carefully  State  Council 
Secretary  Bliss  compounded  his  report  as  to  actual  conditions. 
Another  great  cause  of  loss,  common  with  all  states,  was  the  haste 
and  lack  of  care  in  the  organization  of  Councils  during  the  "  boom  " 
— many  of  them  scarcely  surviving  a  year  after  their  institution, 
while  others  were  wrongly  manned  and  controlled  by  inefficient 
leaders.  Another  cause,  especially  true  of  Ohio,  for  the  retrograde 
movement,  was  the  opposition  of  the  Soman  Catholic  Church  and 
the  fear  of  "boycott"  on  the  part  of  Americans.  Still  another 
cause,  so  common,  was  the  reckless  disregard  in  the  selection  of 
members,  very  often  selected  without  regard  to  moral  character  or 
influence,  who  proved  recreant  to  their  obligation  by  voting  and 
working  with  the  enemies  of  American  institutions,  thereby  dis- 
gusting loyal  Americans  which  drove  or  kept  them  out  of  the  Order. 
As  to  some  of  the  causes  that  retarded  the  Order  in  Ohio,  Brother 
Bliss  fully  presented  them  in  his  report. 

State  Councilor  Stone  was  a  staunch  friend  of  the  Orphans' 
Home  project  and  delivered  himself  thusly : 

"  There  is  now  before  the  Order  probably  the  grandest  and  most 
gigantic  movement  in  our  history,  a  movement  that  should  interest  every 
member,  especially  those  in  Ohio;  I  refer  to  the  proposed  establishing  of 
a  home  where  the  orphans  of  deceased  members  may  be  assembled  and 
reared  and  so  educated  as  to  make  upright  citizens.  .  .  .  Bro.  J.  H. 
Zimmerman  of  Plain  City,  Ohio,  who  already  holds  the  honor  of  being 
the  leader  in  this  grand  movement,  and  is  secretary  of  the  committee, 
informs  me  that  much  aid  has  been  given.  .  .  .  The  idea  of  establishing 
the  proposed  home  was  considered  in  this  State  Council,  and  Bro.  Zimmer- 
man, as  the  Representative  of  this  State  Council,  has  untiringly  and 
unceasingly  pushed  the  movement  until  it  has  arrived  at  the  point  where 
the  Order  must  come  to  his  aid,  not  only  to  support  him  in  the  work,  but 
to  maintain  our  honor,  as  the  originator  and  instigator  of  this  noble 
movement." 

The  Election  Board  reported  as  follows: 

State  Councilor — Dr.  H.  L.  Wenner   (unanimous;  224  votes), 
State  Vice-Councilor — D.  F.  Anderson, 
State  Council  Secretary — J.  A.  Bliss, 
State  Council  Treasurer — W.  A.  Gordon. 


UNITED  AMERICAN    MECHANICS  56.-? 

MANSFIELD,    1895 

The  Twenty-third  Annual  Session  of  the  State  Body  was  held 
at  Mansfield,  May  14,  1895,  State  Councilor  Dr.  H.  L.  Wermer 
presiding. 

A  hard  and  depressing  year  had  confronted  Dr.  Wenner  in 
his  great  efforts  to  carry  forward  the  cause  of  Juniorism  in  the 
state.  Though  the  "  dark  clouds  of  adversity  hung  heavy  and 
low/'  yet  to  the  eye  of  faith  and  with  a  heart  all  aglow  with  hope, 
Dr.  Wenner  could  add  that  "  already  great  rifts  are  seen  through 
the  brightness  of  the  coming  glory  that  shines  with  all  the  longed- 
for  splendor."  However,  18  new  Councils  were  planted  during  the 
year. 

State  Councilor  Wenner,  who,  from  the  inception  as  well  as 
all  through  the  history  of  the  National  Orphans'  Home,  has  been 
its  ablest  defender,  warmest  supporter  and  most  enthusiastic  advo- 
cate, in  a  ringing  appeal  sent  forth  to  the  Councils  of  the  state, 
brought  the  subject  of  the  Home  close  to  the  hearts  of  the  members 
of  the  Order,  pleading  for  50  cents  per  capita  as  per  call  of  the  Na- 
tional Councilor.  Dr.  Wenner  especially  impressed  upon  the  mem- 
bers of  his  state  the  necessity  of  offering  every  inducement  to  secure 
the  location  of  the  Home  within  the  confines  of  Ohio,  and  to  that 
end  suggested  an  additional  per  capita  of  $1  per  member  to  be 
contributed.  Closing  his  strong  appeal  that  sent  a  thrill  of  inspir- 
ation throughout  the  Order  in  his  state,  Dr.  Wenner  says : 

"  Brothers  of  Ohio,  posterity  will  record  our  negligence  or  resound 
with  your  praises.  Which  shall  it  be?  Let  a  mighty  patriotic  shout  go  up 
from  the  20,000  in  Ohio  that  shall  echo  to  the  oceans:  America,  Ohio  and 
our  Order  forever." 

Ohio's  part  in  making  the  Orphans'  Home  a  possibility,  her 
offerings  as  a  whole,  and  the  princely  gift  of  Young  America  Coun- 
cil, No.  136,  under  Dr.  Wenner's  superb  leadership,  has  been  told 
in  another  place. 

Of  the  16  recommendations  of  Dr.  Wenner,  three  are  worthy 
of  note: 

3.  "That  the  Orphans'  Home,  no  matter  where  located  (italics  ours) 
be  given  moral  and  financial  support  in  every  Council  in  the  state,  and 
that  Ohio's  Representatives  to  the  National  Council  be  instructed  to  use 
all  honorable  means  to  secure  the  location  of  the  Home  at  Tiffin. 

5.  "  That  the  members  of  the  Order  in  Ohio,  through  their  Repre- 
sentatives, pledge  an  additional  50  cents,  or  $1.00  per  member  on  the  50 
cent  call  of  the  National  Councilor  to  assist  Tiffin  in  locating  the  Home  in 


564  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

Ohio.     Such  is  being  done  now  by  Carlisle,  Pa.,  and  something  must  be 
done  immediately. 

8.  "  That  the  Sunday  preceding  or  succeeding  July  4,  of  each  year 
be  known  and  observed  by  Ohio's  Councils  as  Patriotic  Sunday,  and  sermons 
or  lectures  on  patriotism  and  kindred  subjects  be  listened  to  that  day." 

The  above  recommendations  were  approved  by  the  Committee 
and  concurred  in  by  the  State  Council,  with  the  exception  of  No.  5, 
which  provoked  quite  an  animated  discussion,  and,  on  motion,  the 
approval  of  the  Committee  was  denied. 

The  long  list  of  defunct  and  consolidated  Councils  as  well  as 
those  not  reporting,  showed  that  Ohio  had  learned  the  bitter  lesson 
of  allowing  Councils  to  be  organized  for  "  revenue  only,"  when  the 
premium  was  $35.  At  this  date  61  Councils  out  of  331  stood 
defunct. 

The  Committee  into  whose  hands  the  State  Councilor's  report 
was  placed  for  consideration,  as  was  the  custom  with  all  officers' 
reports,  recommended  that  Brother  J.  H.  Zimmerman  be  elected 
National  Representative  by  acclamation,  as  a  tribute  of  respect  for 
his  arduous  labors  in  the  interest  of  the  Orphans'  Home.  The 
State  Councilor,  however,  ruled  the  recommendation  out  of  order, 
as  the  law  required  that  all  officers  shall  be  elected  by  ballot.  In 
lieu  of  the  recommendation,  however,  a  rising  vote  of  thanks  was 
tendered  Brother  Zimmerman,  with  three  cheers  and  a  tiger. 

In  the  election  of  officers  the  total  vote  was  218,  resulting  as 
follows : 

State  Councilor — Dr.  H.  L.  Wenner    (reelected), 
State  Vice-Councilor — Dr.  L.  A.   Perce. 

Number  of  Councils  Dec.  31,  1894 261 

Number   of   Members,   Dec.    31,    1894 14,264 

By  a  dispensation  granted  by  National  Councilor  Richter,  the 
State  Council  Secretary  was  elected  at  this  session  for  five  years, 
the  law  relative  thereto  to  be  amended  at  the  next  session.  On 
motion,  the  clerk  of  the  Election  Board  cast  the  vote  of  the  State 
Council  for  J.  A.  Bliss  for  State  Council  Secretary,  W.  A.  Gordon 
State  Council  Treasurer  and  J.  H.  Zimmerman  to  be  National 
Representative. 

The  following  amendment  to  the  Subordinate  Council  Con- 
stitution precipitated  a  very  lively  debate;  was  laid  on  the  table, 
reconsidered,  a  motion  again  to  lay  on  the  table  was  made,  but 
Mas  lost  and  finally  was  adopted  by  a  vote  of  124  to  69 : 

"  Section  3.  No  member  shall  be  installed  into  the  office  of  Councilor 
or  Vice  Councilor  who  cannot  give  the  ritualistic  work  of  the  office  to 
which  he  has  been  elected  and  the  unwritten  work  of  the  Order." 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  565 

In  glancing  over  the  list  of  Representatives  in  attendance  at 
this  session,  we  note  the  names  of  some  who  have  served  the  Order 
with  distinction:  Dr.  Wenner,  Dr.  Perce,  J.  H.  Zimmerman,  C.  E. 
Tinkler,  D.  F.  Anderson,  L.  V.  Stone,  J.  A.  Bliss  and  W.  A.  Gor- 
don for  sometime  had  been  "  in  the  harness  " ;  but  two  new  brothers 
appeared  on  the  scene  at  this  session  who  are  known  throughout 
the  national  jurisdiction,  honored  and  respected,  Hon.  Smith  W. 
Bennett  and  D.  B.  McDonald,  the  former  at  present  (1907)  Chief 
Counsel  for  the  National  Council  and  the  latter  brother  a  member 
of  the  Board  of  Trustees  of  the  National  Orphans'  Home  and 
its  President. 


CHAPTER    XXXII 

PROCEEDINGS  OF  STATE  COUNCILS  (Continued; 

ohio — (Concluded) 

STATE  Councilor  Dr.  H.  L.  Wenner  called  the  State  Council 
to  order  at  its  Twenty-fourth  Annual  Session,  held  at  Spring- 
field, September  8,  1896.  A  large  number  of  new  Representatives 
were  obligated  and  for  the  first  time  admitted  to  the  State  Council. 
To  Dr.  Wenner  belongs  the  distinguished  honor  of  being  the  only 
State  Councilor  to  serve  the  State  of  Ohio  twice  in  succession.  His 
zeal  and  devotion  to  the  principles  of  the  Order  has  placed  him  in 
the  front  rank  of  Ohio's  Juniors. 

This  was  the  "  long  year/'  the  revised  laws  having  changed  the 
time  of  the  meeting  of  the  State  Council  from  May  to  September, 
thereby  making  this  official  year  16  months.  The  "  hard  times  " 
had  "  weeded  out "  of  the  Order  much  that  was  indifferent,  and 
while  it  left  the  organization  in  the  state  not  so  strong  numerically, 
in  standing  and  in  the  staunch  and  stable  quality  of  its  membership, 
it  never  stood  higher. 

It  is  a  striking  coincidence  that  the  fortunes  of  the  National 
Orphans'  Home  were  shaped  under  the  administration  of  two  Ohio 
brothers ;  first  in  the  creation  of  the  Home  under  Brother  J.  G.  A. 
Richter  as  National  Councilor,  and  secondly,  the  location  of  the 
institution  at  Tiffin,  Ohio,  under  the  administration  of  Dr.  H.  L. 
Wenner  as  State  Councilor.  It  was  during  Dr.  Wenner's  second 
year  that  the  location  of  the  Home  was  determined,  the  corner- 
stone of  the  first  cottage  laid  and  the  election  of  an  Ohio  brother, 
J.  H.  Zimmerman,  as  Superintendent,  who  received  the  first  orphans 
in  the  original  farm  house.  To  Dr.  Wenner,  more  than  to  any 
other,  belongs  the  credit  of  securing  the  location  of  the  Home  with- 
in the  boundaries  of  Ohio  and  contiguous  to  his  own  home  city. 
The  munificent  proposition  submitted  to  the  Committee  on  Or- 
phans' Home  at  Pittsburg,  in  February,  1S9 5,  by  Dr.  Wenner,  in 
behalf  of  Young  America  Council,  No.  136,  of  Tiffin,  overshadowed 
all  other  propositions  submitted,  hence  it  was  with  but  little  diffi- 
culty that  the  Committee  decided  on  Tiffin,  Ohio,  as  having  offered 
the  greatest  inducement  as  well  as  most  desirable  location  for  the 
National  Orphans  Home. 

A  further  pledge  was  made  to  the  Orphans'  Home  Committee, 
as  stated  elsewhere  by  Dr.  Wenner,  that  Ohio  was  good  for  one 
566 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  567 

dollar  per  capita  in  addition  to  Young  America's  princely  offering, 
provided  the  Home  was  located  at  Tiffin.  Relative  to  the  location 
of  the  Home,  the  Committee  on  Orphans'  Home  in  their  report  to 
the  National  Council  at  Denver,  in  1896,  made  the  following  state- 
ment, already  quoted  under  the  proper  head : 

"  This  niagniiicent  location  of  farm  is  given  to  the  Order  abso- 
lutely free.  It  don't  cost  us  a  single  penny,  but  it  does  cost  Young 
America  Council,  No.  136,  of  Tiffin,  Ohio,  the  sum  of  twenty-nine  thou- 
sand, five  hundred  dollars,  spot  cash;  and  then  the  Council  deeds  it  over 
to  us  for,  and  in  consideration  that  we  take  it.  What  an  enormous  dona- 
tion this  for  a  single  Council  and  a  Council  that  is  not  yet  five  years 
old." 

Certainly  it  must  be  to  Dr.  Wenner  a  pleasing  thought,  that 
during  his  terms  as  State  Councilor  of  Ohio,  that  the  greatest  and 
noblest  achievement  of  the  Order  was  consummated — a  work  that 
will  live  on  when  the  Doctor  shall  have  passed  in  through  the  Eter- 
nal Gates. 

Pursuant  to  the  pledge  of  Ohio  to  pay  one  dollar  per  capita 
towards  the  Home,  providing  it  was  located  in  the  state,  a  tabulated 
report  was  submitted  by  the  State  Councilor  showing  the  number 
of  members  of  each  Council  and  the  amount  paid  and  the  amount 
still  due,  as  per  proposition  submitted  at  the  Omaha  session  of 
the  National  Council  in  1895. 

The  Order  in  the  state  was  still  in  the  throes  of  "  hard  times," 
hence  the  16  months  had  seen  many  Councils  surrender  their  char- 
ters, 62  having  yielded  to  the  pressure  since  the  last  session  of  the 
State  Body,  entailing  a  loss  alone  of  1,407  members.  However,  42 
new  Councils  had  been  instituted  and  several  reorganized,  and  there 
was  an  upward  tide  running. 

A  new  feature  had  been  introduced  into  the  State  Council, 
by  the  enactment  of  a  law  at  the  previous  session,  requiring  Sub- 
ordinate Councils  to  file  with  the  State  Council  Secretary  a  list  of 
all  members  expelled,  suspended  and  reinstated ;  also  a  list  of  appli- 
cants rejected  and  the  cause  of  the  rejection,  which  was  sent  out 
when  the  cipher  pass  was  forwarded  to  the  Council  Secretaries. 
This  feature,  on  the  very  face,  commends  itself  to  every  State 
Council,  and  indicates  that  Ohio  is  progressive  in  more  ways  than 
one.  In  glancing  over  the  list  of  rejected  applicants,  it  is  inter- 
esting to  note  the  causes  or  reasons  for  rejection  of  same :  "  Con- 
duct," "  Character,"  "  Wearing  Jr.  0.  U.  A.  M.  pin  for  political 
purpose,"  "Bad  character,"  Drunkenness,"  "All  around  tough," 
"  General  principles,"  were  some  of  the  reasons  stated. 


568  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

The  following  officers  were  elected : 

State  Councilor — Dr.  L.  A.  Perce, 
State  Vice-Councilor — C.   E.  Tinkler, 
State  Council  Treasurer — W.  A.   Gordon. 

Number  of  Councils,  December  31,   1895 237 

Number  of  Members,  December  31.    IS!!.") 14,089 


NORWALK,    1897 

The  Quarto-Centennial  Annual  Session  of  the  State  Council 
was  held  at  Norwalk,  September  14-16,  1897,  with  State  Councilor 
Dr.  L.  A.  Perce  in  the  Chair.  Among  other  things  submitted  by 
the  State  Councilor  was  the  report  of  the  amount  paid  by  the 
Councils  towards  meeting  their  pledge  for  the  Orphans'  Home, 
which  aggregated  $6,590.62. 

This  being  the  Twenty-fifth  Annual  Session  of  the  State  Body, 
a  resume  of  the  standing  of  the  Order  in  the  state  is  not  out  of 
place,  taking  the  figures  from  the  State  Council  Secretary's  report: 

Number  of  Councils,  December  31,  1896 216 

Number  of  Members,  December  31,  1896 13,534 

Receipts  of   Subordinate   Councils $97,576.00 

Paid   for   Relief    30,332.00 

Worth    of    Councils 101,479.00 

Receipts  of  State  Council $7,434.23 

Expenses   of  State   Council 6,097.58 

Two  most  excellent  members  of  the  State  Body  died  during 
the  year,  Past  State  Councilor  Coleman  and  Geo.  B.  Donaldson, 
Chairman  of  the  State  Legislative  Committee. 

In  the  election  of  officers  the  following  were  named: 

State  Councilor — C.   E.   Tinkler, 
State  Vice-Councilor— Dr.  S.  O.  Giffin, 
State  Council    Treasurer — W.   A.   Gordon. 


MARION,  1898 

Marion,  the  place,  September  13,  1898,  the  date  of  the  con- 
vening of  the  State  Body,  in  annual  session  the  twenty-sixth,  State 
Councilor  Tinkler  presiding.  The  Credential  Committee  found 
entitled  to  admission  to  the  State  Council  205  Eepresentatives,  167 
Deputy  State  Councilors,  6  Past  State  Councilors,  and  all  mem- 
bers of  the  committees  as  well  as  officers  of  the  body.     John  J. 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  569 

Weitzel,  one  of  Ohio's  conspicuous  members,  was  a  Representative 
at  this  session.  Twelve  new  Councils  had  been  instituted  and  six 
reorganized.  Death  again  entered  the  State  Council,  this  time 
removing  the  State  Council  Treasurer,  W.  A.  Gordon,  a  most 
efficient  officer  and  worthy  brother.  By  action  of  the  Board  of 
Officers,  Dr.  Wenner  was  elected  to  fill  the  position  until  the  meet- 
ing of  the  State  Council. 

The  following  officers  were  elected: 

State  Councilor— Dr.  S.  O.  Giffin, 

State  Vice-Councilor — F.  A.   Hartenstein, 

State  Council  Treasurer — Brent  Cahill. 

Number  of  Council.-.  December  .'!L,   L897 214 

Number  of  Members,  December  31,  1897 13,571 

Estimated    Membership,  June  30.   1898 1 1,229 

Grain  for  year  ending  June  30,  1898 656 


COLUMBUS,    1899 

The  Twenty-seventh  Annual  Session  of  the  State  Council  con- 
vened at  Columbus,  September  12,  1899,  State  Councilor  Giffin  pre- 
siding. Six  new  Councils  were  instituted  and  three  reorganized 
during  the  year.  Major  Ryan  had  been  employed  as  lecturer,  and 
his  words  and  presence  accomplished  much  good  in  stimulating  the 
weak  Councils  and  arousing  a  strong  patriotic  sentiment  through- 
out the  state.  The  organizing  work,  proper,  had  been  placed  in 
the  hands  of  the  Deputy  State  Councilors,  $30  being  paid  as 
premium. 

One  commendable  recommendation  of  the  State  Councilor  was 
approved  by  the  State  Body. 

"  That  a  sufficient  amount  be  appropriated  to  pay  for  a  suitable 
photograph  of  Brother  Charles  Lawrence,  of  Mansfield,  to  be  framed  and 
placed  in  the  first  cottage,  in  honor  to  him  as  the  originator  of  the 
Orphans'  Home." 

State  Council  Secretary  Bliss  reported  201  Councils  in  good 
standing  and  14,855  members,  a  gain  of  626  over  previous  report. 

At  the  session  of  the  State  Council  of  1897,  a  resolution  was 
adopted  awarding  a  prize  banner  to  the  Council,  showing  the  great- 
est per  cent,  gain  in  membership  during  the  year.  This  year 
Liberty  Council,  No.  70,  won  the  prize  by  showing  a  gain  of  138 
per  cent.  Two  other  Councils  made  107  and  100  per  cent,  respec- 
tively. The  Council  having  the  largest  membership  was  Cincin- 
natus  Council,  No.  82,  at  Cincinnati,  numbering  551. 


570  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

The  officers  elected  were  as  follows: 

State  Councilor — F.   A.   Hartenstein, 
State  Vice-Councilor — C.   M.   Davis, 
State  Council  Treasurer — Brent  Cahill. 

Number  of  Councils,   December   31,    1898 198 

Number   of   Members,   December   31,    1898 1.3,977 

Estimated  Membership,  June  30,    1899 14.855 

( lain  for  year  ending  June  30,   1899 626 


CINCINNATI,   1900 

The  opening  century  fonnd  the  State  Council  of  Ohio  in  ses- 
sion at  the  Metropolis  City  of  the  state,  September  11  and  12,  1900, 
presided  over  by  State  Councilor  Hartenstein.  Jesse  Taylor,  "  the 
Terrible,"  was  admitted  at  this  session  a  member  of  the  State  Body. 

Two  commendable  features  had  been  incorporated  in  the  re- 
port of  the  State  Councilor,  viz. :  1.  The  inauguration  of  "  Eally 
Day,"  a  day  set  apart  by  official  proclamation,  for  the  members  of 
the  Order  to  visit  the  Orphans'  Home  in  order  to  become  more 
familiar  with  its  workings  and  management.  2.  An  Inspection 
Report,  furnished  by  the  Deputy  State  Councilors,  to  be  turned  over 
to  the  succeeding  State  Councilor,  which  report  gave  useful  infor- 
mation where  new  Councils  might  be  instituted  and  special  work 
might  be  advantageous,  and  gave  the  names  of  representative  citi- 
zens with  whom  to  communicate  relative  to  future  work.  This 
feature  must  have  been  of  invaluable  assistance  to  the  incoming 
State  Councilors. 

Of  the  many  resolutions  adopted,  the  following  are  noted : 

1.  To  save  expenses  of  a  lobby  at  Washington,  etc.  Cincin- 
natus  Council  believed  that  the  better  way  to  accomplish  the  pur- 
poses of  the  organization  was  to  initiate  into  the  Order  all  Con- 
gressmen and  Members  of  the  Senate  who  are  eligible. 

2.  That  all  Past  State  Councilors,  entitled  to  vote,  be  in- 
structed to  attend  all  sessions  of  the  National  Council  at  the 
expense  of  the  State  Council. 

The  officers  for  the  ensuing  year  were  elected  as  follows : 

State  Councilor — C.  M.  Davis, 

State  Vice-Councilor— G.  W.  Hirst, 

State  Council  Secretary — J.  G.  A.  Richter   (five  years). 

State  Council  Treasurer — Dr.   H.  L.  Wenner. 

Number  of   Councils,  December  31,   1899 193 

Number  of  Members,  December  31,   1899 14,588 

Estimated  Membership,  June  30,  1900 15,798 

Gain  for  vear  ending  June  30,   1900 943 


UNITED  AMERICAN   MECHANICS  571 

Brother  J.  A.  Bliss,  who  so  efficiently  served  the  State  Council 
as  its  Secretary,  declined  renomination,  hence  the  election  of 
Brother  Richter,  who,  at  the  present  (1907)  still  swings  the  pen 
as  the  State  Council  "  Scribe." 

EAST    LIVERPOOL,    1901 

East  Liverpool  entertained  the  State  Council  in  annual  ses- 
sion September  10  and  11,  1901,  with  State  Councilor  Davis  pre- 
siding. Death  again  invaded  the  ranks  of  the  State  Body,  taking 
as  his  prey,  State  Vice-Councilor  Q.  W.  Hirst,  May  22,  1901.  In 
his  stead,  Reinhard  Schwald  was  appointed  by  the  Board  of  Officers. 

The  Order,  as  per  report  of  December  31,  1900,  showed  a  con- 
tinued increase  of  members,  there  being  15,381,  a  gain  of  1,31? 
and  4  Councils.  To  this  was  added  an  estimated  membership  June 
30,  1901,  of  16,932,  a  gain  since  January  1,  1901,  of  997. 

The  following  resolutions,  in  substance,  were  passed : 

(1)  Relative  to  the  attempted  assassination  of  President  Mc- 
Kinley,  and  memorializing  Congress  to  pass  more  stringent  immi- 
gration laws. 

(2)  Expressing  to  Mrs.  McKinley  the  condolence  of  the  State 
Body  on  the  dastard  attempt  on  the  life  of  the  President. 

(3)  Condemning  caucus  or  "  ring  rule  "  in  the  National  Coun- 
cil and  instructing  the  National  Representatives  and  requesting 
the  Past  National  and  Past  State  Councilors  to  stand  "  solidly  for 
economy  and  against  all  favoritism  or  personal  preference,  having 
in  view  only  the  good  of  the  Order  regardless  of  any  would-be-boss 
or  dictator." 

The  State  Council  Secretary,  on  motion,  cast  the  vote  for  the 
following  officers : 

State   Councilor — Reinhard   Schwald, 

State  Vice-Councilor — E.  W.  Funk, 

State  Council  Treasurer — Dr.   H.   L.   Wenner. 

URBANA,    1902 

In  Thirtieth  Annual  Session,  the  State  Council  convened  at 
Urbana,  September  9,  1902,  with  State  Councilor  Schwald  in  the 
Chair.     The  standing  of  the  Order  June  30,  1902.  was  as  follows: 

Number  of  Councils 217 

Number    of    Members 19,025 

Gain    over    previous    year 2,093 

Councils  instituted  during  the  year 26 


572  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

A  bill  had  been  introduced  into  the  Ohio  Legislature  known  as 
the  "  Ohio  Penitentiary  Chaplain's  Bill,''  providing,  among  other 
employes,  "  a  Roman  Catholic  Chaplain,  appointed  by  the  Bishop 
of  the  Columbus  Diocese  at  a  salary  of  $50  per  month."  The 
Junior  Legislative  Committee  fought  the  bill  and  it  was  defeated. 

The  Election  Board  reported  the  following  officers  elected : 

State  Councilor — E.  W.  Funk, 

State  Vice-Councilor — Geo.  O.  Eoberts., 

State  Council  Treasurer — Dr.  H.  L.  Wenner. 

The  Ohio  brethren  were  sound  on  the  question  of  conduct 
unbecoming  a  Eepresentative.  One  of  the  Eepresentatives  became 
intoxicated  and  thereby  brought  odium  on  the  Order.  By  a  vote 
of  the  State  Council,  the  guilty  member  was  brought  up  before 
the  body  and  reprimanded  by  the  State  Councilor. 


tiffin,  1903 

Tiffin,  in  September  of  the  year  of  1903,  opened  its  hospitable 
doors  to  the  State  Council,  in  annual  session  the  thirty-first,  with 
State  Councilor  Funk  presiding.  Dr.  Wenner  had  charge  of  the 
preliminary  exercises  and  introduced  Mayor  Leister,  a  Junior,  who, 
in  his  official  capacity  extended  the  courtesies  of  the  City  of  Tiffin 
to  the  members  of  the  State  Body.  Brother  Jesse  Taylor  eloquently 
responded  in  behalf  of  the  State  Council. 

The  report  of  the  State  Council  Secretary  was  very  cheering, 
showing  continued  increase  in  both  Councils  and  members,  there 
being  on  June  30,  1903,  a  gain  of  23  Councils  and  2,616  members, 
33  Councils  having  been  instituted,  while  the  total  membership  had 
reached  21,801. 

A  pleasing  interruption  took  place  during  the  session,  a  recess 
having  been  declared,  whereupon  Brother  Kernan,  Superintendent 
of  the  Home,  accompanied  by  26  children  of  the  Institution,  10 
boys  and  16  girls,  were  admitted  to  the  hall  and  the  children  en- 
tertained the  members  of  the  State  Body  with  drill  exercises.  A 
"  Silver  Shower "  in  the  interest  of  the  Home  followed,  amount- 
ing to  five  hundred  and  ninety-six  dollars  and  four  cents.  The 
Ohio  brethren  never  do  things  half-heartedly  when  it  comes  to 
caring  for  the  orphans  in  our  National  Orphans'  Home. 

The  Daughters  of  America  held  their  State  session  at  the 
same  time  and  place,  whereupon  Dr.  Wenner  moved  that  three  of 
the  (f  homeliest  men"  in  the  State  Council  be  appointed  to  convey 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  573 

the  greetings  of  the  body  to  the  State  Body  of  the  Daughters  of 
America.  It  goes  without  saying,  that  Dr.  Wenner  (a  very  hand- 
some man)  was  made  Chairman  of  the  Committee.  Brothers  Wolf 
and  Woolenhaupt  were  the  other  two. 

The  election  of  officers  resulted  in  the  following  being  selected  : 

State  Councilor — Geo.   O.   Roberts, 

State  Vice-Councilor — Jesse   Taylor, 

State  Council  Treasurer — Dr.  H.  L.  Wenner. 


CLEVELAND,    1904 

The  Thirty-second  Annual  Session  of  the  State  Council  was 
held  in  the  City  of  Cleveland,  Septemher  13  and  14,  1904,  with 
State  Councilor  Roberts  in  the  Chair.  According  to  the  State 
Council  Secretary's  report,  the  Order  was  sweeping  forward  with 
great  strides,  making  large  gains  throughout  the  state.  The  total 
number  of  Councils  reported  was  249 ;  members,  22,706 ;  a  gain 
of  14  Councils  and  2,497  members. 

The  Ohio  brethren  were  not  at  first  very  favorably  disposed 
towards  the  two  new  features  of  the  organization,  incorporated  by 
act  of  the  National  Council,  viz. :  The  National  Funeral  Benefit 
Department  and  the  Beneficiary  Degree,  both  recognized  as  integral 
parts  of  the  Order,  as  much  so  as  the  National  Orphans'  Home ;  and 
while  they  differed  with  the  majority  of  the  National  Council  on 
the  question,  it  is  presumed  that  they  differed  honestly.  From  the 
resolutions  adopted  at  this  session,  there  seemed  to  have  been  two 
principal  reasons  for  their  attitude  on  the  matter  in  not  accepting 
the  new  features  of  the  Order:  (1)  That  the  beneficial  features  in- 
corporated in  the  objects  of  the  organization  might  detract  from  the 
patriotic  purposes  of  the  Order  and  interfere  with  the  promulgation 
of  its  sublime  principles.  (2)  That  the  incorporation  of  the 
Funeral  Benefit  Department  and  the  Insurance  Branch,  as  part  of 
the  Objects  of  the  Order,  might  effect  the  constitutionality  of  the 
amendment,  thereby  causing  more  litigation  and  entailing  greater 
expense  on  the  organization. 

In  expressing  the  above  named  reasons,  a  resolution  was 
adopted  deploring  the  tendency  of  the  National  Council  to  convert 
the  Order  into  an  Insurance  Society,  thereby  causing  the  expendi- 
ture of  money  that  should  be  used  to  "further  the  fundamental 
principles  "  of  the  Order ;  and  while  offering  their  undying  loyalty 
to  the  principles  of  the  organization,  such  as  the  restriction  of  im- 
migration, suppression  of  the  tendency  of  the  union  of  Church  and 


574  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

State  and  the  protection  of  the  Public  School  System,  it  was  re- 
solved that  the  National  Representatives  be  instructed  to  carry  into 
practical  effect  the  sense  of  the  resolution,  not  to  be  understood 
as  opposing  the  Objects  of  the  Order  as  amended  by  the  National 
body,  but  simply  that  the  insurance  feature  should  be  entirely  sub- 
ordinate to  the  more  important  patriotic,  political  principles  of  the 
Order. 

Impressed  with  such  views  as  these,  it  is  not  strange  that  the 
State  Council  of  Ohio  refused  to  concur  in  the  amendment  adopted 
by  the  National  Council  at  St.  Louis,  in  June  of  same  year,  chang- 
ing the  Objects  of  the  Order  to  the  form  in  which  they  now  are, 
the  yeas  being  3  while  the  nays  were  195. 

In  voting  on  the  amendment  to  the  National  Constitution,  pro- 
viding for  Biennial  sessions  of  the  National  Council  instead  of 
Annual,  the  Ohio  brethren  were  not  in  favor  of  the  change,  there 
being  but  15  yeas  to  225  nays. 

The  section  of  the  National  Constitution  amended  at  St.  Louis 
providing  for  the  conferring  of  the  honors  of  Past  State  Councilor 
upon  State  Council  Secretaries  and  State  Council  Treasurers  who 
shall  have  served  ten  consecutive  years,  was  adopted  by  a  vote  of 
yeas  150  and  nays  6. 

A  resolution  with  the  following  title  was  adopted,  viz. :  "  Re- 
affirming our  allegiance  to  the  primary  objects  of  the  Junior 
0.  IT.  A.  M.,  and  setting  forth  a  certain  hour  in  discussing  the  same 
in  the  National  Council." 

The  purpose  of  this  resolution  was  certainly  meritorious;  to 
spend  a  portion  of  the  time  of  each  session  of  the  State  Council  in 
discussing  the  practical  subjects  along  which  the  Order  teaches, 
such  as  Restricted  Immigration,  the  Public  School  System,  the  Bible 
in  the  Public  Schools,  the  National  Orphans'  Home,  is  certainly 
commendable,  not  only  in  sessions  of  the  State  Councils,  but  in  the 
meetings  of  the  Subordinate  Councils  as  well,  and  the  purport  of 
the  resolution  suggested  this  wider  scope  and  the  National  Council 
was  requested,  through  the  Representatives  of  the  State  Council 
of  Ohio,  that  said  resolution  be  promulgated. 

In  obedience  to  their  own  resolution,  the  State  Council  set 
apart  a  period  of  time  before  the  adjournment  for  discussion  of 
some  phase  of  Junior  work,  and  State  Councilor  Jesse  Taylor  and 
State  Vice-Councilor  Miller  were  designated  to  present  the  patriotic 
feature  of  the  Order;  but  Brother  Miller  gave  his  time  to  Brother 
Taylor  who  stirred  the  members  by  an  address  on  the  motto  of  the 
Order,  Virtue,  Liberty  and  Patriotism. 


UNITED  AMERICAN   MECHANICS  575 


State  Council  officers  were  elected  as  follows : 

State  Councilor — Jesse  Taylor, 

State  Vice-Councilor — Rev.    Jas.    G.    Miller, 

State  Council  Treasurer — Dr.  H.  L.  Wenner. 


all  unanimously  elected. 


DAYTON,   1905 

In  Thirty-third  Annual  Session,  the  State  Council  convened 
at  the  city  of  Dayton,  September  12,  1905,  with  State  Councilor 
Jesse  Taylor  presiding.  Hon.  Chas.  A.  Snyder,  Mayor  of  the  city, 
was  introduced  by  Brother  John  B.  Williams  of  the  local  commit- 
tee who  extended  the  hospitalities  of  Dayton  to  the  State  Council, 
to  which  a  suitable  response  was  made  by  Hon.  R.  A.  Pollock. 
Deputy  State  Councilor,  in  behalf  of  the  State  Body. 

The  campaign  during  the  year  had  been  a  very  busy  one  on  the 
part  of  the  State  officers,  especially  of  the  State  Councilor  whose; 
"rapid-fire  "  administration  was  unique  as  well  as  strenuous,  which 
gave  him  the  cognomen  "  Taylor  the  Terrible."  He  did  not  sparo 
"  printer's  ink,"  but  sent  abroad  among  the  Councils  again  and 
again  stirring  appeals  to  duty,  arousing  much  enthusiasm  among 
the  members.  He  was  ably  seconded  by  the  State  Vice-Councilor, 
who  gave  much  time  to  visitations,  and  even  the  State  Council  Sec- 
retary, Brother  Eichter,  showed  himself  a  model  Secretary  by  visit- 
ing many  Councils  in  his  official  capacity,  infusing  new  life  into  the 
weaker  Councils  and  arousing  patriotic  sentiment  among  the  mem- 
bers. As  the  result  of  a  year's  hard  work,  40  Councils  were  char- 
tered and  the  membership  increased. 

State  Councilor  Taylor  spoke  with  no  uncertain  voice  on  the 
immigration  question.  With  his  ear  to  the  ground,  he  heard  thp 
tramp,  tramp,  tramp  of  Europe's  million  a  year,  like  the  Goths 
and  Vandals  of  old,  sweeping  over  the  fair  land  of  Columbia ;  and 
to  arouse  sentiment  on  the  great  issue,  he  appealed  to  the  Order  to 
most  vigorously  present  a  solid  phalanx  against  the  gigantic  invas- 
ion of  the  twentieth  century.  Under  the  inspiration  of  such  a 
campaign,  it  is  not  a  matter  of  wonder,  that  all  afire  with  the  sub- 
ject, State  Councilor  Taylor  and  the  Eepresentatives  of  Ohio,  went 
to  the  Nashville  National  session  and  were  able  to  secure  an  appro- 
priation of  $5,000  to  assist  the  National  Legislative  Committee  for 
an  aggressive  campaign  at  Washington  of  which  Committee 
Brother  Taylor  was  Secretary. 


576  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

The  State  Council  proceedings  were  pleasingly  interrupted  by 
the  presence  of  the  Orphans'  Home  Drum  Band  and  the  "  Jimtown 
rooters/'  whoever  they  were,  whereupon  a  recess  was  declared  by  the 
State  Councilor  and  the  visitors  were  admitted  to  the  chamber. 
The  Drum  Corps  entertained  the  State  Council  with  several  patri- 
otic selections,  following  which  a  "  Silver  Shower  "  was  ordered  by 
the  indefatigable  State  Councilor,  and  the  result  of  the  offering  was 
forty-six  pounds  of  silver  coin,  gathered  from  the  floor.  It  must 
not  be  supposed  that  all  these  pounds  of  silver  came  out  of  the 
pockets  of  the  members  present,  liberal  as  they  always  were  towards 
the  Orphans'  Home,  but  it  was  a  prearranged  plan  suggested  by  the 
State  Councilor  in  a  letter  to  the  Councils  in  June  preceding, 
asking  that  at  the  first  meeting  of  each  Council  in  September,  a 
donation  be  taken  up  and  the  amount  be  placed  in  a  bag  and  sent 
to  the  State  Council  through  the  Representative  to  be  given  in  the 
proposed  "  Silver  Shower."  The  total  amount  contributed  for  the 
use  of  the  Home  in  the  "  Shower  "  was  fifteen  hundred  and  sixty- 
six  dollars  and  twenty-five  cents.  Magnanimous !  On  a  par  with 
what  Ohio  always  did  for  the  Home. 

All  of  the  Eecommendations  submitted  by  the  State  Councilor 
were  approved,  one  of  which  was  highly  commendable,  the  fixing 
of  the  salary  of  the  State  Council  Secretary  at  $1,200. 

The  State  Council  Secretary  submitted  his  report  bearing  date 
of  June  30,  1905,  which  showed  a  splendid  increase,  there  being 
at  that  date  273  Councils  and  25,544  members,  a  gain  over  the 
report  of  year  previous  of  23  Councils  and  2,855  members. 

Resolutions  were  adopted,  which  in  substance,  were  as  follows : 

1.  "Relating  to  the  Restriction  of  Immigration." 

2.  "  Better  System  of  Revenue  for  Maintenance  of  the  National 
Orphans'  Home,"  which  was  as  follows: 

"  Resolved,  That  we  instruct  our  Representatives  to  the  National 
Body,  to  use  their  best  endeavors  in  securing  appropriate  legislation, 
looking  to  a  better  system  of  revenue,  and  a  more  equal  distribution 
thereof,  resulting  in  an  amount  sufficient  to  support  our  orphans  more 
comfortably,  and  increase  their  opportunities  for  development,  and  our 
zeal,  for  the  permanency  of  this  institution  of  practical  patriotism." 

3.  "  Relative  to  the  Teaching  of  Modern  Foreign  Languages  in 
Public  Schools." 

4.  "Relative   to   the   National   Funeral   Department." 

It  is  with  a  sense  of  personal  gratification  that  the  writer  in- 
serts in  its  entirety  the  following  resolution,  which  shows  how 
loyal  Ohio  is  to  this  important  feature  of  the  Order: 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  577 

"  RESOLUTION 

"  Be   it   Resolved,    by    the    State   Council    of    Ohio,    Jr.    O.  U.  A.  M., 

"  That,  whereas,  the  National  Council,  Jr.  O.  U.  A.  M.,  at  its  recent 
session  held  in  the  City  of  Nashville,  Tenn.,  by  resolution  duly  adopted, 
extended  the  time  within  which  the  Subordinate  Councils  could  be 
admitted  to  the  National  Council  Funeral  Benefit  Department,  to  October 
1,  1905,  without  working  any  discrimination  against  members  thereof 
on  account  of  their  existing  age  limit  or  other  disqualification,  and 

"  Whereas,  quite  a  number  of  Subordinate  Councils  within  the 
State  of  Ohio  have  not  entered  said  Funeral  Benefit  Department,  but 
carry  their  membership  in  other   Funeral   Benefit  Associations. 

"  Now,  therefore,  we  here  express  as  the  sense  of  this  State  Council, 
that  all  such  Subordinate  Councils  should  accept  the  liberal  terms  of 
the  Funeral  Benefit  Department  of  the  National  Council  and  should  ally 
themselves,  at  their  earliest  opportunity,  with  such  Funeral  Benefit 
Department.  „  F    A    Hartenstine,  No.  51, 

"  Approved :  "  Jas.  G.  Miller,  No.   127, 

"  J.  A.  Boss,  "  Brent  Cahiix,  No.  342, 

"S.  W.  Bennett,  "  D.  J.  T.  Johnson,  No.  24. 

"  John  J.  Weitzel, 

"  Committee  on  Good  of  the  Order. 

The  Election  Board  announced  the  result  of  the  ballot  for 
officers  for  the  ensuing  year  as  follows : 

State  Councilor — Rev.  Jas.  G.  Miller, 

State  Vice-Councilor — John  J.  Weitzel, 

State  Council  Secretary — J.   G.   A.   Richter    ( five   years ) , 

State  Council  Treasurer — Dr.  H.  L.  Wenner. 


CANTON,  1906 

The  home  city  of  the  State  Council  Secretary  entertained  the 
Thirty-fourth  Annual  Session  of  the  State  Council,  held  at  Canton, 
September  11  and  12,  1906,  with  Eev.  Jas.  G.  Miller,  State  Coun- 
cilor, presiding.  The  session  was  largely  attended;  interest,  har- 
mony and  good  will  prevailing;  while  the  gavel  in  the  hands  of 
Brother  Miller  was  wielded  with  a  masterhand.  Superintendent 
Kernan,  of  the  Orphans'  Home,  and  Editor  "  Zip "  Smith,  of 
The  American,  were  interested  visitors  at  the  session,  and  during 
the  meeting  addressed  the  State  Body. 

The  feature  of  the  first  day's  session  was  the  presence  of  16 
girls  from  the  Home  who  enlivened  the  proceedings  with  patriotic 
songs  and  recitations  arousing  the  usual  enthusiasm,  which  brought 
the  "  Silver  Shower,"  cast  upon  the  folds  of  the  American  flag, 
the  same  amounting  to  $315.82  in  cash,  $88.25  in  pledges  and 
$1-12.50  subsequently  paid  over  to  the  State  Council  Secretary,  or 
3  total  of  $546.57. 
37 


578  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

Notwithstanding  his  professional  duties  as  pastor  of  a  con- 
gregation, State  Councilor  Miller  was  a  faithful  officer  of  his  State 
Council  and  gave  a  year  of  conscientious  and  arduous  work,  which 
was  made  manifest  by  the  large  increase  that  crowned  his  adminis- 
tration. A  no  small  part  of  his  work  was  the  appointment  of  hun- 
dreds of  Deputies  to  look  after  the  Councils  in  the  state.  Besides 
the  regular  Deputy  State  Councilors,  Brother  Miller  appointed  a 
large  number  of  Special  Deputy  State  Councilors  for  special  duties. 
In  his  visitations  he  addressed  many  public  meetings,  thereby  bring- 
ing before  the  public  in  a  forceful  manner  the  doctrines  of  the 
Order.  He  was  aided  in  his  work  of  a  public  character  by  both 
the  State  Vice-Councilor  and  State  Council  Secretary,  who  came 
in  touch  with  the  organization  by  their  presence  to  inspire  and 
enthuse.  In  closing  a  most  excellent  report,  the  State  Councilor 
had  this  to  say  concerning  a  most  faithful  servant  of  the  Order: 

"  One  name  I  may  mention,  and  this  report  would  be  unjust  without 
it.  In  all  my  associations  with  men,  and  especially  among  Juniors,  I 
have  never  found  one  who  was  more  true  or  unselfish,  nor  whose  fellow- 
ship and  gentlemanly  courtesy  I  have  appreciated  more  than  one  whom 
you  already  know  so  well,  and  love  so  truly.  I  refer  to  the  best  State 
Secretary  of  the  best  State  Council  of  the  best  Order  in  the  world,  John 
G.  A.  Richter.  His  efficiency  is  best  appreciated  by  those  who  have  had 
closest  association  with  him.  Any  body  ought  to  succeed  as  State  Coun- 
cilor, if  he  can  have  Bro.  Richter  for  State  Secretary." 

REPORT   OF    STATE    COUNCIL    SECRETARY 

In  a  complete  and  exhaustive  resume,  Brother  Richter  gave 
the  standing  of  the  Order  in  the  state  in  such  a  methodical  and 
business-like  way,  that  if  space  permitted  we  would  like  to  insert  it ; 
but  only  a  synopsis  of  same  can  be  given : 

Number  of  Councils,  December  31,  1904 248 

Number  of  Councils  chartered 41 

Number  of  Councils  reinstated 1 

Number  of  Councils   dissolved 5 

Number  of   Councils   consolidated 1 

Total  number  of  Councils,  December  31,  1905 284 


Number  of  Members,  December  31,  1904. 22,760 

Number  of  Members  initiated  during  the' year 6,271 

Number  of  Members  admitted  and  reinstated ....  889 

Total  number  of  Members 29,920 

Total  loss  in  Members  by  Card,  Suspension,  etc . .  2,847 


UNITED  AMERICAN   MECHANICS  579 

Membership,   December   31,    1905 27,073 

Membership,  June  30,  1906 28,769 

Received  by  Subordinate  Councils $227,901.41 

Paid   for   Relief    46,655.48 

Worth  of   Councils    209,369.03 

Receipts    of    State    Council $20,108.30 

Expenses    of   State   Council 18,766.92 

Balance    in    Treasury $5,382.43 

The  Banner  Council  of  the  state  in  membership  was  Young 
America  Council,  No.  136,  at  TiffiD,  with  750  members  on  the  roll. 

The  amount  of  per  capita  tax  paid  the  National  Council  was 
$9,354.66;  per  capita  per  member  was  60  cents. 

The  following  are  the  officers  for  the  ensuing  year : 

Junior  Past  State  Councilor — Rev.  Jas.  G.  Miller, 

State  Councilor — John  J.  Weitzel, 

State  Vice-Councilor — H.  M.  Crow, 

State  Council  Secretary — J.  6.  A.  Richter, 

State  Council  Treasurer — Dr.  H.  L.  Wenner, 

Two  very  interesting  events  took  place,  not  ordinarily  on  the 
program  of  State  Council  meetings,  that  left  an  abiding  impression 
upon  all  who  were  in  attendance  at  the  session,  viz. :  The  public 
demonstration  held  in  the  Auditorium  on  the  evening  of  the  first 
day,  under  the  direction  of  the  local  committee,  and  the  silent 
pilgrimage  of  the  body,  accompanied  by  the  State  Council  of  the 
Daughters  of  America,  to  the  tomb  of  the  martyred  President 
McKinley. 

The  demonstration  on  Tuesday  evening  was  a  great  ovation, 
held  in  honor  of  the  two  State  Councils  then  in  session  in  the  city. 
One  of  the  principal  features  of  the  entertainment  was  the  "  Human 
Flag,"  a  most  strikingly  new  production,  participated  in  by  350 
Canton  girls,  which  aroused  great  enthusiasm ;  patriotism  was  ram- 
pant and  the  vast  audience  was  thrilled.  The  song  sung  was  the 
"Bonnie  Flag,"  and  as  the  350  voices  burst  forth  in  the  strains 
of  the  song,  the  long  streamers  in  the  hands  of  the  performers 
were  held  aloft  and  moved  slowly  back  and  forward,  forming  the 
fiag.  The  colors  of  the  streamers  were  so  held  that  the  girls  were 
hidden  and  nothing  but  the  huge  flag  was  visible.  Other  songs 
were  sung,  whereupon  Brother  Z.  P.  Smith,  editor  of  The  American, 
made  an  address  on  the  Objects  of  the  Order. 


580  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

The  Silent  Pilgrimage  to  the  tomb  of  William  McKinley  was 
a  most  befitting  feature  to  close  the  meeting  of  the  State  Council. 
Each  member  of  the  State  Council  was  furnished  with  a  carnation, 
some  red  and  others  white,  the  latter  the  favorite  bloom  of  the 
dead  President,  and,  being  joined  by  the  State  Council  of  the 
Daughters  of  America  bearing  similar  flowers,  the  procession 
marched  to  the  residence  of  Mrs.  McKinley,  the  Daughters  of 
America  in  the  lead,  and,  on  reaching  the  residence,  Mrs.  McKinley, 
on  the  arm  of  an  attendant,  was  led  to  a  rocking  chair  where  she 
received  the  greetings  of  the  Orders  through  Brother  J.  A.  Bliss 
and  Representative  Lackman  representing  the  Juniors,  and  Mrs. 
Laura  Faishel  representing  the  Daughters  of  America.  Brother 
Bliss,  in  behalf  of  the  two  Orders,  in  a  most  appropriate  address, 
presented  Mrs.  McKinley  with  a  large  bouquet  of  American  Beauty 
roses,  which  was  received  on  her  behalf  by  Hon.  William  R.  Day, 
Justice  of  the  Supreme  Court  of  the  United  States. 

Having  received  permission  of  Mrs.  McKinley,  the  first  time 
for  any  organization,  the  column  proceeded  to  the  tomb  and  were 
admitted  to  the  sacred  enclosure,  the  officer  of  the  guard  having 
opened  the  gate  and  the  long  line  marched  silently  about  the 
casket  containing  the  remains  of  the  noble  patriot  and  each  de- 
posited a  flower  thereon.  Brother  Smith  in  an  article  in  The 
American  tells  the  story  so  well  we  will  let  him  describe  it: 

"  The  tribute  paid  at  the  tomb  was  beautiful  and  impressive.  As 
we  passed  through  the  tomb,  there  to  deposit  the  carnation,  which  we 
wore,  upon  the  casket,  we  saw  standing  at  the  head  two  non-commissioned 
officers  of  the  United  States  Army  in  rigid  pose;  and  as  we  passed  out 
of  the  tomb,  a  glance  to  the  left  betrayed  a  sentry  wearing  the  uniform 
of  his  country,  rifle  in  hand,  immovable  as  «the  rock  out  of  which  the 
tomb  itself  is  hollowed.  Yes,  there  he  lies,  and  the  morning  '  Reveille  ' 
and  the  evening  '  Taps,'  are  alike  to  him.  He  needs  no  guard,  for  where 
is  the  hand  of  an  American  that  would  disturb  his  quiet  sleep!  Thank 
God,  it  was  not  an  American  hand  that  struck  him  to  mother  earth — 
but  the  guard  is  there,  a  guard  of  honor  only.  He  whom  they  guard  is 
not  there;  for  somewhere,  beyond  the  stars  he  has  put  on  a  fuller  and 
a  better  life." 


TIFFIN,  1907 

It  is  historically  claimed  at  one  period  that  "  all  roads  lead  to 
Rome,"  the  world's  great  Mecca.  The  Mecca,  not  only  of  the 
Junior  Order  of  Ohio  but  indeed  of  the  National  jurisdiction  is 
Tiffin,  and  towards  that  enterprising  city  the  members  of  the  State 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  581 

Council  of  Ohio  turned  their  steps  to  assemble  in  annual  gathering, 
September  10  and  11,  1907,  under  the  shadow  of  the  Orders  great 
Institution — the  National  Orphans'  Home — to  be  presided  over  by 
John  J.  Weitzel  whose  intensely  active  and  self-sacrificing  adminis- 
tration as  State  Councilor  was  about  coming  to  a  close. 

A  review  of  Brother  Weitzel's  administration  reveals  a  de- 
parture from  the  usual  and  common  routine  of  administrative 
activity,  by  classifying  the  work  into  three  departments  in  harmony 
with  the  Constitution  of  the  Order — the  Executive,  Legislative  and 
Judicial — and  under  each  department  the  work  of  the  year  had  been 
systematically  carried  out.  As  the  Executive  officer  Brother  Weitzel 
urged  the  organization  of  new  Councils  and  the  securing  of  new 
members,  still  he  laid  great  stress  upon  the  point  of  the  practica- 
bility of  the  one  and  the  qualifications  of  the  other.  No  Council 
was  instituted  during  the  year  that  did  not  have  a  special  investi- 
gation by  a  Special  Deputy  State  Councilor  as  to  the  effect  such  a 
Council  would  have  upon  a  Council  in  the  immediate  locality,  and 
in  his  appeals  for  increased  membership  he  did  not  desire  such  in- 
crease at  the  cost  of  character  but  that  quality  not  quantity  should 
be  the  watch-word  of  the  campaign.  Notwithstanding  this  careful- 
ness and  caution,  23  new  Councils  were  instituted  and  4,548  can- 
didates initiated,  making  a  gain  for  the  year  of  2,197  members, 
leaving  to  his  successor  296  Councils  and  30,966  members.  In  a 
thorough  and  exhaustive  report  the  State  Councilor  treated  every 
phase  of  the  Junior  work  and  principles,  thereby  bringing  before 
the  State  Body  the  wonderful  scope  of  Junior  activity. 

Brother  Kichter,  the  State  Council  Secretary,  displayed  the 
same  careful  methodical  system  in  keeping  the  records  of  the  State 
Council  and  the  Order  in  his  state  as  characterized  his  work  in 
previous  years.  Eeference  to  the  statistics  showed  that  Young 
America  Council,  No.  136,  still  stood  at  the  head  of  the  column 
with  a  membership  of  853,  followed  by  Cincinnatus  Council,  No. 
82,  with  559,  and  Champion  Council,  No.  2,  with  525  members. 

Notwithstanding  that  in  the  establishment  of  the  Orphans' 
Home,  Ohio,  bestowed  its  princely  gifts  of  money  and  material, 
the  old  State  has  not  forgotten  how  to  contribute  to  the  beloved 
Institution.  One  of  the  pleasant  features  of  the  State  Councils' 
sessions  is  the  "  Silver  Shower "  in  the  interest  of  the  Orphans' 
Home.  At  this  session  high-water  mark  was  reached  in  the  con- 
tribution to  the  Home  by  the  munificent  sum  of  one  thousand  five 
hundred  and  seventy-one  dollars  and  twelve  cents. 


582  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

The  following  officers  were  elected  and  installed  for  the  ensuing 
year: 

State  Councilor — Horace  M.  Crow, 

State  Vice-Councilor — Frank  Norwood, 

State  Council  Secretary — J.  G.  A.  Richter    (previously  elected), 

State  Council  Treasurer — Dr.  H.  L.  Wenner, 

State  Council  Conductor — S.  W.  Kissinger, 

State  Council  Warden — John  C.  Shaw, 

State  Council  Inside  Sentinel — R.  W.  Enck, 

State  Council  Outside  Sentinel — John  D.  Roberts, 

State  Council  Chaplain — Rev.  J.  A.  Pantle. 

The  story  of  Ohio's  Juniorism  has  been  told  in  the  preceding 
pages,  all  too  briefly,  however,  but  lack  of  space  and  the  general 
purpose  of  this  history  forbids  a  longer  compilation.  For  years 
the  Order  confronted  great  obstacles,  but  the  leaders,  in  the  face 
of  most  discouraging  circumstances,  "  stood  by  the  stuff  "  and  nobly 
and  valiantly  upheld  the  principles  of  the  organization,  believing 
thoroughly  in  them.  The  "  lane  however  turned,"  and  from  188?, 
with  a  few  exceptional  years,  the  Order  forged  ahead,  until  to-day 
Ohio  stands  second  in  the  ranks  of  the  states  as  to  numbers,  while 
her  work  and  sacrifice  for  the  Orphans'  Home  place  her  in  the  first 
column. 

In  common  with  some  of  the  other  older  states,  Ohio  could, 
until  within  a  few  months  (March  15,  1907), point  with  pride  to  the 
Nestor  of  Juniorism,  the  Senior  Past  State  Councilor,  and  the 
first  State  Councilor  of  the  state,  1873,  the  late  Brother  Leroy 
Van  Horn.  Although  long  removed  from  his  state  by  force  of 
circumstances,  he  kept  in  touch  with  the  Order  both  in  his  State 
Council  and  the  National  Council.  Of  the  older  Past  State  Coun- 
cilors, only  three  are  left  who  are  in  affiliation  with  the  Order,  viz., 
Brothers  W.  A.  Martin,  of  No.  2,  State  Councilor  in  1877,  H.  A. 
Siler,  of  No.  7,  elected  in  1881,  and  E.  E.  Hungerford,  of  No.  12, 
elected  in  1889.  Those  serving  since  1891,  as  State  Councilors, 
with  one  exception,  that  of  G.  E.  Coleman,  who  was  gathered  to  his 
long  home,  all  at  the  present  day  (1907)  are  actively  engaged  in 
the  work  of  the  Order.  Of  these,  Brother  Eichter,  at  present  the 
State  Council  Secretary,  stands  first ;  then  follows  Past  State  Coun- 
cilors L.  V.  Stone,  Dr.  H.  L.  Wenner,  at  present  the  State  Council 
Treasurer,  Dr.  L.  A.  Perce,  C.  E.  Tinkler,  Dr.  S.  0.  Giffin,  F.  A. 
Hartenstein,  C.  M.  Davis,  Eeinhard  Schwald,  E.  W.  Funk,  Geo.  0. 
Roberts,  Jesse  Taylor,  Eev.  Jas.  G.  Miller,  John  J.  Weitzel,  and  the 
present  (1907-1908)   State  Council  officers. 

But  the  above  honored  brethren  are  not  the  only  worthy  ones 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  583 

among  Ohio's  Juniors  deserving  of  mention  as  "  stalwarts  "  in  the 
organization.  Scores  of  others,  if  space  would  permit,  could  be 
named  who  have  largely  aided  in  shaping  the  policy  of  the  Order 
in  the  "  Buckeye  State/'  a  few  of  whom  we  can  recall :  Past  Na- 
tional Eepresentatives,  W.  J.  Keidel,  L.  E.  Shull,  C.  M.  Bulger, 
J.  A.  Bliss,  Geo.  E.  Buchman,  E.  F.  Mair,  S.  J.  Minesinger,  better 
known  as  "  Uncle  Sam,"  J.  J.  Grafton,  J.  H.  Zimmerman,  "  father 
of  the  Orphans'  Home,"  D.  B.  McDonald,  at  present  President  of 
the  Board  of  Trustees  of  the  Orphans'  Home,  and  last,  but  not  at 
all  least,  comes  the  name  of  one  whose  legal  ability  has  placed  him 
in  the  front  rank  of  the  National  Council  as  a  safe  advisor,  and 
to  whom  the  Order  owes  much  for  steering  the  craft  in  the  stormy 
sea  of  strife  to  a  calm  haven,  the  Chief  Counsel  of  the  Order,  Smith 
W.  Bennett,  Esq. 

But  these  favored  brethren  do  not  comprise  the  sum-total  of 
workers  in  Ohio's  Juniorism  by  any  means.  In  the  rank  and  file, 
either  as  Eepresentatives  to  the  State  Council  or  workers  in  the 
individual  Council,  are  hundreds  of  silent  laborers  who  have  helped 
to  make  the  Order  in  Ohio  the  power  it  is.  They  may  not  have  a 
place  in  the  "  temple  of  fame,"  neither  may  their  names  be  em- 
blazoned upon  the  printed  page,  yet  He  who  watches  the  workmen 
in  the  field,  will  not  fail  to  reward  such  in  the  Great  Day,  in  the 
commendation,  "  Inasmuch  as  ye  did  it  unto  the  least  of  these 
(little  children)  ye  did  it  unto  me." 


OKLAHOMA    (INDIAN  TERRITORY) 

The  Order  was  introduced  into  Indian  Territory,  now  Okla- 
homa, by  National  Organizer  F.  E.  Borden,  by  the  institution  of 
Liberty  Council,  No.  1,  February  15,  1897.  This  was  followed  by 
Ardmore  Council,  No.  2,  February  19 ;  Capital,  No.  3,  February  26 ; 
George  Washington,  No.  4,  February  22 ;  Star,  No.  5,  February  23 ; 
Eagle,  No.  6,  February  27;  Canadian,  No.  7,  March  31;  Lehigh, 
No.  8,  April  8,  and  Coal  Gate,  No.  9,  April  12,  all  the  same  year, 
organized  and  instituted  by  Brother  Borden.  The  Order,  however, 
previous  to  this  time  had  been  introduced  into  the  Territory  of 
Oklahoma  by  Dr.  J.  L.  Cooper,  of  Texas,  by  the  institution  of 
Logan  Council,  No.  1,  in  1892,  but  the  Council  had  but  a  brief 
history. 

On  April  15,  1897,  Brother  Borden  instituted  the  State  Coun- 
cil of  Indian  Territory  in  due  form  at  South  McAlester.  The  in- 
stitution of  the  State  body  was  attended  by  more  than  usual  in- 
terest both  to  the  Order  and  the  citizens  of  the  city.     It  was  made 


584  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

a  public  affair  and  the  officers  were  publicly  installed,  there  being 
more  than  100  subordinate  members  present.  Following  these 
exercises,  the  local  Council,  Capital,  No.  1,  entertained  the  visitors 
and  the  families  of  the  members  in  a  very  creditable  manner.  The 
records  show  that  there  was  no  undue  haste  made  in  the  preliminary 
proceedings,  but  in  a  methodical  and  business-like  manner  the  work 
of  organization  was  accomplished  and  its  business  transacted. 
Brother  Borden  acted  as  Chairman  and  J.  E.  McCarty  as  Secretary, 
whereupon  an  election  of  officers  took  place,  resulting  as  follows : 

Junior  Past  State  Councilor — J.  F.  Pierce, 
State  Councilor — Wm.  Millican, 
State  Vice-Councilor — E.  D.  Miller, 
State  Council  Secretary — J.  E.  McCarty, 
State  Council  Treasurer — J.  W.  McLaughlin, 
State  Council  Conductor — Wm.  Glossen, 
State  Council  Warden — Alex.   Bair, 
State  Council  Sentinel — L.  H.  Doctor, 
State  Council  Chaplain — R.  F.  Hamilton. 

Bro.  Hamilton  was  elected  National  Eepresentative  for  five  years. 

With  a  very  auspicious  beginning,  the  State  Council  of  Indian 
Territory  closed  its  first  meeting  and  adjourned  to  meet  in  special 
session  May  15,  1897,  at  which  time  the  Constitution  and  Laws 
governing  the  State  Council  were  adopted,  the  per  capita  tax  placed 
at  60  cents  and  the  jurisdiction  between  Councils  was  fixed  at  three 
miles,  except  in  the  cities. 

Two  resolutions  were  adopted  at  the  special  session:  (1)  That 
the  State  Council  have  prepared  a  State  Degree  Ritual  for  the 
benefit  of  the  State  Council  officers  and  all  Past  Councilors.  (2) 
That  the  officers  of  Subordinate  Councils  should  memorize  their 
charges  as  soon  after  installation  as  possible. 


The  First  Annual  Session  was  held  at  South  McAlester  with 
State  Councilor  William  Millican  in  the  Chair.  The  State  Council 
Secretary  submitted  a  very  elaborate  report,  full  of  good  sugges- 
tions, etc.  His  reference  to  the  high  moral  standard  of  the  mem- 
bership of  the  Order,  indicated  that  the  moral  side  of  men  was 
taken  into  consideration  in  the  organization  of  Councils  of  the 
Order  and  the  initiation  of  its  members.  Eight  Councils  had  been 
instituted  during  the  year  and  the  membership  increased.  Brother 
E.  F.  Hamilton  was  the  State  Organizer  and  six  of  the  eight  Coun- 
cils were  organized  by  him. 

A  resolution  submitted  by  Brother  Hamilton,  that  a  contribu- 
tion box  in  the  shape  of  a  schoolhouse  be  placed  in  every  Council 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  585 

chamber  to  receive  contributions  for  the  use  of  the  Orphans'  Home, 
was  unanimously  adopted.  The  Daughters  of  America,  as  an  auxil- 
iary organization  to  the  State  Council,  was  endorsed. 

Brother  Hamilton  always  stood  for  the  National  Council,  which 
was  shown  at  this  session  when  the  majority  of  the  Committee  on 
Law  submitted  a  resolution  charging  the  literature  of  the  National 
Council  as  being  "  misleading "  and  a  "  drawback,"  wherein  it 
referred  to  the  Funeral  Benefits  being  $250.  Brother  Hamilton, 
as  a  member  of  the  Committee,  submitted  a  minority  report  in 
which  he  says : 

"  I  cannot  and  will  not  endorse  any  recommendation  or  resolution 
that  denounces  any  literature  furnished  by  the  National  Council  for 
organizing  purposes,  or  any  action  of  the  National  Council  whatever,  as 
fraudulent  and  misleading." 

(This  was  a  few  years  before  the  creation  of  the  National 
Funeral  Department,  and  had  reference  to  the  plan  then  as  it 
is  now,  of  the  Philadelphia  Association  in  paying  $62  for  the 
first  three  months,  $125  for  the  first  six  months  and  not  paying 
the  full  amount,  $250,  until  after  the  member  had  belonged 
nine  months.  This  is  why  the  majority  of  the  Law  Committee 
thought  the  statement  misleading. — Editor.) 

E.  D.  Miller  was  elected  S.  C,  and  H.  E.  Berner,  S.  V.  C, 
at  this  session. 

The  State  Council  convened  at  Coal  Gate,  November  9,  1898, 
with  State  Councilor  E.  D.  Miller  presiding.  Brother  McCarty 
having  died  during  the  year,  J.  C.  Carson  had  been  appointed  to 
take  his  place.  A  committee  was  appointed  to  take  into  considera- 
tion the  question  of  petitioning  Congress  for  a  Free  School  System 
for  the  Territory. 

After  the  mere  routine  business  had  been  transacted,  the  fol- 
lowing officers,  as  elected,  were  installed : 

State  Councilor — H.  E.  Berner, 
State  Vice-Councilor — W.   A.   Riley, 
State  Council  Secretary — Geo.   C.  Jahn, 
State  Council  Treasurer — C.  E.  Hale. 


The  State  Council  met  at  Krebs  on  December  19,  1899,  State 
Councilor  Benner  occupying  the  Chair.  The  first  thing  in  order 
was  the  election  of  officers,  which  resulted  as  follows: 

State  Councilor — W.   A.    Riley, 
State  Vice-Councilor — A.  E.  Reed, 
State  Council  Secretary — R.  F.  Hamilton, 
State  Council  Treasurer — J.  E.  James. 


586  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

A  vote  in  favor  of  a  Woman's  Auxiliary  resulted  unanimously 
in  favor  of  the  proposition.  Relative  to  the  Change  of  Name,  the 
State  Council  voted  against  the  amendment.  These  were  the  reso- 
lutions sent  from  the  National  Council  as  the  result  of  its  meeting 
at  Minneapolis. 

The  income  of  the  State  Council  was  limited,  and  owing  to  the 
failure  of  the  former  Secretary  to  pay  to  the  National  Council 
the  money  due  that  body,  the  State  Council  was  in  arrears  to  the 
Supreme  Body ;  but  with  a  spirit  of  personal  sacrifice  the  amount  of 
deficiency  was  divided  prorata  among  the  Councils  as  a  loan  and  the 
money  was  subsequently  secured. 

With  the  spirit  of  dissension  rife  in  some  of  the  Eastern  states, 
Indian  Territory  manifested  her  loyalty  and  continued  allegiance 
to  the  National  Council  by  endorsing  the  work  of  the  Minneapolis 
session.  After  changing  the  time  of  the  meeting  of  the  State 
Council  to  May,  the  body  adjourned. 


South  McAlester  again  entertained  the  State  Council,  in  an- 
nual session,  May  1,  1900,  with  State  Councilor  Riley  presiding. 
In  the  election  of  officers,  special  honor  was  conferred  upon  Brother 
Riley  by  reelecting  him  State  Councilor.  The  same  was  true  of 
A.  G.  Reed  for  State  Vice-Councilor,  R.  F.  Hamilton  for  State 
Council  Secretary,  his  term  being  placed,  under  the  law,  at  three 
years. 

Plucky  set  of  brothers  were  these  brethren  of  Indian  Territory. 
Facing  a  deficit  of  $50,  seven  members  of  the  State  Council  agreed 
to  bear  their  share  of  same.  Those  of  the  older  and  richer  states 
cannot  appreciate  what  real  sacrifice  the  weaker  states  have  had  to 
make  to  hold  their  State  Councils  together  in  their  earlier  history. 
More  heroic  than  any  stands  Indian  Territory  in  upholding  the 
principles  of  Americanism. 


South  McAlester,  again,  in  May  1901,  had  the  annual  session 
of  the  State  Council,  with  A.  C.  Reed,  State  Councilor,  in  the 
Chair.  Outside  of  adopting  a  revised  code  of  laws,  little  of  im- 
portance was  done. 

For  State  Councilor,  J.  E.  Jones  was  elected,  for  State  Vice- 
Councilor,  J.  E.  Ritter  and  M.  0.  Reed  for  State  Council  Treasurer. 

The  session  of  1902  was  also  held  at  South  McAlester,  State 
Councilor  Jones  presiding.  At  this  session  Wm.  Noble  was  elected 
State  Councilor  and  M.  D.  Reed  State  Vice-Councilor.  For  State 
Council  Treasurer  J.  K.  Brooks  was  elected. 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  587 

Durant  entertained  the  Seventh  Annual  Session,  May  5,  1903, 
Win.  Noble  occupying  the  Chair,  25  members  attending. 

Seven  new  Councils  had  been  instituted  by  State  Organizer 
W.  H.  Glossen,  and  the  membership  reached  450.  There  was  paid 
i'or  relief  during  the  year,  $1,969.20;  total  worth  of  Subordinate 
Councils,  $1,900;  total  receipts  of  State  Council,  $339.29;  Na- 
tional Council  per  capita  tax,  $84. GO. 

State  Council  officers: 

State  Councilor — W.  H.  Glossen, 
State  Vice-Councilor — S.   J.    Chronister, 
State  Council  Secretary — R.    F.    Hamilton. 
State  Council  Treasurer — J.  K.  Brooks. 


The  Eighth  Annual  Session  was  held  at  Hartshorne,  May  10, 
1904,  with  W.  H.  Glossen  in  the  Chair.  The  State  Council  was 
honored  and  encouraged  by  the  presence  of  National  Councilor  Dr. 
J.  L.  Cooper,  who  inspired  the  body  with  his  eloquence  as  well 
as  cheering  utterances. 

Efforts  had  been  made  to  establish  a  State  Funeral  Associa- 
tion, and  the  matter  had  been  referred  to  the  Subordinate  Councils 
for  a  referendum  vote.  Six  Councils  voted  in  favor  of  the  propo- 
sition and  4  against,  while  8  councils  did  not  vote  at  all.  The 
matter  was  deferred  until  the  next  session. 

This  was  a  splendid  year  for  Juniorism  in  Indian  Territory, 
10  new  Councils  having  been  instituted.  The  State  Councilor  was 
a  "  hustler  "  and  had  officially  visited  all  but  two  of  the  Councils 
during  the  year. 

The  State  Council  Secretary  reported  21  Councils  in  good 
standing  and  727  members,  being  a  net  gain  of  7  Councils  and 
377  members.  For  relief,  $3,202  had  been  paid.  "  The  Indepen- 
dent American  Mechanic/'  a  paper  published  by  Brother  Hamilton, 
was  endorsed,  as  well  as  The  American.  The  State  Council  was 
reported  "  out  of  debt,"  there  being  $198.84  on  hand. 

The  officers  elected  were : 

State  Councilor — Dr.  J.  A.  Cansdell, 

State  Vice-Councilor — Geo.  T.   Bayless, 

State  Council   Treasurer — J.   K.   Brooks    (reelected). 

The  National  Councilor  at  the  close  of  the  session,  again  enter- 
tained the  State  Body  with  one  of  his  characteristic  addresses  in 
which  he  referred  to  the  careful  manner  of  transacting  the  business 
of  the  State  Council  and  congratulated  the  members  on  the  harmony 
that  prevailed — "  not  an  unpleasant  word  spoken  or  a  rash  act 


588  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

done  during  the  session  " ;  then  he  added  the  statement  which  must 
have  been  gratifying  to  the  noble  band  of  brothers,  "  It  is  the  best 
meeting  I  ever  attended."  Dr.  Cooper  concluded  his  address  by 
presenting  Brother  Glossen,  Junior  Past  State  Councilor,  with  a 
beautiful  dinner  set  as  a  tribute  of  respect  for  his  most  efficient 
services.  Brother  Glossen  was  so  overcome  with  this  spontaneous 
outburst  of  esteem,  that  he  could  only  say  "  Thank  you,  my  dear 
brethren." 

The  generous  members  of  the  State  Body  did  not  forget  the 
little  Orphans,  but  "  Methodist  fashion,"  they  took  up  a  collection, 
amounting  to  $15.50.  Previous  to  this  session,  the  minutes  and 
records  of  the  State  Council  had  been  recorded  in  a  large  Journal, 
but  this  session  the  proceedings  were  printed  in  neat  form. 


The  session  of  1905  was  held  at  Howe,  May  9-10,  Dr.  J.  A. 
Cansdell,  State  Councilor,  presiding.  The  statistical  report  showed 
22  Councils  in  good  standing  and  978  members  on  the  rolls  of  the 
Subordinate  Councils,  making  a  gain  for  the  year  of  251.  The 
financial  statement  was  also  gratifying.  The  proposition  to  estab- 
lish a  State  Funeral  Association  was  again  considered,  and  finally 
was  indefinitely  tabled. 

The  officers  elected  were  as  follows : 

State  Councilor — Geo.  T.  Bayless, 
State  Vice-Councilor — T.  J.  Davis, 
State  Council  Secretary-Treasurer — R.   F.   Hamilton. 

In  Tenth  Annual  Session,  the  State  Council  was  entertained 
at  Calvin,  May  1-2,  1906,  with  State  Councilor  Geo.  T.  Bayless  in 
the  Chair.  There  were  S  new  Councils  instituted  since  the  last 
session  and  a  gain  of  membership  of  312. 

Brother  Hamilton,  as  Secretary-Treasurer  of  the  State  Body, 
submitted  the  following  report  as  to  the  status  of  the  State  Council 
and  the  Order  in  the  Territory: 

Number   of   Councils 28 

Number    of    Members 1,290 

Total  Receipts  of  State  Council $1,295.75 

Total  Expenses  of  State  Council 968.30 

Receipts   of   Subordinate   Councils 5,327.00 

Paid   for   Relief    5,055.45 

Worth  of  Councils 4,076.60 

In  the  adoption  of  revised  laws  at  former  session,  the  office 
of  Secretary  and  Treasurer  was  combined  under  the  term  "  State 
Council  Secretarv-Treasurer." 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  589 

The  law  relative  to  honorary  members,  as  per  revised  code, 
gave  them  the  same  rights  and  privileges  as  other  members,  that  is, 
they  shall  be  attended  to,  provided  for  in  sickness  as  other  members, 
and  in  case  of  death  they  shall  be  entitled  to  all  the  funeral  rites 
of  the  Order  and  a  burial  expense  of  not  less  than  $25.  The  law 
also  provided  that  they  shall  be  entitled  to  all  the  honors,  emolu- 
ments of  the  Order  and  to  be  entitled  to  hold  any  office  in  the  Sub- 
ordinate Council,  except  Financial  Secretary-Treasurer,  or  any 
office  in  the  State  Council  except,  that  of  State  Secretary-Treasurer, 
and  shall  be  entitled  to  vote  on  all  subjects  except  that  pertaining 
to  the  distribution  of  the  finances. 

A  resolution  adopting  the  change  of  name  from  State  Council 
of  Indian  Territory  to  State  Council  of  Oklahoma  was  passed,  pro- 
vided the  bill  in  the*  United  State  Congress,  then  pending,  making 
Oklahoma  and  Indian  Territories  the  State  of  Oklahoma  became  a 
law,  and  the  Board  of  Officers  were  authorized,  in  case  of  such 
event,  to  have  the  State  Council  Charter  changed. 

The  officers  for  ensuing  year  were  elected  as  follows : 

State  Councilor — Dr.  M.  A.  Stewart, 

State  Vice-Councilor — Charles  Russell, 

State  Council  Secretary-Treasurer — R.   F.   Hamilton, 

State  Council  Conductor — Val  Miller, 

State  Council  Warden— T.  M.  West, 

State  Council  Sentinels — R.  D.  Roberts   and  Jefferson   Quiney, 

State  Council  Chaplain — Rev.  A.  P.  Rhon^e. 

The  story  of  Juniorism  in  the  Indian  Territory,  to  the  writer, 
has  been  one  of  unusual  interest,  since  of  all  the  territories  where 
the  Order  has  been  introduced,  it  is  the  only  one  that  has  been  able 
to  maintain  its  place  in  the  family  of  State  Councils.  When  we 
take  into  consideration  the  environments  thrown  around  the  organ- 
ization in  the  territory,  without  the  advantages  of  statehood  and 
self-government,  without  money  even,  the  leaders  being  compelled 
to  go  down  into  their  pockets  to  meet  deficiencies  and  holding  on 
like  "grim  death"  to  the  old  ship;  when  this  story  is  read,  we 
have  no  hesitancy  in  stating  that  for  pluck  and  faith  on  the  part  of 
the  little  band  of  heroes  who  held  aloft  the  banner  of  the  Order, 
there  is  scarcely  a  parallel  in  the  whole  sisterhood  of  State  Councils 
under  the  supreme  jurisdiction  of  the  National  Council.  And 
it  is  a  gratifying  fact,  that  after  10  years  of  official  existence,  as  a 
State  Body,  the  Order  in  the  State  of  Oklahoma  numbers  nearly 
1,300  at  this  writing  (1906). 

The  leader  and  worker,  as  well  as  the  "tongue"  and  "fire" 
of  the  organization  in  Indian  Territory  from  its  inception,  is  our 


590  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

genial,  open-hearted  friend  and  brother,  R.  F.  Hamilton,  to  whom 
is  due,  more  than  anyone  else,  the  credit  of  maintaining  the  grand 
and  patriotic  principles  in  the  territory  as  taught  in  our  Council 
chambers.  He  was  ably  assisted  by  Past  State  Councilors  J.  F. 
Pierce,  E.  D.  Miller,  A.  C.  Eeed,  W.  A.  Riley,  Dr.  J.  A.  Cansdell, 
J.  E.  Jones  and  Geo.  T.  Bayles.  At  the  present  writing  (1906) 
Dr.  M.  A.  Stewart,  as  State  Councilor,  is  at  the  helm,  and  there  is 
every  assurance  that  the  prosperity  that  has  been  so  gratifying  the 
past  few  years  will  continue  under  his  administration.  Under  its 
new  name,  Oklahoma,  may  the  Order  take  on  renewed  vigor  and 
soon  take  its  place  with  the  older  and  more  populated  states  of  the 
Union. 


OREGON 


National  Organizer  Collins  instituted  Portland  Council,  No.  1, 
in  the  City  of  Portland,  March  17,  1893,  which  was  followed  by 
Washington,  No.  2.  Returning  to  the  state  in  December,  same 
year,  Brother  Collins  instituted  America,  No.  3,  December  26; 
Lincoln,  No.  4,  at  Oregon  City,  January  3,  1894;  Garfield,  No.  5, 
January  4;  Eureka,  No.  6,  January  5,  and  on  January  6,  1894, 
the  State  Council  of  Oregon,  was  instituted  in  due  form.  Brother 
Collins  then  instituted  John  A.  Logan,  No.  7,  on  January  11,  and 
Thaddeus  Stevens,  No.  8,  on  January  18. 

The  Order  in  the  S^tate  of  Oregon  has  had  a  strenuous  history. 
While  for  a  year  or  two  the  organization  made  fair  headway,  there 
being  11  Councils  and  1,147  members  June  30,  1894,  and  on  May 
15,  1895,  18  Councils  and  1,200  members,  yet  the  prosperity  did 
not  last  long,  as  the  standing  of  the  State  Council  December  31, 
1896,  showed  but  9  Councils  and  a  membership  of  488. 

From  this  time  the  Order  in  the  state  has  had  a  precarious 
existence,  scarcely  having  enough  Councils  to  hold  the  State  Coun- 
cil in  tact. 

The  report  of  December  31,  1904,  showed  but  6  Councils  and 
38  members,  with  value  of  Councils  placed  at  $440.57. 

The  list  of  officers  elected  at  the  session  of  1904  was  as  follows: 

State  Councilor — W.  E.  Harris, 
State  Vice-Councilor — A.  A.  Hall, 
State  Council  Secretary — Geo.   F.   Rodman, 
State  Council  Treasurer — Chas.  Hartness. 

C.  G.  Moser,  for  years,  was  prominently  connected  with  the  Na- 
tional Council  and  served  on  some  of  its  important  committees. 


CHAPTER    XXXIII 
PROCEEDINGS  OF  STATE  COUNCILS  (Continued) 

PENNSYLVANIA 

FOE  nearly  seven  years,  Washington  Council,  No.  1,  stood  alone, 
being  the  "supreme  head  of  the  Order,"  and  was  held  together 
by  the  earnest  endeavors  of  those  who  founded  it.  During  all  those 
years  the  0.  TJ.  A.  M.,  as  an  organization,  gave  the  "  boys  "  but 
little  encouragement;  but  at  a  meeting  of  their  State  Council, 
April  15,  1859,  a  committee  was  appointed  to  formulate  plans  and 
methods  by  which  to  create  a  deeper  interest  among  native  Amer- 
icans in  the  principles  taught  by  the  organization.  At  the  semi- 
annual meeting  in  October,  following,  the  committee  reported  in 
favor  of  establishing  Councils  of  the  Jr.  0.  U.  A.  M.,  in  order  to 
get  the  youth  interested  so  that  when  they  arrived  at  the  age  of  21, 
termed  "proper  age,"  they  could  be  transferred  to  the  Senior 
Order.  The  report  was  adopted,  and  in  carrying  out  the  same,  the 
following  Councils,  Jr.  0.  TJ.  A.  M.,  were  instituted: 

Dec.     5,  1859— Relief  Council,  No.  2, 

Jan.  — ,  1860— Eagle  Council,  No.  3, 

Feb.  — ,  1860— Diligent   Council,   No.   4, 

Feb.  22,  1860— Kensington  Council,  No.  5, 

Feb.  — ,  1860— Resolution  Council,  No.  6, 

Mar.    5,  1860— Harry  Clay  Council,  No.  7, 

Mar.    9,  1860 — Independent  Council,  No.  8. 

All  of  these  Councils  were  organized  by  Councils  of  the 
0.  TJ.  A.  M.  bearing  the  same  name,  with  the  exception  of  Harry 
Clay  Council,  which  was  organized  by  United  States  Council,  No.  7. 
Washington  Council,  No.  1,  Jr.  0.  TJ.  A.  M.,  instituted  all  of  the 
above  named  Councils,  whereupon,  delegates,  three  in  number,  from 
each  Council  were  appointed  to  meet  at  the  Town  Hall,  German- 
town,  March  13,  1860,  to  organize  the  State  Council  of  Penna. 

Pursuant  to  the  call  the  delegates  from  the  eight  Councils  met 
at  the  above  place,  on  the  evening  of  the  date  stated,  and  proceeded 
to  organize  the  State  Council,  23  Representatives  answering  to  their 
names.  Brother  John  R.  Fanshawe,  of  No.  1,  called  the  meeting 
to  order  and  acted  as  temporary  Chairman,  and  Brother  Edw.  S. 

59i 


592  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

Deemer  was  selected  to  act  as  Secretary.  The  first  order  of  business 
was  the  election  of  officers,  which  the  records  give  in  the  following 
order : 

Sentinel— Wm.  H.  Smith, 

Conductor — Irwin  F.  Henry, 

Warden — F.  Harpel, 

Treasurer — John  P.  Huver, 

Secretary — Edw.  S.  Deemer, 

Vice-Councilor — Chas.  Siner, 

Councilor — John  R.  Fanshawe, 

Jr.  Past  Councilor — A.  P.  Keyser. 

After  granting  charters  to  Union  Council,  No.  9,  and  Fame 
Council,  No.  10,  and  transacting  few  minor  items  of  business, 
appointing  of  committees,  etc.,  the  State  Council  adjourned  to  meet 
the  following  Tuesday.  Subsequently,  semi-monthly  meetings 
were  held  to  fully  complete  the  organization  of  the  State  Body. 
For  a  year  the  State  Council  held  meetings  quarterly,  then  semi- 
annually up  to  1876,  then  annually. 

At  the  second  meeting  of  the  body  the  motto  of  the  Order 
was  adopted,  which,  amid  the  changes  that  have  characterized  the 
organization,  remains  to-day  the  inspiring  watchword  of  the  Order 
— VIETUE,  LIBERTY  and  PATRIOTISM.  A  seal  was  adopted, 
that  of  the  coat  of  arms  of  Pennsylvania. 


PHILADELPHIA,    1861 

The  regular  session  of  the  State  Council  was  held  in  April, 
1861,  at  which  time  George  W.  Kreamer  was  elected  State  Coun- 
cilor and  Francis  J.  Weckerly  State  Vice-Councilor.  Edward  S. 
Deemer  was  elected  State  Council  Secretary;  and  it  might  be  said 
without  repeating  the  fact  of  his  reelection  each  time,  that  with 
the  exception  of  the  years  1867-1870,  when  he  was  passing  the 
chairs,  Brother  Deemer  has  been  State  Council  Secretary  from 
that  day  until  September,  1907,  when  he  declined  to  be  a  candidate. 
What  a  noble  record  is  his;  faithful,  energetic,  conscientious, 
honest,  patriotic.  From  this  session  dates  the  official  recognition 
of  our  worthy  Senior  Past  National  Councilor,  Brother  John  W. 
Calver. 

This  was  the  beginning  of  trying  times  for  the  little  band  of 
Councils,  13  in  number.  Many  members  had  answered  the  call 
of  President  Lincoln  and  had  gone  to  the  front,  and  to  such  an 
extent  did  the  enlistment  reduce  the  membership,  that  some  of  the 
Councils  could  not  hold  their  regular  meetings.     The  question  arose 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  593 

whether  it  was  right  to  enforce  the  provisions  of  the  Constitution 
on  delinquent  Councils  for  their  failure  under  the  circumstances  to 
meet  the  requirements  of  the  law.  To  show  the  patriotic  impulses 
that  throbbed  in  the  hearts  of  that  little  body  of  men  at  this 
critical  hour  of  our  country's  history,  the  following  is  taken  from 
the  record: 

"  When  it  was  resolved  that  the  present  situation  of  our  country, 
and  the  patriotism  of  the  members  of  our  Order  in  enlisting  in  its  defense, 
renders  it  inadvisable  to  do  so.  The  subject  was  then  dropped  with  this 
understanding." 

Philadelphia,  1862,  1863,  1864,  1865,  1866 

During  this  period,  from  nine  to  14  members  attended  the 
State  Council  sessions.  Francis  J.  Weckerly  was  elected  State 
Councilor  in  1862,  Frank  C.  Harmstadt  in  1863,  John  W.  Calver 
in  1864,  Chas.  W.  Geissel  in  1865  and  John  W.  Paul  in  1866.  At 
the  latter  session  Brother  John  W.  Calver  was  elected  State  Council 
Treasurer,  to  which  position  he  has  been  reelected  at  every  subse- 
quent session  up  to  the  present  time  (1907). 

But  little  business  was  transacted  during  this  period,  only 
that  of  the  necessary  routine  character.  Quite  a  number  of  the 
members  of  the  Order  had  fallen  in  defense  of  the  flag,  and 
Councils  had  suspended  in  consequence  of  the  depletion  of  their 
ranks  by  enlistments.  Washington  Council,  No.  1,  the  "mother 
Council,"  having  been  suspended  owing  to  inability  to  hold  its 
meetings,  was  reported  reorganized  at  the  session  of  1865. 

At  the  session  of  1866,  it  was  agreed  that  the  Bible  should 
be  read  at  the  opening  of  the  State  Council,  and  that  it  could  be 
read  in  the  Subordinate  Councils  by  permission  of  the  Councils. 


PHILADELPHIA,  1867 

Twenty-six  members  were  in  attendance  at  the  annual  meeting 
of  1867,  and  in  the  election  of  officers,  Job  B.  Woodruff  and  Edward 
S.  Deemer  were  unanimously  elected  State  Councilor  and  State 
Vice-Councilor,  respectively.  Wm.  Wesley  Totheroh  was  elected 
State  Council  Secretary,  but  resigning  during  the  year,  Geo.  W.  R. 
Carteret  was  elected  in  his  stead. 

During  the  discussion  of  a  report  relative  to  the  consolidation 
of  the  P.  0.  of  Jr.  S.  of  A.  and  the  Jr.  0.  U.  A.  M.,  Brother  Calver 
was  called  to  order  for  introducing  politics  while  discussing  the 

38 


59*  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

question,  and  the  State  Councilor  sustained  the  point  of  order,  and 
on  an  appeal,  the  State  Councilor  was  sustained. 

It  was  decided  to  publish  a  paper  under  the  auspices  of  the 
Order,  the  editor  and  two  assistants  to  be  selected  by  "  scratch," 
the  persons  receiving  the  highest  number  of  scratches  to  be  editor 
and  the  next  two  highest  to  be  assistants.  Brother  Deemer  got  26 
"  scratches  "  and  was  elected  editor  and  Wm.  Totheroh  and  John 
W.  Calver  were  selected  as  assistants. 

The  Ode  now  used  by  the  Order  in  the  initiatory  ceremonies 
in  Subordinate  Councils  was  submitted  by  Brother  Deemer  and 
adopted.  The  position  of  State  Council  Chaplain  was  created,  by 
resolution,  and  Brother  John  D.  Goff  was  appointed. 


WILMINGTON,   DEL.,    1868 

Forty-three  members  answered  roll-call  at  the  annual  session 
of  1868.  The  total  receipts  for  the  year  were  $146.64,  while  the 
expenditures  were  $192.38.  Brother  Deemer  was  elevated  to  the 
Chair  of  State  Councilor,  and  Nathan  Penrose,  a  conspicuous 
and  useful  member  of  both  the  State  and  National  Councils  was 
elected  S.  V.  C. 

Two  important  questions  came  up  at  this  session:  1.  The 
granting  of  a  charter  for  and  the  institution  of  a  State  Council  in 
Delaware.  2.  The  election  of  a  committee  of  eleven  members  to 
take  into  consideration  the  establishment  of  a  National  Council, 
which  committee  at  a  subsequent  meeting  held  during  the  year, 
reported  progress  and  asked  to  be  withdrawn,  which  request  was 
granted. 

The  term  Deputy  State  Councilor  was  used  in  place  of  en- 
stalling  officer  from  this  session.  An  amendment  to  strike  out  16 
and  insert  18  was  defeated. 


HARRISBURG,    1869 

Sixty  Representatives  were  present  at  the  session  of  1869,  held 
on  April  16.  The  year  previous,  under  the  leadership  of  State 
Councilor  Deemer,  was  one  of  remarkable  success.  At  the  begin- 
ning of  the  year  there  were  in  Pennsylvania,  25  Councils  in  name, 
9  being  defunct,  3  in  New  Jersey  and  5  in  Delaware;  Delaware, 
however,  had  its  own  State  Council,  which  gave  Brother  Deemer 
19  Councils  in  good  standing  at  the  opening  of  his  term.  At  the 
close  of  the  year's  work  he  had  55  Councils  in  Pennsylvania,  7  in 
New  Jersey  and  one  in  Ohio,  making  63  in  all. 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  595 

Nathan  Penrose  was  elected  State  Councilor  and  John  D. 
Goff,  S.  V.  C,  and  the  State  Body  resolved  to  meet  semi-annually, 
holding  its  first  semi-annual  session  at  Easton.  The  new  laws 
simplified  the  method  of  transacting  business;  the  ratio  of  repre- 
sentation was  changed  from  four  to  two  and  the  standing  com- 
mittees were  reduced  to  four  in  number.  The  State  of  New  Jersey 
had  become  independent,  a  State  Council  having  been  instituted. 

A  very  important  committee,  with  power  to  act,  was  appointed 
at  the  Easton  session,  consisting  of  five  members  to  confer  with 
the  State  Councils  of  New  Jersey  and  Delaware  with  reference  to 
the  institution  of  a  National  Council,  which  body  was  organized 
September  30,  1869,  and  it  became  the  Supreme  Legislative  Body 
of  the  Order. 

PHILADELPHIA,  1870,  1871,  1872 

The  sessions  for  the  above  years  were  held  in  Philadelphia, 
with  the  exception  of  one  semi-annual  session  which  was  held  at 
Wilkes-Barre  in  1871.  State  Councilor  Penrose,  in  his  report  to 
the  session  of  1870,  had  this  to  say: 

"  I  commenced  my  term  as  State  Councilor  with  Pennsylvania  as  the 
Supreme  Head  of  the  Order,  with  four  states  and  one  State  Council  under 
its  jurisdiction  and  55  Councils  in  this  State.  I  quit  it  with  a  National 
Council  organized,  with  its  jurisdiction  limited  to  its  own  state  and  87 
Subordinate  Councils  and  a  membership  increased  at  least  one-third." 

The  election  in  1870  resulted  in  placing  John  D.  Goff  and 
Charles  H.  Kurtz  over  the  State  Council  as  State  Councilor  and 
State  Vice-Councilor,  and  the  reelection  of  Brother  Deemer  as 
State  Councilor  Secretary,  after  having  so  efficiently  served  in  the 
various  Chairs  of  the  body.  Brother  Calver  was  reelected  S.  C.  T. 
I  might  add,  that  all  of  the  above  named  officers  are  "hale  and 
hearty"  and  still  active  in  the  ranks  of  the  organization  (1908). 

In  1871,  Brother  Kurtz  was  elected  State  Councilor  and  E.  H. 
Hammann  State  Vice-Councilor.  The  laws  at  this  session  were 
revised,  the  most  radical  change  being  in  the  method  of  electing 
the  State  Council  officers,  providing  for  their  election  in  the  Subor- 
inate  Councils,  the  Councilor  and  all  Past  Councilors  in  good 
standing  to  cast  the  ballot  for  the  nominees  previously  nominated. 

The  session  of  1872  was  held  on  January  16,  and  was  attended 
by  about  70  Eepresentatives.  The  statistical  report,  ending  Sep- 
tember 30,  1871,  showed  92  Councils  and  6,543  members.  The 
result  of  the  election  was  E.  H.  Hammann  for  State  Councilor 
and  S.  S.  Sibbs  for  State  Vice- Councilor. 


596  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

'      PHILADELPHIA,  1873,  1874,  1875 

The  regular  annual  sessions  were  held  in  the  above  named  city, 
while  the  semi-annual  sessions  were  held  at  Danville,  Newport  and 
Hummelstown.  At  the  session  of  1873,  S.  S.  Sibbs  was  elected 
State  Councilor  and  John  D.  Clous  S.  V.  C.  The  session  of  1874 
was  somewhat  spirited,  as  there  was  a  controversy  between  the 
State  Councilor  and  State  Council  Secretary  as  to  who  should 
be  the  custodian  of  the  Election  Keturns  from  Subordinate  Coun- 
cils. The  report  of  the  Election  Officers  declared  that  J.  J. 
Williams  had  been  elected  S.  V.  C,  and  there  being  a  vacancy  in 
the  office  of  State  Councilor,  Wm.  M.  Sharer  was  elected  by  the 
body  to  that  position. 

The  State  Vice-Councilor  soon  after  his  election  was  removed 
by  death.  At  the  regular  session  in  1875  the  result  of  the  vote  in 
Subordinate  Councils  showed  that  Benj.  H.  Miller  was  elected  State 
Vice-Councilor  and  Edw.  S.  Deemer  State  Council  Secretary  by 
a  vote  of  386  to  115  for  H.  J.  Deily.  P.  S.  C.  Penrose  was  selected 
State  Councilor,  but  resigning,  F.  M.  Cody  was  elected  to  serve  the 
ensuing  year. 

National  Councilor  Chas.  H.  Voorhees,  a  member  from  the 
State  of  Pennsylvania,  was  charged  with  not  obeying  the  instruc- 
tion of  the  State  Council  by  not  voting  to  rescind  a  certain  act  of 
censure  that  had  been  passed  upon  Brother  Deemer  at  a  previous 
session  of  the  National  Body,  and  having  been  removed  as  a  Eepre- 
sentative  to  the  National  Council,  his  office  as  National  Councilor 
was  declared  vacant.  At  a  special  session  charges  were  brought 
against  State  Vice  Councilor  Miller,  but  having  resigned,  Fred 
Eudy  was  elected  in  his  place. 


PHILADELPHIA,    1876 

The  Centennial  City  in  the  Centennial  Year  had  the  honor 
of  not  only  entertaining  the  State  Council  but  the  National  Council 
as  well.  In  conformity  to  the  change  of  the  laws  the  meeting  of 
the  State  Council  was  held  July  10,  making  an  18  months  term. 
Owing  to  the  panic,  the  State  Council  reported  a  heavy  loss  in 
members,  there  being  but  4,957. 

State  Vice-Councilor  Fred  Eudy  was  suspended  by  his  Coun- 
cil, thereby  creating  a  vacancy,  which  was  filled  by  our  good  friend, 
Brother  H.  L.  Williams.  The  report  of  S.  C.  Brother  Cody  was 
couched  in  most  beautiful  language  and  as  a  literary  production  is 
worthy  a  place  in  the  archives  of  the  Order. 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  597 

The  law  requiring  that  the  State  Council  officers  be  elected 
by  the  Past  Councilors  of  Subordinate  Councils  having  been  re- 
pealed at  the  last  session,  the  State  Council  elected  for  State 
Councilor,  Brother  H.  L.  Williams  and  for  S.  V.  C,  C.  M.  Berry. 

The  session  was  somewhat  stormy,  an  acrimonious  discussion 
having  marred  the  peace  and  harmony  of  the  session. 


PITTSBURG,  1877 

For  the  first  time  since  its  organization,  the  State  Body  met 
west  of  the  mountains,  in  the  City  of  Pittsburg,  July  6  and  7,  1877, 
there  being  less  than  60  members  present.  An  increase  of  1,500 
members  was  reported.  C.  M.  Berry  was  selected  for  S.  C.  and 
D.  G.  Evans  for  S.  V.  C. 

YORK,  1878 

At  the  annual  session  at  York,  D.  G.  Evans  and  Benj.  B. 
Naylor  were  elected  State  Councilor  and  State  Vice- Councilor,  re- 
spectively. It  was  brought  out  in  the  reports  of  the  officers  how 
an  embryo  "  insurgent  movement "  had  developed,  but  that  it  had 
"  died  a  bornin'."  The  State  Council  officers  got  in  trouble  with 
Pennsylvania  Council,  No.  20,  charges  having  been  preferred 
against  it,  but  when  notified  the  Council  proceeded  to  dispose  of 
its  property  and  spent  the  proceeds  on  a  banquet,  and  at  once 
took  steps  to  arrange  a  meeting  of  delegates  for  the  "  purpose  of 
forming  a  new  organization." 

By  a  large  majority,  the  State  Council  instructed  its  National 
Eepresentatives  to  vote  against  a  resolution  to  strike  out  the  Fifth 
Object  of  the  Order. 

altoona,  1879;  easton,  1880 

Benj.  B.  Naylor  was  elected  State  Councilor  at  the  Altoona 
session  and  Geo.  B.  Hight  State  Vice-Councilor  by  a  majority 
of  43,  36  having  voted  for  H.  Wells  Buser. 

The  State  Council  of  1880  met  at  the  City  of  Easton,  on  July 
20,  and  transacted  its  usual  business.  By  a  decisive  vote  of  61 
to  10,  the  State  Body  refused  to  instruct  its  National  Eepresenta- 
tives to  offer  in  the  National  Council  a  resolution  to  have  stricken 
out  of  the  Constitution  of  the  Order,  the  word  "  white."  By  a 
very  striking  vote,  however,  the  State  Council  instructed  its  Na- 
tional Eepresentatives  to  offer  in  that  body,  and  support  the  same, 


598  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

an  amendment  to  the  laws  of  the  Order  so  as  to  prohibit  any 
Roman  Catholic  from  becoming  a  member  of  the  Order. 

In  the  election  of  officers,  by  a  vote  of  101,  Geo.  B.  Hight  was 
elected  State  Councilor  and  G.  Howell  Arthur  State  Vice-Councilor, 
the  latter  having  received  56  votes  to  47  for  H.  J.  Deily. 


LANCASTER,    1881 

The  Twenty-second  Annual  Session  was  held  at  the  above 
place,  July  19  and  20,  1881.  Brother  G.  Howell  Arthur,  so  well 
and  favorably  known  throughout  the  entire  jurisdiction,  esteemed 
both  at  home  and  abroad,  was  unanimously  promoted  to  the  head 
of  the  Order  in  the  state  by  a  vote  of  116.  H.  Wells  Buser,  on 
the  third  ballot,  was  elected  S.  V.  C.  A  set  of  resolutions  on  the 
attempted  assassination  of  President  Garfield  was  adopted;  the 
last  resolution,  however,  was  peculiar: 

"  Resolved,  That  these  resolutions  be  entered  upon  the  Journal  and 
a  copy  forwarded  to  the  Hon.  Wayne  McVeagh  to  be  given  the  President." 

A  motion  to  strike  out  Hon.  Wayne  McVeagh  and  insert  the 
Hon.  James  G.  Blaine  was  not  agreed  to.  As  Secretary  of  State, 
the  motion  to  strike  out  Wayne  McVeagh  and  insert  Blaine  would 
have  seemed  more  appropriate. 

A  Memorial  to  Congress  setting  forth  the  evils  growing  out 
of  the  elective  franchise  being  conferred  upon  foreigners  after  five 
years  residence,  was  presented,  at  the  same  time  recommending  that 
the  qualifications  for  citizenship  should  be  twenty-one  years  resi- 
dence and  the  ability  to  read  the  Constitution  of  the  United  States 
in  the  English  language.  This  was  the  first  movement  on  the 
part  of  the  State  Body  relative  to  the  immigration  question ;  but  the 
Order  was  not  yet  ready  to  enter  the  "  arena  of  politics,"  as  the 
State  Council,  by  a  vote  of  65  to  42,  refused  to  adopt  the  Memorial 
and  resolutions.  The  unfortunate  allusion  in  the  Preamble  to  the 
causes  that  lead  to  the  attempted  assassination  of  President  Gar- 
field, charging  the  crime  to  the  "  system  of  political  spoils  and  the 
evils  of  disappointed  office-seekers,"  savored  too  strongly  of  "  fac- 
tional politics  "  which  at  that  time  had  rent  the  Republican  Party, 
hence  the  State  Council  did  not  want  to  endorse  such  sentiments. 

Again  the  State  Body  refused  to  instruct  its  Representatives 
to  the  National  Council  to  have  the  word  "  white  "  stricken  from 
qualifications  for  membership.  A  motion  that  the  National  Repre- 
sentatives vote  for  a  change  of  name  was  defeated. 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  599 

PHILADELPHIA,   1882;  ALLEGHENY,   1883 

The  annual  session  of  1882  elected  H.  Wells  Buser  State 
Councilor  by  131  votes,  and  on  third  ballot,  H.  J.  Deily  was  elected 
S.  V.  C.  A  gain  in  membership  was  announced,  964,  and  a 
growing  interest  was  reported. 

The  Twenty-fourth  Annual  Session  was  held  in  Allegheny 
City,  July  17  and  18,  1883.  Six  years  previous  the  first  session 
of  the  State  Body  held  west  of  the  Allegheny  Mountains,  was  at 
Pittsburg,  at  which  time  there  were  but  four  Councils  in  Western 
Pennsylvania.  At  this  session  there  were  20  Councils  in  the  same 
territory.  The  year  showed  quite  an  increase  in  membership,  there 
being  over  8,000  reported  enrolled,  with  the  worth  of  Councils 
aggregating  $100,000.00. 

A  resolution  instructing  the  Eepresentatives  to  the  National 
Council  to  "  present,  vote  for  and  advocate  with  all  their  ability," 
the  creation  of  a  new  office  to  be  known  as  "  Orator,"  the  same 
to  be  elected  as  the  other  officers,  was  presented  and  referred  to  a 
committee,  who  reported  that  in  their  opinion  it  was  inexpedient  to 
create  such  an  office,  and  the  same  was  concurred  in  by  the  State 
Body.  Neither  was  a  resolution  agreed  to,  to  instruct  the  National 
Representatives  to  advocate  adding  to  the  Fifth  Object  the  words 
"  and  uphold  the  reading  of  the  Holy  Bible  in  the  Public  Schools  of 
the  United  States  of  America."  The  resolution  was  defeated  by  a 
vote  of  64  to  44.  A  resolution  to  appoint  a  committee  to  draft  a 
memorial  to  Congress  praying  for  the  enactment  of  laws  to  coun- 
teract the  antagonistic  tendencies  of  Socialistic  Societies  was  de- 
feated by  a  decisive  vote. 

Brother  H.  J.  Deily  was  elected  State*  Councilor  and  J.  F. 
Koehnline  S.  V.  C. 

READING,   1884 

The  session  held  at  above  place,  July  15-17,  1884,  was  some- 
what strenuous,  owing  to  what  some  supposed,  the  arbitrary  ad- 
ministration of  the  State  Councilor,  which  developed  antagonisms, 
not  only  in  the  Board  of  Officers,  but  throughout  the  state.  Brother 
Deily  no  doubt  was  honest  and  sincere  in  rendering  his  decisions 
according  to  his  interpretation  of  the  laws  and  the  Constitution,  but 
many  of  his  suggestions  and  recommendations  were  disapproved 
as  well  as  his  rulings  overruled. 

The  election  of  officers  resulted  in  the  election  of  Brother  J.  F. 
Koehnline  for  State  Councilor  and  Geo.  H.  Harris  for  S.  V.  C. 


600  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

SCRANTON,  1885 

In  Twenty-sixth  Annual  Session,  the  State  Council  met  at 
Scranton,  July  21-23,  1885,  Brother  J.  F.  Koehnline,  State 
Councilor,  presiding.  Some  of  the  "  war  horses  "  of  the  Order 
attended  this  session,  prominent  among  whom  were  Wobensmith, 
MeCully,  Solomon,  Cranston  and  G.  Howell  Arthur. 

An  animated  discussion  took  place  on  the  report  of  the  Cre- 
dential Committee.  The  State  Councilor  reported  15  new  Councils, 
making  the  total  number  101,  with  a  membership  of  10,351,  an 
increase  of  1,351  over  the  report  of  previous  year. 

State  Council  Secretary  Deemer  being  in  a  reminiscent  mood, 
gave  a  comparison  of  the  Order  in  the  state  of  25  years  ago  with 
its  standing  at  the  time  of  this  session.  Then  the  State  had  8 
Councils  and  500  members;  now  (1885)  it  had  101  Councils  and 
10,351  members.  Of  the  24  members  who  founded  the  State 
Council,  but  three  at  that  time  were  members  of  the  Order,  and 
himself  only  of  that  trio  was  active.  Brother  Deemer  also  referred 
to  the  opposition  to  himself  for  reelection  to  the  office  he  had 
served  so  long,  continuously,  with  the  exception  of  three  years 
when  he  was  "  passing  the  chairs,"  because  of  his  age;  yet  22  years 
afterwards  he  declined  to  be  a  candidate  for  reelection,  not  because 
of  old  age,  but  because  of  his  desire  to  lead  a  more  retired  life. 

The  election  of  officers  resulted  as  follows : 

State  Councilor — Geo.  H.  Harris, 

State  Vice-Councilor — John  O.  Montanye, 

State  Council  Secretary — Edw.  S.  Deemer   (118  to  34  votes  for  Wm. 

H.  Messick),* 
State  Council  Treasurer — John  Calver    (reelected). 

The  state,  by  resolution,  was  divided  into  districts,  Eastern, 
Middle  and  Western,  as  we  have  it  to-day,  by  a  vote  of  62  to  41. 


HARRISBURG,    1886 

State  Councilor  Harris  called  the  State  Council  to  order  at 
the  Capital  City  of  the  state  in  July,  1886,  and  proceeded  to 
business,  after  a  warm  discussion  on  the  report  of  the  Credential 
Committee. 

The  State  Councilor  reported  that  progress  had  been  made, 
especially  in  the  Western  District,  which  advance  in  that  section 
he  attributed  to  the  parade  on  Washington's  Birthday  that  year, 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  601 

the  first  of  a  series  of  demonstrations  that  followed  on  February  22 
each  year,  that  wrought  up  wonderful  enthusiasm.  This  parade 
referred  to  by  the  State  Councilor  was  witnessed  by  the  writer  and 
it  made  such  an  impression  on  our  mind  that  we  lost  no  time  in 
joining  the  local  Council. 

J.  0.  Montanye  was  elected  State  Councilor  and  Harry  A.  Keil 
State  Vice-Councilor.  By  a  vote  of  146  to  43  for  W.  H.  Messick, 
Edw.  S.  Deemer  was  reelected  State  Council  Secretary,  and  by  a 
vote  of  119  to  75  for  H.  J.  Deily,  J.  W.  Calver  was  reelected  State 
Council  Treasurer. 

A  vote  amending  qualification  for  membership  by  striking  out 
16  and  inserting  18  was  taken  resulting,  ayes  72,  nays  113.  Instead 
of  calling  the  roll  at  every  session,  a  change  was  made  requiring 
but  one  call  of  the  roll  during  the  entire  meeting  of  the  State 
Body,  the  morning  of  the  second  day.  A  motion  to  instruct  the 
National  Representatives  to  vote  for  change  of  name  to  "  Order 
of  United  Americans,"  was  agreed  to  by  68  yeas  to  18  nays. 


ERIE,  1887 


The  Twenty-eighth  Session  of  the  State  Council  convened  at 
Erie,  July  19-21,  1887,  State  Councilor  Montanye  presiding. 
Forty-six  new  Councils  had  been  instituted  during  the  year  and 
4,000  more  members  added  to  the  roll  in  Subordinate  Councils. 
The  amount  received  by  the  Subordinate  Councils  for  the  year 
reached  the  enormous  sum  of  $117,034.93;  paid  for  relief, 
$34,386.90;  worth  of  Councils,  $139,651.14.  The  law  was  so 
changed  that  the  State  Council  Secretary  be  elected  for  five  years. 

A  resolution  was  adopted,  as  submitted  by  some  Subordinate 
Council,  that  Congress  be  memorialized  to  make  the  head  tax  of 
every  foreigner  five  hundred  dollars.  With  the  attitude  of  the 
average  Congressman  to-day,  such  a  resolution  now  to  be  offered  in 
Congress  would  create  a  "  storm "  when  five  dollars  seem  to  be 
exorbitant.  A  new  Committee  was  created,  named  the  "  Committee 
on  the  Objects  of  the  Order."  A  resolution  offered  by  Brother 
Collins  petitioning  Congress  to  declare  February  22  a  holiday,  was 
adopted. 

During  the  year  the  Uniformed  Rank  was  organized  at  Alle- 
gheny City,  April  14,  1887,  and  was  named  Commandery  No.  1. 
The  State  Council  endorsed  the  same.     Harry  R.   Peck,  a  well 


602  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

known  Junior,  was  Prelate  of  the  new  Organization.     The  officers 
elected  were  installed  as  follows : 

State  Councilor — Harry  A.  Keil, 

State  Vice-Councilor — S.  C.   Weadley, 

State  Council  Secretary — Edw.  S.  Deemer   (five  years), 

State  Council  Treasurer — J.  W.  Calver. 


WILKES-BARRE,    1888 

A  four-day  session  of  the  State  Council  was  held  at  Wilkes- 
Barre,  July  17-20,  1888,  State  Councilor  Keil  presiding.  Many 
who  subsequently  took  a  conspicuous  part  in  the  Order  were  enrolled 
as  Eepresentatives  at  this  session:  S.  H.  Ashbridge,  subsequently 
Mayor  of  Philadelphia,  was  there ;  so  were  Geo.  W.  Hobson,  of  No. 
1,  John  R.  Marlin,  Harry  R.  Peck,  John  K.  Emge,  Cyrus  S.  Weiss, 
I.  V.  Ptobbins,  Dr.  W.  H.  Painter,  Heber  McDowell  and  Rev.  W.  R. 
Covert,  the  latter  a  prominent  lecturer  in  the  interest  of  the 
Order.  Will  C.  Evans,  of  Pittsburg,  at  one  time  a  most  enthusiastic 
Junior,  was  the  State  Councilor's  Special  Deputy  and  gave  much 
of  his  time  to  the  work  of  organizing  and  "  making  a  record  "  for 
Brother  Keil,  and  during  the  year  travelled  4,573  miles,  instituted 
18  Councils  and  approved  44  bills  for  organizing  new  Councils. 

During  State  Councilor  Keil's  administration  there  was  a 
great  uplift  given  to  the  Order  and  a  wonderful  advance  made, 
there  being  91  Councils  chartered  and  an  increase  of  9,000  mem- 
bers. The  roll  contained  198  Councils  and  30,000  members.  Never 
in  the  history  of  the  Order  in  the  state  or  nation  up  to  this  time 
had  there  been  such  an  advance. 

When  the  votes  for  officers  were  cast,  it  was  found  that  there 
were  292  in  attendance  at  the  session.  S.  C.  Weadley  was  unani- 
mously elected  State  Councilor  and  J.  P.  Winower  State  Vice- 
Councilor.  Both  of  these  honored  brothers  have  been  transferred 
to  the  Supreme  Lodge  on  High.  Brother  Calver,  it  goes  without 
saying,  was  unanimously  reelected  State  Council  Treasurer. 


HARRISBURG,    1889 

For  the  thirtieth  time  the  State  Council  met  in  annual  con- 
vention, this  time  at  the  State  Capital,  July  16,  1889,  State 
Councilor  Weadley  presiding.  About  400  members  were  in  attend- 
ance. The  addresses  in  the  preliminary  exercises  were  delivered  by 
Mayor  Fritchey  and  Governor  James  A.  Beaver,  Chief  Executive 
of  the  Commonwealth. 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  603 

Another  great  increase  was  made,  80  new  Councils  having 
been  instituted  and  33,709  members  reported.  The  election  re- 
sulted in  the  selecting  of  J.  P.  Winower  for  State  Councilor  and 
Stephen  Collins  for  State  Vice-Councilor,  by  a  vote  of  275  to  J2G 
for  S.  A.  Bickford,  and  J.  W.  Calver  for  State  Council  Treasurer. 

JOHNSTOWN    FLOOD 

It  was  during  this  year  that  the  dreadful  calamity  befell  the 
Mountain  City  of  Johnstown,  that  moved  the  world  with  sympathy. 
Among  the  first  to  reach  the  field  of  distress  with  the  open  hand 
of  charity,  was  the  Junior  Order,  looking  after  her  own  suffering 
brethren,  burying  her  dead  and  feeding  their  hungry  ones.  The 
Board  of  Officers  at  once  donated  $500,  and  an  appeal  was  sent  to 
all  the  Councils  for  assistance  in  money  or  clothing  or  food. 
Junior  Past  State  Councilor  Harry  A.  Keil  organized  a  relief 
association  at  Pittsburg,  he  himself  being  Chairman,  Harry  R. 
Peck,  Treasurer,  and  J.  K.  Emge  and  W.  T.  Kerr,  Secretaries.  The 
following  Committee  was  appointed  to  go  to  the  stricken  city  and 
look  after  the  relief  fund  in  the  interest  of  the  members  of  the 
Order:  Stephen  Collins,  Harry  A.  Keil,  James  Cranston,  W.  T. 
Kerr  and  J.  Lindsay.  This  Committee  was  the  first  relief  commit- 
tee to  enter  the  place,  they  arriving  on  the  ground  June  2  after  a 
most  thrilling  experience,  having  to  walk  7  miles  from  the  railroad 
terminal  because  of  the  destructive  elements  wiping  the  roadbed 
out  of  existence. 

Brother  Collins  remained  constantly  on  the  ground  and  ar- 
ranged for  the  distribution  of  the  relief  fund  in  a  very  satisfactory 
manner.  About  $12,000  was  raised  by  the  Order,  exclusive  of  the 
thousands  of  dollars  contributed  in  clothing,  food,  etc.,  sent  to  the 
scene  of  distress.  About  11  members  suffered  either  in  person  or 
by  members  of  their  families,  being  drowned  or  lost. 

The  report  of  Brother  Jas.  Cranston  to  the  State  Council 
Secretary  is  too  long  to  be  included  here,  only  extracts  can  be  given 
in  this  connection. 

"  I  have  just  returned  from  Johnstown.  Saturday,  Brother  Collins 
and  myself  called  a  meeting  of  the  Jr.  O.  U.  A.  M.,  at  the  American  office. 
.  .  .  We  (the  above  named  Committee)  started  early  Sunday  morning 
and  reached  the  Conemaugh  at  Bolivar,  10  miles  below  Johnstown,  and 
from  there  up  to  our  destination,  viewed  the  most  horrible  sights,  I  believe 
a  man  ever  witnessed.  .  .  .  We  left  the  train  seven  miles  below  Johns- 
town and  walked  up  through  the  settlements  along  the  river  where  we  have 
Councils.  ...  At  Morrellville,  where  No.  206  is  located,  the  scene 
beggars   description.     The  yards   of   the   houses   along  Main   Street  were 


604  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

strewn  with  coffins  and  dead  bodies  awaiting  identification,  and  others 
being  carried  up  every  few  minutes  and  laid  in  rows  in  the  street.  .  .  . 
We  then  started  for  Johnstown  proper,  which  we  reached  after  a  long 
tramp,  through  horrors  of  horrors.  We  were  ordered  back  and  assured 
by  many  who  were  returning  that  we  could  not  get  into  the  city;  but  we 
passed  on,  and  rounding  the  hill  overlooking  the  town  we  witnessed  a 
scene  that  language  cannot  explain.  (The  writer  the  day  following  repre- 
senting the  I.  O.  O.  F.,  passed  through  the  same  experience  as  the  Com- 
mittee). .  .  .  Immediately  below  where  we  stood  at  the  Pennsylvania 
railroad  viaduct  (bridge)  was  the  wreck  of  hundreds  of  houses,  backed  up 
the  river  half  a  mile  and  heaped  on  the  shore,  containing  hundreds,  perhaps 
thousands,  of  dead  and  maimed  all  in  flames.  We  finally  got  past  the 
burning  wreck,  and  after  a  fight  with  the  crowd  reached  a  rope  bridge 
that  was  swinging  over  the  rushing  waters  below.  ...  On  the  high 
ground  we  met  several  members  of  Nos.  72  and  85,  but  found  they  were 
so  dazed  and  bewildered  that  we  could  get  but  little  information.  They 
did  not  know  anything,  poor  fellows.  One  member  was  certainly  demented ; 
another  told  me  he  had  lost  his  wife  and  three  children,  and  his  father 
and  mother,  and  others  had  like  pitiful  stories  to  tell.  .  .  .  Here  Keil 
and  I  played  out  and  could  walk  no  farther,  but  Collins,  Kerr  and  Hoffman 
continued.  .  .  .  Collins  secured  temporary  quarters  for  a  postoffice 
and  Junior  Order  headquarters  combined,  and  had  a  sheet  of  paper  marked 
and  put  up  on  the  building  and  in  a  short  time  25  of  the  boys  had  assem- 
bled. .  .  .  Here  we  met  the  wife  of  one  of  the  members  with  nothing 
on  but  an  old  calico  wrapper  and  gum  shoes,  no  underclothing  of  any  kind, 
and  without  stockings.  She  stated  that  her  shoes  had  been  pulled  from 
her  feet  while  she  was  still  in  the  wreck  by  a  Hungarian  who  carried  them 
away.    This  is  but  an  illustration  of  what  you  meet  here." 

A  full  report  of  the  receipts  and  disbursements  of  the  Exec- 
utive Committee,  consisting  of  Stephen  Collins,  Jas.  Cranston, 
W.  T.  Kerr  and  Harry  A.  Keil,  was  submitted  to  the  State  Council 
and  incorporated  in  the  State  Council  proceedings.  From  Coun- 
cils, the  following  amounts  in  cash  donations  was  received : 

Pennsylvania    $9,135.83 

New  Jersey    549.80 

Massachusetts    149.40 

Maryland    185.00 

Virginia    121.45 

Ohio    158.00 

West  Virginia    .' 11.00 

National  Council  250.00 

Total  amount  received $10,852.70 

Disbursements  by  Executive  Committee 3,408.60 

Divided  among  members  of  Johnstown 7,444.10 

It  is  worthy  of  note,  that  the  members  of  the  Committee  who 
spent  weeks  on  the  ground  looking  after  the  distribution  of  the 
relief  fund  rendered  no  bill  for  their  services  it  being  gratuitous, 
and  all  their  personal  expenses  was  borne  by  themselves. 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  605 

Brother  Chas.  H.  Temple,  of  Johnstown,  relates  an  incident 
illustrative  of  how  kindness  "heaps  coals  of  fire  upon  the  head." 
The  day  previous  to  the  flood,  a  parade  took  place  in  Johnstown, 
participated  in  by  the  G.  A.  E.,  the  Jr.  0.  U.A.  M.,  and  other  so- 
cieties. Two  men,  strangers  to  each  other,  were  viewing  the  pro- 
cession, and  as  the  Juniors  passed  by  one  of  the  men  remarked, 
"  That  is  the  best  organization  in  America."  The  other  replied, 
"What!  the  American  Mechanics?  Why  they  are  a  crowd  of 
Know-Nothings  and  fanatics  who  are  opposed  to  poor  people 
coming  to  this  country." 

The  next  day  the  great  calamity  fell  upon  the  town.  The 
Junior  Order,  as  stated  above,  was  first  of  any  secret  association  to 
get  on  the  ground  and  established  headquarters.  A  woman  with 
a  babe  in  her  arms  and  a  small  child  clinging  to  her  dress,  appeared 
at  the  Junior  headquarters  asking  relief.  Ascertaining  that  her 
husband  was  not  a  member  of  the  Order,  she  was  told  that  the 
supplies  were  for  the  members  of  the  Jr.  0.  IT.  A.  M.  and  their 
families.  The  poor  woman  burst  out  weeping,  saying  i,hat  she  had 
applied  at  the  headquarters  of  the  general  relief  committee  but 
got  no  help.  The  Junior  Committee  could  stand  no  more  and 
helped  the  woman  to  clothing  and  food.  Later  in  the  day  two 
men  met  at  the  headquarters,  one  of  whom  thanked  the  Committee 
for  helping  his  wife  and  family.  The  other  gentleman  recognizing 
the  man  as  the  person  who  had  said  the  unkind  things  about  the 
Juniors,  congratulated  him  on  his  safety.  Hesitating  a  moment, 
the  man  stated  that  his  opinion  of  the  Order  had  greatly  changed 
since  the  parade,  as  the  organization  had  helped  his  wife  that 
morning  to  keep  his  family  from  starving,  and  he  was  there  to 
thank  them  and  assure  the  Committee  that  as  soon  as  his  boys 
were  old  enough  they  should  unite  with  the  Order. 


WILLI  AMSPORT,    1890 

Williamsport  opened  its  gates  to  the  State  Body,  July  15,  1890, 
holding  a  4-day  session,  State  Councilor  Winower  presiding.  The 
year  preceding  had  been  one  of  unprecedented  growth,  140  Councils 
having  been  instituted,  101  of  which  were  located  in  the  Western 
District. 

Another  appeal  had  been  sent  to  the  Councils  of  the  Order  for 
Johnstown,  this  time  to  aid  in  the  work  of  the  public  schools  of 
the  town.     The  sum  of  $2,271.88  was  raised  and  paid  over,  of 


606  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

which  Ohio  contributed  $127.25,  New  Jersey,  $130.55,  Maryland, 
$28.00  and  Enterprise  Council,  No.  1,  of  Massachusetts,  $6.00. 

The  officers  for  the  ensuing  year  were  elected  as  follows : 

State  Councilor — Stephen  Collins, 
State  Vice-Councilor — Hiram  J.  Slifer, 
State  Council  Treasurer — John  W.  Calver. 

A  resolution,  numerously  signed,  that  the  State  Council,  by 
its  endorsement,  bring  before  the  National  Council  the  question  of 
consolidation  of  the  Junior  and  Senior  organizations,  to  be  under 
the  name  of  "  Order  of  United  Americans,"  was  on  motion  laid 
on  the  table  for  twenty  years.  The  time  of  holding  the  State 
Council  meetings  was  changed  from  July  to  September. 


uniontown,   1891 

In  annual  session,  the  Thirty-seventh,  the  State  Council  met 
at  Uniontown,  September  15,  1891,  and  continued  throughout  a 
busy  session  of  four  days,  with  State  Councilor  Stephen  Collins  in 
the  Chair,  and  372  Representatives  present. 

Among  the  first  items  of  business  was  the  reference  to  the 
National  Representatives  of  a  resolution  asking  for  the  establish- 
ment of  a  new  degree,  to  be  called  the  "  Degree  of  Consistency." 
During  the  year  the  Daughters  of  America  had  been  organized, 
August  22,  1891,  with  headquarters  at  Millvale,  Allegheny  county, 
Pennsylvania,  and  a  resolution  endorsing  the  new  organization  was 
also  referred  to  the  National  Representatives. 

The  report  of  the  State  Council  officers  was  indeed  gratifying, 
as  to  the  "  high  tide  "  that  had  swept  the  State  for  Juniorism,  the 
Order  numbering  700  Councils  and  65,000  members.  Since  the 
State  Council  held  its  session  at  Erie  four  years  previous,  50,000 
persons  of  Pennsylvania  had  united  with  the  Order  and  550 
Councils  added  to  the  list.  In  the  history  of  secret  fraternal 
organizations,  no  such  precedent  was  ever  recorded. 

Brother  Collins  began  his  administration  under  the  most 
auspicious  surroundings,  having  the  presence  on  the  Board  of  two 
splendid  men,  Brothers  Winower  and  Slifer,  possessing  well 
trained  minds  and  having  indefatigable  energy.  But,  alas,  the 
first  of  the  trio,  Junior  Past  State  Councilor  Winower,  met  with 
an  accident  while  engaged  in  his  occupation,  from  which  he  never 
recovered  and  died  some  months  subsequent.  Starting  out  in  the 
work  with  high  ideals,  State  Vice-Councilor  Slifer  gave  promise 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  607 

of  a  useful  career,  but  after  a  few  months  a  change  of  business 
took  him  out  of  the  state,  whereupon,  Brother  Collins  all  alone  had 
to  push  the  battle;  and  to  meet  every  exigency  of  the  work,  at  a 
sacrifice  pecuniary,  he  surrendered  his  position  and  would  not  accept 
another,  and  gave  his  entire  time  to  the  Order.  Untiring  and 
earnest  work,  however,  found  its  reward  and  the  '  high  water- 
mark" of  the  Order  in  Pennsylvania  was  reached,  235  Councils 
having  been  instituted  and  the  membership  increased  nearly 
20,000.  The  report  of  the  State  Secretary,  closing  nine  months 
before,  gave  the  membership  at  56,566  and  the  number  of  Councils 
at  532;  whereas  at  the  time  of  the  session  there  were  above  700 
Councils  and  65,000  members,  making  an  increase  from  January 
1,  1890,  to  June  30,  1891,  of  29,021.  In  the  same  length  of  time 
the  receipts  of  the  Subordinate  Councils  were  $652,409.94;  paid 
for  relief,  $230,903.12,  while  the  worth  of  Councils  was  given  at 
$495,706.18.  The  receipts  of  the  State  Council  were  $27,530.18 ; 
disbursements,  $25,366.45.     State  Council  assets,  $6,524.73. 

The  State  Council  of  Pennsylvania  had  reached  a  point  of 
unweildiness.  Its  marvelous  growth  and  the  admission  of  50 
regiments  of  members  within  five  years  brought  with  it  some 
restless,  jealous  brothers  who  were  ready,  on  first  provocation,  to 
stir  up  trouble.  In  fact,  during  the  year,  in  a  warm  political 
campaign,  the  State  Councilor  was  attacked  by  certain  newspapers 
not  in  sympathy  with  the  Order.  It  was  a  "  tempest  in  a  teapot," 
and  was  incited  by  a  few  malcontents  in  the  organization. 

Notwithstanding  the  added  Jabor  to  keep  the  machinery 
moving,  with  700  Councils  to  look  after  and  65,000  members,  the 
Finance  Committee,  on  a  "  cheap  John "  basis,  recommended  a 
curtailing  of  expenses,  reducing  the  State  Councilors'  salary  from 
$1,000  to  $900,  and  his  clerk  from  $600  to  $400.  "  Consistency, 
thou  art  a  jewel."     The  recommendations  were  not  approved. 

The  State  Council  met  with  a  great  loss  in  the  death  of  Junior 
Past  State  Councilor  Winower,  and  for  the  first  time,  which  custom 
was  continued  for  many  years,  a  Memorial  sendee  was  held  presided 
over  by  the  State  Councilor,  and  addresses  were  made  by  members 
of  the  State  Body,  the  most  pathetic  and  brilliant  of  which  was 
delivered  by  Brother  Perry  A.  Shanor. 

The  election  for  officers  gave  the  following  results : 

State  Councilor — Harry  A.  Heisler, 
State   Vice-Councilor — C.   N.   Raymond, 
State  Council  Secretary — Edw.  S.  Deemer, 
State  Council  Treasurer — John  W.  Calver. 


608  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

EASTON,    1892 

Easton  entertained  the  Thirty-third  Annual  Session  of  the 
State  Council,  September  20-23,  1892,  Harry  A.  Heisler  presiding. 
The  tide  of  Juniorism  still  swept  onward,  170  Councils  having  been 
planted  and  the  membership  materially  increased. 

Brother  Deemer,  in  thought,  took  the  State  Council  back  12 
years,  when  it  met  in  Easton,  and  made  the  following  comparison : 

1880  1892 

Number  of  Councils 72  722 

Number  of  Members 5,136  78,747 

Receipts  of  Sub.  Councils $24,558.34  $770,400.69 

Paid  for  Relief 5,772.69  286,905.75 

Worth  of  Councils 53,510.69  722,937.59 

Total  receipts  of  S.  C 965.13  30,888.72 

Officers  elected: 
State  Councilor — C.  N.  Raymond,      State  Vice-Councilor — W.   T.   Kerr. 


JOHNSTOWN,   1893 

The  brothers  of  Johnstown  had  an  opportunity  of  showing 
their  appreciation  to  the  Order  for  kindness  received  in  time  of 
need,  in  entertaining  the  State  Council  in  annual  session,  September 
19-22,  1893. 

The  State  Council  of  Massachusetts  sent  the  following  unique 
greeting : 

"  The  Bay  State  to  the  Keystone,  on  this  fine  September  day, 
Sends  greetings  with  the  fond  hope  that  free  schools  here  will  stay 
Like  our  lofty  hills  so  noble,  towering  high  above  the  plain, 
So  may  this  institution  as  steadfastly  remain." 

As  referred  to  in  the  History  of  Massachusetts,  this  poetic 
effusion  came  from  the  Junior  "  poet  lauerate "  of  the  "  Bay 
State,"  Brother  Geo.  Noyes. 

C.  N.  Raymond  presided  at  the  session,  whose  report  with 
that  of  the  State  Council  Secretary,  showed  that  73  Councils  had 
been  instituted  and  the  membership  increased  to  82,741.  The 
voluminous  reports  of  the  State  officers  and  the  numerous  com- 
plaints incorporated  therein,  indicated  a  year  of  strenuosity.  The 
most  marked  feature  of  this  session  was,  that  it  was  the  "  begin- 
ning "  of  the  internal  strife  that  reached  its  climax  at  Minneapolis, 
Minn.,  in  1899.  The  "  anti-Collins  "  movement,  as  it  is  known  in 
history,  had  its  inception  here  during  his  absence  in  the  West  as 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  609 

National  Organizer.  Jealous  of  his  growing  popularity  as  a  leader 
and  a  worker  those  who  formerly  shouted  "  Hail  to  the  Chief," 
now  cried  "  Crucify  him."  The  first  move  adopted  by  the  "  cabal  " 
to  antagonize  Brother  Collins  and  his  friends  was  in  withdrawing 
the  appropriation  from  The  American  which  was  followed  up  by 
the  election  of  an  entire  '  anti-Collins  "  Board.  Up  to  this  time, 
(and  State  Council  Secretary  Deemer  bears  out  the  statement) 
there  was  no  Collins  or  anti-Collins  "  faction  "  in  Pennsylvania,  and 
it  is  fair  and  just  to  say  that  to  those  who  nine  years  after  affiliated 
with  the  insurgent  "  cabal,"  belongs  the  odium  of  inaugurating  the 
movement  that  placed  our  beloved  Order  in  jeopardy. 

Those  who  were  selected  to  have  oversight  of  the  organization 
for  the  ensuing  year  were: 

State  Councilor— W.  T.  Kerr, 

State  Vice-Councilor — E.   W.   Crane, 

State  Council  Treasurer — John  W.  Calver. 


39 


CHAPTER   XXXIV 
PROCEEDINGS  OF  STATE  COUNCILS  (Continued) 

LANCASTER,   1894 

STATE  COUNCILOR  W.  T.  KERR  presided  over  the  State 
Council  at  its  annual  session  held  at  Lancaster,  September 
18-30,  1894.  The  writer  was  admitted  to  the  State  Council  at  this 
session,  being  the  Representative  of  his  Council,  Geo.  Washington, 
No.  423,  and  was  appointed  Chaplain.  The  attendance  was  large 
and  the  body  unwieldy.  Factionalism  ran  high,  much  bitterness 
was  engendered  and  the  friends  of  the  then  existing  administration 
won  in  every  contest,  with  one  exception. 

The  year  preceding  had  been  a  memorable  one  for  the  Order 
in  the  state;  indeed  for  the  whole  national  jurisdiction,  during 
which  time  the  organization  was  brought  more  prominently  before 
the  public  than  at  any  previous  period  of  the  country's  history. 
The  "  Riverside  "  and  the  famous  "  Gallitzin "  School  cases  had 
attracted  the  attention  of  the  Order,  and  occupied  much  of  the 
time  of  the  Board  of  Officers  in  their  battle  against  sectarian  teach- 
ing in  the  public  schools  of  the  state  This  subject  has  been  given 
in  full  under  the  section  of  the  History  of  Legislation. 

Nine  hundred  and  ninety-three  dispensations  had  been  granted 
by  the  State  Councilor,  81  charters  for  new  Councils  issued,  while 
the  entire  year  was  one  of  great  activity  on  the  part  of  the  officers 
of  the  State  Body. 

The  proposed  monuments  to  be  erected  on  the  battle-field  of 
Brandywine  and  at  the  grave  of  John  Morton,  the  thirteenth 
signer  of  the  Declaration  of  Independence  whose  vote  decided  in 
favor  of  liberty,  were  endorsed  by  the  State  Council. 

To  carry  out  the  legal  proceedings  in  the  Gallitzin  School  Garb 
case,  an  appeal  had  been  sent  out  to  the  Councils  of  the  state  for 
funds,  in  response  to  which  $2,251.33  was  received  and  $2,039.06 
was  expended  in  the  prosecution  of  the  suit. 

Pursuant  to  change  of  representation  in  the  National  Body 
adopted  at  Asheville  in  June  of  same  year,  the  contest  for  National 
Representatives  was  spirited,  there  being  44  candidates  with  but  20 
6io 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  611 

to  elect,  making  in  all  32  as  the  representation  of  Pennsylvania  in 
the  National  Council. 

Five  hundred  and  thirty-three  votes  were  cast  in  the  election 
of  officers  resulting  in  the  selection  of  the  following: 

State  Councilor — Robert  W.  Crane, 
State  Vice-Councilor — C.  B.  Johnson, 
State  Council  Treasurer — J.   VV.   Calver. 

The  membership  reported  by  State  Council  Secretary  Deemer, 
as  per  date  of  December  31,  1893,  was  84,154;  however  the  report 
for  June  30,  1894,  gave  86,134.  Total  number  of  Councils  in  good 
standing,  861. 

Received  by  Subordinate  Councils $604,82 1.65 

Paid  for  Relief 245,107.20 

Worth  of  Councils 734,765.03 

National  Council  Per  Capita  Tax $8,029.60 

A  resolution  to  instruct  the  National  Representatives  to  use 
all  honorable  means  to  have  stricken  from  Law  1,  the  liquor  clause, 
was  defeated.  A  resolution  to  have  church  property  placed  on 
a  basis  of  taxation,  was  referred  to  the  Legislative  Committee. 

Memorial  services  were  held  during  the  session  for  those  who 
had  departed  during  the  year,  at  which  service  addresses  were 
made  by  Eev.  W.  C.  Weaver,  Eev.  M.  D.  Lichliter,  Wilmer  E. 
Crow,  Gustav  Bacharach,  A.  F.  Crow,  J.  W.  McCleary,  C.  B.  John- 
son, H.  J.  Deily  and  Eev.  J.  T.  Steffy. 


McKEESPORT,  1895 

What  in  Pennsylvania  was  termed  the  "  battle-ground  of 
giants  "  was  the  Thirty-sixth  Annual  Session  of  the  State  Body 
held  at  McKeesport  September  17-19,  1895,  presided  over  by  State 
Councilor  Eobert  W.  Crane. 

Without  question  this  was  the  most  strenuous  session  ever  held 
in  Pennsylvania  and  was  participated  in  by  "  giants  "  from  every 
section  of  the  state.  The  feature  of  the  session  was  the  contest 
for  State  Vice-Councilor  and  State  Council  Treasurer,  besides 
several  National  Eepresentatives.  Brother  J.  W.  Calver,  the  Nes- 
tor of  Pennsylvania  Juniorism  and  the  State  Council  Treasurer 
since  1866,  had  an  opponent  in  J.  Wells  Buser;  but  he  won  with 
"  hands  down,"  having  a  vote  of  397  to  160  for  Buser. 

The  "blood (less)  angle,"  however,  was  the  contest  for  State 
Vice-Councilor    which    was    a    triangular    affair,    between   J.    W. 


612  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

McCleary,  Chas.  P.  Lang  and  the  writer.  The  slogan  of  the 
winners  was  "  Lichliter,  Calver  and  Harmony."  The  first  ballot 
showed  the  following  result:  Lichliter  277,  Lang  187  and 
McCleary  103.  On  second  ballot,  Lichliter  had  328  votes  and 
Lang  194.  The  total  vote  cast  was  569,  resulting  in  the  following 
officers  being  elected: 

State  Councilor — C.  B.  Johnson, 

State  Vice-Councilor — Rev.  M.  D.  Lichliter, 

State  Council  Treasurer — J.   W.   Calver. 

While  there  was  much  disappointment  among  the  eastern 
members  of  the  Order  in  the  state  over  the  fact  of  not  having  the 
National  Orphans'  Home  located  at  Carlisle,  still  the  State  Coun- 
cilor during  the  previous  year  had  promulgated  the  appeal  of  the 
Orphans'  Home  Committee  for  funds,  and  there  was  a  reasonable 
response  to  same.  The  disappointment,  however,  soon  died  out  and 
Pennsylvania  learned  to  recognize  the  wisdom  of  the  present  loca- 
tion. 

During  the  year,  by  recommendation  of  the  State  Councilor, 
appeals  were  sent  by  Councils  and  individuals  to  the  City  Council 
of  Philadelphia  relative  to  purchasing  the  Ross  Mansion,  known 
as  "Flag  House  " — a  commendable  appeal  that  met  with  a  hearty 
response. 

Along  legislative  lines,  the  preceding  year  was  great  in  results 
so  far  as  the  carrying  out  of  the  principles  of  the  Order  are  con- 
cerned. The  Jr.  0.  U.  A.  M.  was  then  in  the  "heydey"  of  its 
power  in  Pennsjdvania,  and  politicians  and  legislators  trembled. 
The  substance  of  legislative  enactments  finds  its  proper  place  in 
another  part  of  this  volume;  but  suffice  it  to  state  only  in  this 
connection  the  titles  only: 

1.  The  Religious  Garb  Bill. 

2.  The  Farr  Compulsory  Education  Bill. 

3.  The  "  Nickell  Bill,"  providing  for  none  but  citizens  to  be  engaged 
on  public  works. 

4.  The  "  Flag  Bill,"  providing  that  no  other  but  the  Stars  and  Stripes 
be  permitted  to  float  from  Public  Buildings. 

The  membership  reported  by  the  State  Council  Secretary, 
December  31,  1894,  was  85,961,  being  a  gain  of  1807 ;  however,  on 
June  30,  1895,  this  number  had  been  reduced  to  82,832,  being  a 
loss  of  3,129.  The  banner  year  was  1893-1894,  the  membership 
reported  being  86,134.  From  that  date  there  was  a  gradual  decline 
each  year  until  the  administration  of  Brother  Bowers,  1898-1899, 
when  a  gain  was  reported. 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  613 

GETTYSBURG,    1896 

The  State  Council  convened  in  Thirty-seventh  Annual  Session 
at  the  historic  town  of  Gettysburg,  September  15-18,  1896,  State 
Councilor  C.  B.  Johnson  presiding.  There  was  the  usual  large 
attendance  of  Representatives,  and  the  volume  of  business  transacted 
made  a  somewhat  voluminous  pamphlet.  The  field  work  of  the 
Board  of  Officers  had  been  strenuous,  there  being  a  large  number 
of  weak  and  defunct  Councils  to  look  after.  Besides  the  Deputy 
State  Councilors,  the  State  Councilor  appointed  a  few  Special 
Deputy  State  Councilors  who  gave  special  work  in  certain  sections 
of  the  state. 

The  year  with  its  business  and  work,  also  brought  grief  to  the 
State  Body  in  the  death  of  Past  State  Councilor  Harry  A.  Keil. 
which  occurred  October  2,  1895.  Brother  Keil  was  the  prince  of 
good  fellows  and  the  manliest  of  men.  His  funeral  was  attended 
by  a  large  delegation  of  Juniors,  and  many  State  and  National 
Council  officers  were  in  attendance  acting  as  pall  bearers. 

State  Councilor  Johnson  gave  his  entire  time  in  prosecuting 
the  work  of  the  Order,  187  days  having  been  spent  in  the  field, 
during  which  time  he  traveled  9,407  miles.  The  larger  portion 
of  his  work,  and  that  which  entailed  much  labor,  was  in  visiting 
country  Councils,  some  of  them  remote  from  railroad  lines  and 
centers  of  population  where  the  presence  of  a  State  officer  was 
seldom  seen.  An  unusual  number  of  questions  came  before  the 
Board  of  Officers  to  be  "ruled  upon,"  many  of  them,  however, 
were  upon  matters  so  trivial  that  they  should  not  have  been  sent 
to  the  State  Councilor  or  brought  to  the  attention  of  the  Board 
and  then  inserted  in  the  Proceedings  of  the  State  Council.  Even 
under  the  usual  custom  that  it  was  expected  for  an  officer  of  the 
State  Council  to  publish  the  controversies  that  occurred  between 
him  and  some  other  officer  or  some  member,  much  acrimonious 
matter  was  made  public  which  should  have  been  excluded  from 
the  printed  records.  That  was  true  of  this  session,  as  there  was 
made  public  letters  that  should  have  been  kept  from  public  sight. 

An  argument  in  favor  of  a  National  Funeral  Benefit  Depart- 
ment, was  brought  out  by  an  incident  that  occurred  during  the 
year.  A  controversy  having  arisen  between  a  Council  and  the 
F.  B.  A.  of  Philadelphia  over  a  death  claim,  the  State  Councilor 
decided  that  the  claim  was  illegally  withheld  by  said  Association. 
The  following  letter  from  Cadwalader,  the  Secretary  of  said  Asso- 
ciation, is  an  evidence  of  the  wisdom  of  the  National  Council  in 
establishing  a  Funeral  Benefit  Department  of  its  own : 


614  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

"  I  have  been  instructed  to  notify  you  that  we  do  not  recognize  your 
authority  (State  Councilor's)  to  render  decision  for  the  Association  and 
most  respectfully  request  that  in  the  future  you  will  refer  all  matters 
concerning  us  to  our  Board  of  Managers." 

The  standing  of  the  Order  in  the  state  was  as  follows : 

Number  of  Councils  in  good  standing 847 

Number   of   Councils   defunct 144 

Number  not   reporting 34 

178 

Number    of    Members 81,517 

As  State  Vice-Councilor,  the  writer  had  the  following  to  say 
concerning  his  District  "  over-loaded "  with  defunct  and  non- 
reporting  Councils: 

"  The  causes  of  the  decline  of  the  Order  in  this  part  of  the  state 
are  many — all  contributing  in  defeating  the  progress  of  the  organization. 
While  it  is  true  that  factionalism  in  our  ranks  has  had  something  to  do 
with  our  condition,  still  it  is  more  of  a  '  scape  goat'  raised  for  an  excuse 
not  to  work,  the  cry  of  '  a  wolf  '  rather  than  a  fact ;  hence,  became  a  stere- 
otyped phrase  in  the  mouths  of  those  who  used  it  as  an  apology  for  not 
working  themselves  in  the  interests  of  the  Order. 

"  Never  in  the  history  of  the  organization  did  such  a  '  boom  '  sweep 
over  the  District  as  in  the  beginning  of  this  decade.  Hundreds  of  Coun- 
cils were  instituted,  some  of  which  should  never  have  had  an  existence,  and 
thousands  of  members  were  secured.  Nearly  every  village  and  hamlet 
asked  for  a  Council,  and  very  little  care  being  shown  with  reference  to 
the  material  seeking  admission,  many  were  permitted  to  enter  whose 
influence  was  far  from  good  upon  the  better  element  in  the  community. 
That  this  wave  of  mere  sentiment  was  injurious  to  the  Order,  the  sequel 
clearly  indicates.  Reaction  took  place,  which,  in  connection  with  the 
severest  panic  this  section  ever  knew,  has  caused  the  great  loss  in  this 
District,  both  in  Councils  and  members.  Thousands  through  no  fault 
of  their  own  were  forced  out  of  the  active  participation  in  the  Order  on 
account  of  the  lack  of  money;  while  other  thousands  who  connected  them- 
selves with  the  organization  under  an  impulse,  or  merely  for  the  *  loaves 
and  fishes,'  soon  dropped  out.  As  a  result  of  this  reaction  many  who 
were  at  one  time  foremost  in  every  patriotic  movement  became  indifferent 
and  ceased  from  active  duty  in  Council  work,  and  have  remained  in  a 
state  of  '  innocuous  desuetude.' 

"  Internal  dissensions  have  wrecked  many  Councils,  and  in  some 
instances  the  charters  have  been  lifted.  We  hope  in  the  near  future  to 
organize  new  Councils,  leaving  out  the  '  dog  in  a  manger  '  element,  whose 
sole  desire  is  to  either  '  rule  or  ruin.'  " 

A  resolution  was  referred  to  the  National  Eepresentatives 
that  the  Funeral  Ceremony  be  reconstructed  by  having  a  prayer 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  615 

at  the  close  and  the  privilege  of  the  members  to  strew  evergreen  or 
flowers  upon  the  casket  at  the  grave  at  the  conclusion  of  the 
services.  This  reconstruction  did  not  take  place  until  the  National 
Session  at  Nashville,  Tennessee,  in  1905. 

A  motion  asking  to  have  the  word  "  Socialism  "  stricken  from 
the  Eitual  was  referred  to  the  National  Representatives,  and 
subsequently  the  National  Body  had  the  word  stricken  out. 

The  contest  for  State  Vice- Councilor  was  spirited,  there  being 
4  candidates  in  the  field,  viz. :  Dr.  M.  P.  Dickeson,  James  A. 
Crawford,  Edw.  H.  Kambo  and  Wm.  A.  Pike.  There  were  541 
votes  cast  and  the  election  resulted  as  follows : 

State  Councilor — Rev.  M.  D.  Lichliter, 
State  Vice-Councilor — Dr.  M.  P.  Dickeson, 
State  Council  Treasurer — J.    W.   Calver. 


ALTOONA,    1897 


In  Thirty-eighth  Annual  Session,  the  State  Council  convened 
in  the  "  Mountain  City,"  Altoona,  September  21-23,  1897,  Rev. 
M.  D.  Lichliter  presiding.  Nearly  600  were  in  attendance,  the 
session  was  quite  spirited  and  at  times  exciting.  The  State  Coun- 
cil Secretary  submitted  a  complete  report  of  the  standing  of  the 
Order,  a  resume  of  which  only  is  given  here: 

Number  of  Council  chartered  and  rechartered ...  45 

Number  dissolved  or  consolidated 71 

Total  number  of  Councils  in  good  standing 826 

Net   loss    26 

Number    of    Members 78,903 

Loss    1,631 

Received   by   Subordinate   Councils $782,363.22 

Paid  for   Relief 281,676.62 

Worth   of   Councils 1,012,849.91 

Gain  in  worth  of  Councils $52,097.20 

From  the  above  figures  it  will  be  noted  that  the  Order  had 
returned  to  the  basis  of  1892,  at  which  time  there  were  815  Councils 
and  79,747  members,  high  water-mark  having  been  reached  in  1894, 
when  the  membership  was  86,134  and  the  number  of  Councils  919. 

The  reader  will  pardon  a  personal  allusion  to  himself  at  this 
point.  The  writer,  as  the  State  Councilor,  in  his  report  to  the 
State  Body  referred  to  the  wonderful  wave  of  prosperity  that  swept 
over  the  state  from  1890  to  1894,  and  how  Councils,  as  by  magic, 


616  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

sprung  into  existence  at  almost  every  cross-roads,  aided  by  liberal 
premiums  and  a  minimum  charter  list  of  12.  Secretary  Deemer, 
in  1891,  with  a  prophetic  eye,  saw  the  troubled  waters  ahead  and 
said  in  his  report  at  that  time,  "  We  are  instituting  Councils  faster 
than  we  can  maintain  them."  Even  the  Finance  Committee  at 
the  same  time  saw  danger  ahead :  "  The  past  year  fully  convinces 
us  that  the  present  rapid  gain  is  not  healthful."  Then  came  the 
desolating  panic  of  1893,  the  shadow  of  which  fell  upon  the  admin- 
istration of  the  writer  which  brought  about  the  shutting  down  of 
nearly  all  industries  and,  as  the  result,  the  suspension  of  Councils 
and  members.  As  is  usual,  following  a  "  revival  "  or  "  boom  "  in 
business,  religious  or  fraternal  organizations,  reaction  took  place 
and  for  years  it  meant  hard  work  to  stem  the  tide  of  decline. 
Furthermore,  factionalism  and  internal  strife  were  rampant  in  the 
State  organization  and  jealousies  and  prejudice  had  marked  effect 
upon  the  advance  of  the  Order.  Still  further,  indifference  and  the 
spirit  of  apathy  had  fallen  upon  the  people  and  because  of  this, 
many,  who  formerly  were  "  leaders  "  in  the  Order,  "  passed  out " 
of  the  organization  no  more  to  take  any  part  therein.  These  causes 
combined  with  the  "  sulkers "  in  the  camp,  it  is  not  at  all  a 
matter  of  wonder  that  loss  is  marked  up  against  us  at  the  end 
of  the  campaign. 

That  which  added  additional  work  to  the  State  Councilor 
was  the  session  of  the  National  Council  held  at  Pittsburg  in  the 
month  of  June,  1897,  he  having,  as  Chairman  of  the  General  Com- 
mittee, supervision  over  the  arrangements  for  entertaining  same. 

Two  recommendations  were  submitted  by  the  State  Councilor 
instructing  the  National  Representatives  to  advocate:  (1)  A  change 
of  name  to  "  Order  of  United  Americans";  (2)  The  practicability 
of  a  three-degree  Eitual.  The  first  recommendation  was  disap- 
proved while  the  second  one  carried  by  a  vote  of  254  to  185. 

The  following  enactments  were  passed  by  the  General  Assembly 
of  the  state,  all  of  them  being  supported  by  the  State  Council 
Legislative  Committee,  and  are  given  by  title  only: 

1.  To  Protect  the  American  Flag  from  Insult  and  Degredation. 

2.  Providing  for  the  Purchasing  and  Display  of  United  States  Flags 
in  Connection  with  all  School  Buildings  of  the  State. 

3.  Maintaining  the  State  Appropriation  of  $5,500,000  against  a 
reduction  of  $500,000  for  the  Public  Schools. 

4.  Changes  made  in  Compulsory  Educational  Law. 

5.  To  Validate  Indebtedness  of  School  Districts. 

f».  To  Establish  and  Aid  Public  Libraries  in  School  Districts. 


UNITED  AMERICAN   MECHANICS  617 

7.  To  Establish  Kindergartens  where  Possible. 

8.  To  Protect  School  Property. 

9.  Relative  to  Special  School  Tax. 

10.  To  permit  the  Children  the  use  of  School  Books  during  Vacation. 

11.  To  Provide  Transportation  for  School  Children. 

12.  To   authorize   the  Teaching  of  Stenography   and   Typewriting   in 
the  Common  Schools. 

13.  Removal  of  Aliens  from  Public  Institutions. 

14.  Regulating  the  employment  of  Unnaturalized  Male  Persons. 

The  bill  to  extend  the  Minimum  School  Term  to  seven  months 
was  defeated  by  a  vote  of  90  to  78,  lacking  a  constitutional  majority. 

The  session  closed  with  the  following  officers: 

State  Councilor — Dr.  M.  P.  Dickeson, 

State  Vice-Councilor — Geo.  B.  Bowers, 

State  Council  Secretary — E.  S.  Deemer    (five  years), 

State  Council  Treasurer — J.   W.   Calver. 


NEW    CASTLE,    1898 

Dr.  M.  P.  Dickeson,  State  Councilor,  presided  over  the  annual 
session  of  the  State  Council  at  its  meeting  September  20-22,  1898, 
at  the  above  named  place.  The  usual  routine  business  was  trans- 
acted, the  usual  somewhat  strenuous  contests  for  office  were  entered 
into  and  "  the  battle  of  the  giants  "  was  still  on. 

The  State  Council  Secretary  made  a  very  significant  report 
concerning  the  depletion  of  the  Order  in  the  state  by  suspensions 
since  1892.  During  those  seven  years  there  had  been  initiated  in 
the  Councils  the  remarkable  number  of  122,097,  the  highest  number 
initiated  being  in  1893,  24,982;  and  the  lowest  in  1898,  9,874. 
During  the  same  time  the  losses  by  suspension,  death  and  otherwise 
were  102,942,  leaving  a  net  gain  of  19,148.  The  year  that  showed 
the  largest  loss  was  1895,  19,497 ;  and  the  lowest  was  1892,  8,177. 
In  commenting  on  the  above  remarkable  statement,  Brother 
Deemer  said  that  of  those  initiated  within  the  seven  years,  but  15 
per  cent,  were  members  of  the  Order  at  that  time  (1898).  What 
a  commentary.  Upwards  of  90,000  members  in  seven  years  having 
dropped  out  of  the  Order  by  suspension  alone,  and  that  in  a  single 
state.  What  an  army  Pennsylvania  would  have  to-day  had  this 
fearful  cataclysm  not  come  upon  the  organization.  One  can  go 
nowhere  in  the  state  but  he  will  find  antiquated  Juniors  in  every 
walk  of  life.  Just  think  of  it !  100  regiments  of  patriots  outside 
the  fold  of  the  Order  as  the  result  of  the  "  weeding  out "  process. 


618  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

The  year  did  not  pass  without  a  "  broken  link  "  in  the  Junior 
chain.  Past  State  Councilor  Frank  T.  Weckerly,  one  of  the  links 
connecting  the  past  with  the  present,  died  June  19,  1898.  When 
the  State  Council  of  Pennsylvania  was  instituted  on  March  13, 
1860,  the  first  charter  the  body  granted  was  to  Union  Council, 
No.  9,  which  was  instituted  on  March  14,  and  Brother  Weckerly 
was  elected  the  first  Councilor  of  the  Council.  He  was  elected  State 
Councilor  in  1862  and  was  Eecording  Secretary  of  his  Council 
thirty-five  years. 

Several  resolutions  were  presented,  some  of  which  were 
adopted : 

1.  That  the  National  Representatives  be  instructed  to  work  and  vote 
to  make  such  changes  in  the  Constitution  so  as  to  prevent  the  appoint- 
ment of  any  on  Committees  but  National  Representatives. 

2.  To  abolish  the  office  of  National  Organizer. 

3.  A  resolution  submitted  by  a  self-constituted  Board  to  create  a 
State  Orphanage  Association  and  to  create  a  fund  to  maintain  the  same. 
The  paper  was  filed. 

4.  Instructing  the  National  Representatives  to  demand  the  call  of 
the  ayes  and  nays  in  the  National  Council  on  questions  the  State  Council 
instructed  them  to  vote  upon. 

5.  Protesting  against  the  National  Council  in  appropriating  money 
for  Orphans'  Home,  and  also  against  the  request  of  the  National  Councilor 
to  vote  on  the  amendment  legalizing  the  Home  at  Tiffin.  This  resolution 
was  laid  on  the  table. 

The  Election  Board  made  the  following  report: 

State  Councilor — Geo.  B.  Bowers, 
State  Vice-Council — Chas.  S.  Crall, 
State  Council  Treasurer — J.    W.   Calver. 


SCRANTON,   1899 

Brother  George  B.  Bowers,  the  fallen  Chieftain,  presided  over 
the  State  Council  at  its  Fortieth  Annual  Session,  held  at  Scranton, 
September  19-21,  1899. 

The  session  of  the  State  Council  at  Scranton  is  as  memorable 
in  the  annals  of  the  Order  as  the  session  of  the  National  Council 
held  at  Minneapolis,  Minn.,  the  same  year,  as  it  marked  the  "  part- 
ing of  the  ways  "  in  the  great  army  that  constitued  the  Order  in 
the  State  of  Pennsylvania.  The  details  of  this  unhappy  session 
have  been  told  under  the  head  of  "  The  Conflict  at  the  Crossing  of 
the  Centuries,"  hence  but  a  brief  reference  will  be  made  in  this 
connection. 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  619 

The  State  Council  Secretary  submitted  the  usual  standing  of 
the  Order,  which,  at  the  "  parting  of  the  ways  "  should  find  a  place 
here : 

Number  of  Councils 750 

Number  of  Members 79,390 

Gain    2,075 

Received   by   Subordinate   Councils $707,608.87 

Paid   for   Relief 291,089.65 

Worth  of  Councils 1,092,880.35 

The  "  Death  Angel "  again  swept  down  upon  the  State  Council, 
this  time  John  E.  Marlin  was  the  victim.  Some  one  has  said, 
"  Death  loves  a  shining  mark."  This  aphorism  is  true  when  we 
think  of  "  Johnny "  Marlin.  He  had  been  a  Representative  of 
his  Council  to  the  State  Council  for  25  years,  and  also  represented 
his  State  Council  in  the  National  Council  two  terms  of  five  years, 
and  at  the  time  of  his  death  he  was  a  member  of  the  Board  of 
Trustees  of  the  National  Orphans'  Home. 

The  following  measures  advocated  and  supported  by  the  Legis- 
lative Committee  before  the  General  Assembly  of  the  state  were 
placed  upon  the  statute  books  of  the  Commonwealth: 

1.  To  Establish  the  Minimum  School  Term  to  Seven  Months. 

2.  To  Confer  upon  School  Boards  of  Townships  the  Power  of  Board 
of  Health. 

3.  To  provide  for  Equitable  Method  of  Distributing  School 
Funds. 

The  only  repulse  the  Committee  met  was  in  the  cutting  down 
of  the  School  Appropriation  $500,000  a  year  by  the  Governor's 
veto,  that  executive  basing  his  reasons  for  the  reduction  on  the 
inadequacy  of  funds  to  meet  all  appropriations. 

The  session,  however,  before  the  conclusion  of  the  business, 
came  to  an  abrupt  end,  as  fully  recited  in  another  place.  The 
mutterings  of  the  coming  storm  had  been  heard  for  sometime, 
and  since  the  Minneapolis  session  of  the  National  Council  in  June, 
the  clouds  grew  blacker  and  the  typhoon  fell  upon  the  Order  in 
Pennsylvania  first  in  all  its  fury.  The  15  cents  per  capita  tax 
levied  by  the  National  Council  brought  on  the  conflict.  The  insur- 
gent party  resisted  this  levy  and  in  resisting  it  they  forced  the 
State  Council  to  resist  the  National  Council,  thereby  placing  it 
under  insubordination.  When  the  question  of  providing  for  the 
per  capita  tax  came  up,  the  opponents  of  the  National  Council, 
being  in  the  majority,  moved  to  levy  nine  cents  for  State  purposes 
only.     A  motion  to  amend  so  as  to  include  the  National  Council 


620  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

tax  was  defeated  by  a  vote  of  166  yeas,  the  nays,being  greatly  in 
the  majority,  were  not  counted.  Another  motion  to  levy  the 
National  Council  per  capita  tax  of  15  cents  was  made  which  was 
defeated  by  the  insurgent  majority  by  a  vote  of  182  to  324.  Fol- 
lowing this  insubordinate  act,  the  charge  of  insubordination  made 
by  the  National  Councilor  was  read  by  the  Deputy  National  Coun- 
cilor, and  by  the  fall  of  the  gavel  in  the  hands  of  the  State  Coun- 
cilor, the  State  Council  of  Pennsylvania  was  adjourned  without 
day,  its  charter  having  been  suspended. 


LANCASTER,    1900 — SPECIAL    SESSION 

The  National  Judiciary  having  lifted  the  ban  of  suspension, 
and  pursuant  to  a  demand  from  the  insurgent  party,  the  State 
Councilor  called  the  State  Council  to  meet  in  Special  Session  at 
Lancaster,  June  26,  1900.  But  to  out-Herod  Herod  the  insurgent 
leaders  had  the  sheriff  of  Dauphin  County  on  the  ground  to  serve 
a  summons  on  the  State  Board  of  Officers  to  appear  at  the  court 
house  in  Harrisburg  at  ten  o'clock  on  the  same  day  and  hour  of 
the  meeting  of  the  Special  Session,  or  be  subjected  to  contempt  of 
court.  In  view  of  these  extraordinary  proceedings,  evidently  for  a 
purpose,  the  Board  of  Officers  adjourned  the  Special  Session  to 
September  17,  the  day  previous  to  the  Annual  Session,  to  be  held 
in  the  City  of  Philadelphia.  However,  the  "  rump  convention " 
held  by  the  insurgents  elected  a  "  fake "  Board  of  Officers  and 
passed  a  resolution  seceding  from  the  National  Council. 


PHILADELPHIA,    1900 — SPECIAL  SESSION 

As  per  notice  of  adjournment  posted  on  the  door  of  the  hall 
where  the  Special  Session  at  Lancaster  was  to  have  been  held,  the 
Special  Session  at  Philadelphia  was  called  to  order  by  State  Coun- 
cilor Bowers  on  September  17,  1900,  and  the  remainder  of  the 
business  of  the  State  Council  (left  unfinished  at  Scranton  when 
the  charter  of  the  State  Body  was  suspended)  was  transacted. 

The  session  was  the  most  harmonious  that  had  been  held  for 
years,  because  of  the  fact  that  the  insurgents  did  not  attend,  they 
claiming  that  the  business  had  been  finished  and  officers  installed  at 
the  "  rump  convention  "  held  at  Lancaster.  The  first  item  of  busi- 
ness after  receiving  the  report  of  the  Credential  Committee,  was  the 
reading  of  a  protest  addressed  to  "  George  B.  Bowers,  assuming  to 
act  as  State  Councilor,"  etc.,  declaring  that  the  meeting  called  by 
Brother  Bowers  was  illegal,  and  warned  the  officers  and  Bepresen- 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  621 

tatives  against  usurping  the  powers  and  privileges  of  the  State 
Council  of  Pennsylvania  at  their  peril.  Of  course  the  presumptious 
communication  was  laid  on  the  table  never  to  be  taken  therefrom. 
A  resolution  was  submitted  ratifying,  endorsing,  and  affirming 
the  action  of  the  Board  of  Officers  in  adjourning  the  State  Council 
session  at  Lancaster  as  "  being  wise,  prudent  and  for  the  best 
interests  of  the  entire  Order  of  the  state."  The  ayes  and  nays 
were  called  upon  the  resolution  and  it  was  adopted  by  a  vote  of  128 
to  none.  The  business  of  the  session  concluded  with  the  installa- 
tion of  the  following  officers : 

State  Councilor — Charles  S.  Crall, 

State  Vice-Councilor — Z.  Taylor  Wobensmith. 


PHILADELPHIA,   1900 

The  Forty-first  Annual  Session  of  the  State  Council  was  held 
at  Philadelphia,  September  18  and  19,  1900,  with  State  Councilor 
Charles  S.  Crall  occupying  the  Chair. 

This  being  the  regular  session  of  the  Body,  the  insurgents  were 
on  hand,  as  was  their  right,  but  they  were  recognizing  their  "  fake  " 
State  Council  and  their  "  fake  "  officers  as  the  real  and  true  State 
Council  of  Pennsylvania  and  the  properly  qualified  officers  of  same; 
therefore,  this  session  was  to  be  a  very  important  one,  and,  as  the 
sequel  shows,  it  resulted  in  the  final  break  in  the  Order  of  the  state 
and  the  existence  of  two  State  Councils  and  two  set  of  officers. 
After  the  preliminary  exercises  were  concluded,  S.  D.  Wood,  State 
Vice-Councilor  of  the  "  fake  "  body  read  the  following  announce- 
ment: 

"  I  demand  my  right  and  privilege  to  perform  my  duty  as  State 
Vice-Councilor  of  the  State  Council  of  Pennsylvania,  Jr.  O.  U.  A.  M.,  and 
in  the  absence  of  the  State  Councilor,  to  open  the  session  of  the  State 
Council  of  Pennsylvania  and  preside  over  same." 

State  Councilor  Crall  refused  to  vacate  the  Chair,  whereupon 
said  Wood  demanded  a  minute  made  of  the  refusal,  stating  he 
would  not  by  force  assume  his  rightful  prerogatives.  Following  the 
report  of  the  Credential  Committee,  another  paper  purporting  to 
be  the  report  of  the  Credential  Committee,  was  read  and  same  was 
ruled  out  of  order  by  the  State  Councilor.  Hostilities  between  the 
contending  forces  broke  out  in  earnest  when  the  reading  of  the 
minutes  was  called  for.  The  minutes  of  the  Scranton  session  were 
read;  but  when  the  Secretary  commenced  reading  the  minutes  of 
the  Special  Session  held  the  day  previous  objections  were  made 
but  overruled,  and  the  reading  continued  until  the  end,  when,  on 


622  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

a  call  for  the  ayes  and  nays  as  to  the  approval  of  the  minutes,  the 
ayes  were  126,  and  nays  269.  The  minutes  of  the  Scranton  session 
were  then  approved,  and  on  motion  of  James  McCleary,  the  minutes 
of  Special  Session  of  September  17  be  rejected  and  not  be  made 
a  part  of  this  session,  was  agreed  to.  Then  came  the  "  straw 
that  broke  the  camel's  back,"  in  a  motion  by  the  said  McCleary  that 
the  minutes  of  the  "  rump  "  session  of  Lancaster,  with  its  resolution 
of  secession,  be  read,  whereupon  the  State  Council  Secretary  began 
to  read  same,  when  C.  N.  Kaymond  moved  that  the  minutes  as 
printed  be  approved,  excepting  the  resolution  (seceding  from  the 
National  Council),  action  on  which  be  deferred  till  later  in  session, 
which  motion  was  agreed  to,  notwithstanding  the  point  of  order 
raised  by  Stephen  Collins,  that  all  of  the  proceedings  of  said 
"  rump  "  session  must  be  read  as  it  virtually  amounted  to  a  recon- 
sideration. 

It  was  self-evident  to  all  that  the  final  parting  of  the  ways  had 
come  and  that  the  existence  of  two  State  Councils  in  Pennsylvania 
was  a  reality.  While  the  insurgents  had  the  numbers,  and  if  they 
had  exercised  even  good  judgment  and  not  tried  to  cram  their 
"  fake  "  Lancaster  session,  with  its  rebellious  resolution,  down  the 
throats  of  the  loyalists,  they  could  have  controlled  the  State 
Council  and  secured  the  supremacy  over  the  State  Body,  and  by 
electing  Eepresentatives  might  eventually  have  gained  the  su- 
premacy over  the  National  Council ;  while  they  had  all  this  in  their 
power  by  consistent  action,  they  "  sinned  away  their  day  of  grace  " 
and  plunged  into  the  vortex  of  gross  rebellion  to  the  constituted  au- 
thorities of  the  Order ;  while  on  the  other  hand  the  loyalists,  largely 
in  the  minority,  had  the  brains,  the  intelligence  and  the  parliamen- 
tarians, as  well  as  the  right  and  the  law,  on  their  side,  and,  as  at 
Scranton,  they  "  cut  their  way  out "  of  the  environments  of  the 
occasion,  and  on  the  reassembling  of  the  body  in  the  afternoon 
Hon.  Perry  A.  Gibson,  of  the  loyalists,  arose  and  read  the  follow- 
ing significant  paper  which  fell  as  a  thunderbolt  upon  the  ob- 
structionists, at  this  time  largely  composing  the  State  Body: 

"  According  to  the  papers  and  records  offered,  filed  and  adopted  at 
the  State  Council  session,  held  at  Odd  Fellows'  Temple  in  the  City  of 
Philadelphia  on  this  September  18,  1900,  makes  it  manifest  that  two 
State  Councils  of  the  Junior  O.  U.  A.  M.  do  now  exist,  in  this  State, 
and  as  but  one  legal  and  loyal  State  Council  can  exist,  therefore  all 
those  members  holding  allegiance  to  the  National  Council,  and  to  save 
harm  to  the  property  rights,  name  and  franchises  of  the  State  and 
National  Council  of  the  Junior  O.U.A.M.,  do  now  request  all  those  who 
do  not   so   claim,   to   withdraw  herefrom,   otherwise   those   so   claiming  do 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  62S 

hereby  adjourn  to  another  place  in  this  building  for  the  transaction  of 
such  business  as  may  be  offered,  and  to  finish  the  business  of  the  State 
Council." 

The  request  of  the  State  Councilor  for  the  insurgents  to  retire 
met,  as  it  was  expected,  with  cries  of  derision ;  whereupon  the  State 
Councilor  made  the  request  that  the  loyalists  retire,  which  they 
did  amid  the  shouts  and  jeers  of  the  insurgent  element.  Taking 
with  them  the  Charter  and  the  property  of  the  State  Council,  the 
loyalists  repaired  to  the  room  designated  and  continued  unmolested 
to  transact  in  regular  form  the  business  of  the  State  Council  of 
Pennsylvania. 

After  reassembling  the  first  thing  in  order  was  the  reconsidera- 
tion of  the  action  forced  upon  the  State  Council  by  the  insurgent 
majority  relative  to  the  minutes  of  the  Special  Session  of  the 
"  fake "  convention  of  Lancaster,  which  were  rejected  and  the 
minutes  of  the  Special  Session  of  September  17,  were  approved  as 
read. 

A  resolution  embodying  the  paper  read  by  Brother  Gibson,  as 
above  referred  to,  was  drawn  up  and  every  loyal  member  of  the 
State  Council  who  left  the  hall  below,  attached  his  name  thereto, 
one  hundred  and  twenty-two  in  number,  noble  and  true  who  pledged 
themselves  to  "  stand  by  the  stuff  "  and  fight  the  most  unreasonable 
and  unwarranted  rebellion  ever  inaugurated.  Other  resolutions 
recognizing  the  National  Council,  affirming  allegiance  thereto  and 
accepting  its  laws  as  supreme,  were  adopted  unanimously.  All  the 
amendments  of  the  National  Council  handed  down  for  concurrence 
were  also  unanimously  adopted,  by  a  vote  of  122  to  0. 

One  of  the  most  exhaustive  reports  ever  submitted  to  a  State 
Council  in  any  state  of  the  Union,  was  that  of  Brother  Geo.  B. 
Bowers,  who  from  force  of  circumstances,  held  the  position  of 
State  Councilor  for  two  years,  lacking  one  day,  and  at  this  session 
his  report  was  submitted.  It  was  a  complete  resume  of  the  whole 
controversy  presented  in  an  unbiased  and  brotherly  spirit  showing 
how  the  malcontents  had  erred  and  how  unstable  was  their  basis 
in  the  controversy  as  well  as  how  unreasonable  their  demands. 

Equally  exhaustive  was  the  report  of  State  Council  Secretary 
Deemer,  giving  in  minutest  details  the  situation  as  it  then  existed. 
His  statements  under  the  title  of  "  Why  I  Am  A  Loyalist,"  was  a 
complete  resume  of  the  Order  both  in  Pennsylvania  and  the  Na- 
tional Council,  in  which  comparisons  of  the  several  administrations 
are  given  showing  that  those  who  had  been  criticizing  the  National 


624  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

as  well  as  State  Council  for  "extravagance"  were  the  most  ex- 
travagant when  in  power,  and  that  the  membership  decreased  and 
the  finances  dwindled  when  the  persons  who  were  now  leading  the 
revolt  had  the  control  of  the  State  Body.  In  1893  when  C.  N. 
Raymond  was  elected  State  Councilor  he  found  in  the  State  Coun- 
cil treasury  $12,300.20;  in  1896  when  the  writer  assumed  the  Chair 
there  was  due  the  treasury,  $119.4-5.  During  one  of  the  adminis- 
trations between  the  above  dates  the  State  Council  Legislative 
Committee,  endorsed  by  the  Board  of  Officers,  inaugurated  the 
famous  "  lobby  "  in  Harrisburg  in  the  interest  of  legislation,  in  the 
report  of  which  the  word  "  sundries  "  formed  the  principal  item  of 
expense,  which  were  never  itemized,  for  reasons  best  known  to  those 
who  conducted  the  "  lobby."  Upon  this  point  we  quote  a  signifi- 
cant statement  from  Brother  Deemer  in  his  report  to  this  session: 

"  There  are  many  other  matters  involved  in  this  controversy.  It  is 
largely  a  struggle  for  the  loaves  and  fishes,  without  any  merit  in  it  what- 
soever. I  have  at  times  seen  what  I  considered  extravagance  in  the 
National  Council,  and  some  bills  which  I  thought  excessive,  but  never  in 
my  40  years  of  membership  have  I  seen  anything  to  equal  that  of  the 
year  1894,  in  the  State  of  Pennsylvania.  William  A.  Pike  was  Secretary 
of  the  State  Legislative  Committee  and  has  told  me  that  it  would  never 
do  to  show  an  itemized  list  of  expenditures  of  that  committee  (italics 
ours).  A  member  of  the  Finance  Committee  told  me  some  of  the  items, 
and  I  agree  with  Pike.  Immagination  could  hardly  overreach  the  items 
contained  in  the  word  '  sundries.' " 

It  has  been  asserted  outside  the  jurisdiction  of  Pennsylvania, 
that  the  leaders  of  the  Order  among  the  loyalists  in  the  old  Key- 
stone State  were,  not  only  the  instigators  of  the  disruption  in  the 
organization  but  the  perpetuators  of  the  controversy  as  well.  This 
is  a  libel  on  the  men  in  the  ranks  of  the  loyalists  who  have  been 
in  the  thick  of  the  fight  since  1899,  and  more  than  those  of  any 
other  state  have  given  more  time  and  suffered  more  severely  to 
maintain  the  honor  as  well  as  the  very  life  of  the  Order,  simply 
because  Pennsylvania  was  veritably  the  battle-ground  in  the  con- 
troversy. 

Notwithstanding  the  high-handed  proceedings  of  the  insur- 
gents and  their  determination  to  either  "  rule  or  ruin  "  the  organ- 
zation,  the  loyal  State  Council  at  this  session  held  out  the  "  olive 
branch "  and  sought  conciliation.  In  harmony  with  this  con- 
cilatory  spirit,  the  following  was  unanimously  adopted: 

"  Whereas,  It  is  the  sense  of  the  State  Council  of  Pennsylvania  now 
in  session,  that  every  effort  within  the  power  of  said  Council  should  be 
exercised  in  the  management  of  the  legal  troubles  now  existing,  or  that 
may   hereafter   exist   in   the   State   Council;    also   to   aid   and   assist   the 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  625 

officers  of  this  State  Council  in  the  management  of  such  matters  as  they 
may  ask  from  time  to  time,  therefore,  be  it 

"  Resolved,  That  a  committee  of  ten  be  appointed,  consisting  of  two 
members  from  each  of  the  three  Jr.  0.  U.  A.M.  districts  of  the  state, 
the  State  Councilor,  State  Vice-Councilor,  Jr.,  Past  State  Councilor  and 
State  Council  Secretary,  and  be  it  further 

"Resolved,  That  said  committee  shall  act  as  a  Board  of  Arbitration 
to  adjust  any  and  all  troubles  or  differences  that  may  arise  between  any 
factions  that  may  exist  within  the  Order."  • 

The  election  of  officers  resulted  as  follows: 

State  Councilor — Z.  Taylor  Wobensmith, 
State  Vice-Councilor — B.  Frank  Myers, 
State  Council  Treasurer — J.    W.   Calver. 


PHILADELPHIA,    1901 

State  Councilor  Wobensmith  presided  over  the  session  of  the 
State  Council  at  its  annual  meeting  at  above  place,  September  17 
and  18,  1901.  The  year  had  been  utilized  by  the  Board  of  Officers, 
not  so  much  in  advancing  the  Order,  but  in  saving  it  from  destruc- 
tion at  the  hands  of  the  insurgents.  The  Supreme  Court  of 
Pennsylvania  reversed  the  decision  of  the  lower  tribunal  in  the 
Derry  Council  versus  National  Council  and  State  Council  of  Penn- 
sylvania, thereby  validating  the  enactments  of  the  Minneapolis 
session  of  the  National  Body.  There  being  two  State  Councils  in 
operation  in  the  state,  the  National  Councilor  promulgated  a 
proclamation  among  the  Councils  recognizing  the  loyal  State 
Council  and  its  officers.  At  the  same  time  the  National  Judiciary 
recognized  the  loyal  State  Body,  and  after  due  trial  of  bill  of 
charges  preferred  against  certain  instigators  of  the  strife  in  Penn- 
sylvania, pronounced  upon  them  the  penalties  decreed,  viz. :  Wil- 
mer  Crow,  W.  T.  Kerr,  C.  N.  Baymond,  Evan  G.  Badger,  James  M. 
Crawford,  S.  B.  Mench  and  James  W.  McCleary  were  deemed 
guilty  of  high  crimes  against  the  Order  and  their  Councils  were 
directed  to  expell  them;  Edw.  Wilson,  C.  A.  Westerman,  Wm. 
Gundaker,  John  King,  S.  B.  Kepner,  W.  A.  Eeese  and  Henry 
Markus  were  found  guilty  in  less  degree  and  the  State  Councilor 
was  directed  to  reprimand  same,  which  was  carried  out  either  by 
himself  or  a  qualified  Deputy. 

That  the  leaven  of  discord  had  been  working  even  among  the 
loyal  Councils,  through  basest  fabrications  promulgated  by  the 
insurgent  faction,  was  evidenced  at  his  session  in  the  attempt  to 
have  James  W.  McCleary,  under  ban  of  expulsion  which  his  Council 
refused  to  carry  out,  seated  as  a  Representative.     A  protest  had 

40 


626  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

been  submitted  against  his  admission  which  was  referred  to  a  Com- 
mittee by  a  vote  of  112  to  56. 

The  proceedings  of  this  session  were  largely  filled  with  matters 
growing  out  of  the  dissensions  in  the  Order  and  the  litigation 
resultant  therefrom  either  before  the  National  Judiciary  or  the 
Courts  of  the  state.  The  work,  therefore,  of  the  Board  of  Officers 
was  more  protective  and  corrective  than  progressive  so  far  as  the 
Order  was  concerned. 

Two  years  had  passed  since  the  arch  conspirators  had  hatched 
rebellion  in  the  Order,  with  the  hope  of  building  their  own  struc- 
ture upon  the  ruins  of  the  noblest  patriotic  Order  ever  created; 
hence  it  is  natural  that  we  turn  to  the  report  of  the  State  Council 
Secretary  to  learn  the  story  of  the  ruin  wrought  and  the  present 
standing  of  the  Order  in  the  Keystone  State.  The  story  is  well 
told  by  Brother  Deemer;  but  above  the  ruins  there  shone  a  star 
of  brightening  hope  that  brought  cheer  to  the  State  Body  and  many 
in  the  Order  thanked  God  and  took  courage. 

Number  of  Councils  at  last  report   (1899)  .  .         686 
Number  of  Councils  chartered  and  rechartered  7 

Total  December  31,  1900 693 

Number  of  Councils  dissolved 10 

Number  of  Councils  forfeiting  their  charter 

or   not   reporting 386 

Total     396 

Total  number  of  Councils  Dec.  31,  1900  297 

Number  of  Members,  December  31,  1899 77,354 

Number  of  Members  initiated,  etc 6,322 

Total     • 83,676 

Number  of  Members  withdrawn,  etc 49,604 

Total  Membership  December  31,  1900.  34,072 

Membership  December  31,  1899 77,354 

Membership  December  31,  1900 34,072 

Total   loss    43,282 

Membership  June  30,   1901 34,565 

Increase  since  December  31,  1900....  493 

Received  by  Subordinate  Councils $577,095.67 

Paid  for  Relief 63,718.48 

Worth  of  Councils 502,147.06 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  627 

Brother  Deemer  commented  on  the  above  standing,  and  by 
comparison,  showed  that  the  loyal  cause  was  in  the  ascendancy 
notwithstanding  the  suspension  and  revocation  of  the  charters  of 
hundreds  of  Councils  since  the  eventful  year  of  1899.  He  referred 
to  the  loyal  phalanx  at  Scranton  standing  by  the  National  Council, 
182  in  number,  of  which  167  were  Representatives  representing  that 
many  loyal  Councils.  At  the  Philadelphia  session  of  1900  the 
"  Old  Guard  "  numbered  122,  of  which  number  109  were  Repre- 
sentatives, showing  109  Councils  loyal  to  the  Supreme  Body. 
According  to  the  report  dated  December  31,  1900,  there  were  297 
loyal  Councils,  and  at  the  close  of  the  semi-fiscal  year,  ending  June 
30,  1901,  there  were  three  hundred  and  two  Councils  true  to  the 
National  Council. 

In  July,  1901,  death  came  very  suddenly  to  an  honored  mem- 
ber of  the  State  and  National  Councils,  Dr.  Martin  H.  Williams, 
Past  National  Representative,  having  been  elected  at  the  famous 
McKeesport  session  of  1895. 

Notwithstanding  the  loss  of  membership  and  the  consequent 
heavy  loss  of  income  from  per  capita  tax  it  is  marvelous  to  state 
that  the  finances  were  in  a  splendid  condition.  The  State  Council 
receipts  and  expenditures  were  as  follows: 

In  State  Secretary's  hands,  Sept.   1,   1900 $10,385.66 

In  State  Treasurer's  hands,  Sept.  1,  1900 70.42 

Receipts  from  Sept.  1,  1900,  to  Aug.  31,  1901 7,052.93 

$17,509.01 
Amount  of  expenditures,  Sept.  1,  1900,  to  Aug.  31, 

1901     16,744.33 

Balance   on   hand $764.68 

Heavy  reductions  were  recommended  by  the  Finance  Commit- 
tee, especially  in  salaries  of  officers,  that  of  State  Councilor  being 
reduced  from  $1,000  to  $600.  The  State  Council  Secretary's  salary 
being  $1,500  a  year,  fixed  by  law,  Brother  Deemer  generously 
returned  $300  of  his  salary  to  the  State  Council.  The  estimated 
expenses  by  the  Finance  Committee  were  $9,100;  but  after  the 
schedule  had  passed  through  the  pruning  process  the  amount 
showed  $8,050. 

The  Legislative  Commitee,  consisting  of  Brothers  Cyrus  S. 
Weiss,  W.  H.  Nethery  and  Hon.  Perry  A.  Gibson,  reported  the 


628  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

results  of  their  work  along  the  line  of  legislation  enacted  by  the 
General  Assembly,  which,  by  title  is  as  follows : 

1.  Amendments  to  the  Compulsory  Educational  Law. 

2.  Relating  to  the  Study  and  Practice  of  Physical  Culture  in  the 
Public  Schools. 

3.  An  Act  Relating  to  Kindergartens  in  the  Public  Schools. 

4.  An  Act  Relating  to   Free  Libraries. 

5.  Relating  to  Condemnation  of  Real  Estate  for  Normal  School 
Purposes. 

6.  Relating  to  Night  Schools  for  Manual  Training. 

7.  To  Provide  for  the  Centralization  of  Schools. 

8.  Appropriating  a  Sum  toward  Creating  a  National  Park  at  Valley 
Forge. 

Efforts  to  keep  the  Legislature  from  "  cutting "  the  school 
appropriation  and  reducing  appropriations  to  sectarian  institutions, 
such  as  hospitals,  were  fruitful  and  much  credit  belongs  to  the 
Committee. 

The  Arbitration  Committee  of  both  State  Councils,  as  per 
appointment  at  last  session,  had  their  joint  meeting  at  which  the 
phases  of  the  controversy  were  discussed,  but  as  in  every  effort 
towards  conciliation,  the  conference  of  the  joint  Committee  ad- 
journed without  results,  the  insurgent  Committee  giving  as  their 
ultimatum  that  the  only  proposition  they  would  accept  was  the 
recognition  of  the  insurgent  State  Council  and  its  officers  as  the 
true  State  Council  of  Pennsylvania.  With  them  as  always  was 
the  case  it  was  the  "  whole  hog  or  none." 

The  ballot  for  officers  revealed  a  vote  of  187,  resulting  in  the 
election  of  the  following: 

State  Councilor — B.  Frank  Myers, 
State  Vice-Councilor — J.  C.  Bash, 
State  Council  Treasurer — J.   W.   Calver. 


PITTSBURG,   1902 

In  Forty-third  Annual  Session  the  State  Council  convened  at 
Pittsburg,  September  17  and  18,  1902,  with  State  Councilor  B. 
Frank  Myers  presiding.  The  strife  in  the  Order  throughout  the 
state  was  still  rampant,  the  insurgents  by  every  conceivable  and 
inconceivable  method  were  trying  to  dethrone  the  organization, 
not  only  promulgating  false  and  unwarranted  statements  among 
the  insurgent  Councils,  but  even  sending  their  incendiary  circulars 
into  the  camp  of  the  loyalists.  The  State  Councilor  revoked  the 
charters  of  a  large  number  of  Councils  for  not  complying  with  the 
laws,  and  thus  "  weeded  "  out  the  tares  from  the  wheat. 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  629 

It  is  not  a  matter  of  wonder  that,  under  existing  circumstances, 
there  could  be  no  increase  in  Councils  and  members;  but  it  is  a 
gratifying  fact  that  the  Board  of  Officers,  who  did  noble  service, 
held  the  Order  steady  so  that  it  held  its  own  in  the  face  of  the 
most  discouraging  conditions.  When  it  is  remembered  that  there 
were  two  State  Councils,  and  with  conflicting  doubts  on  the  part 
of  thousands  of  members  who,  in  a  sense,  were  neutral,  waiting 
the  decision  of  the  Courts,  the  Order  is  to  be  congratulated  that  it 
had  in  the  Chair  a  calm  and  deliberate  State  Councilor  who,  with 
his  hand  on  the  helm,  kept  the  old  ship  from  being  dashed  to  pieces 
on  the  treacherous  rocks  that  lay  along  the  way.  Though  there  was 
little  or  no  gain,  still  the  "  Old  Guard  "  stood  valiantly  for  the 
right  and  held  up  the  hands  of  Brother  Myers  and  his  associates 
on  the  Board. 

The  election  of  officers  revealed  the  fact  that  196  votes  were 
cast,  resulting  as  follows: 

State  Councilor — J.  C.  Bash, 
State  Vice-Councilor — Geo.   W.   Arold, 
State  Council  Secretary — Edw.    S.    Deemer, 
State  Council  Treasurer — J.   W.   Calver. 


BETHLEHEM,    1903 

State  Councilor  J.  C.  Bash  called  the  State  Council  to  order 
in  Forty-fourth  Annual  Session  at  Bethlehem  September  15,  1903. 
The  usual  preliminary  exercises  were  held,  the  addresses  of  welcome 
being  extended  by  the  Burgess,  Hon.  Robert  Taylor,  in  behalf  of 
the  town  and  by  Brother  A.  C.  Mosebach,  in  behalf  of  the  Order,  to 
which  response  was  made  by  Junior  Past  State  Councilor  B.  Frank 
Myers.  As  an  inovation,  these  addresses  were  printed  in  full  in 
the  Proceedings. 

Another  year  of  disquiet,  doubt  and  apathy  had  passed  with 
no  decision  in  the  Quo  Warranto  Case  as  to  which  was  the  real 
State  Council.  To  say  that  the  delay  was  disheartening  even  to 
the  loyal  Councils  and  members,  is  putting  it  very  mildly  The 
clouds  hung  heavy  and  dark  over  the  Order  and  progress  seemed 
handicapped,  yet  hope  in  the  hearts  of  the  leaders  never  was 
brighter  than  at  this  time. 

One  regretable  circumstance  occurred  during  the  year,  that  was 
the  defection  of  the  Councils  of  Lancaster  county,  hitherto  loyal 
to  the  National  Council,  and  their  refusal  to  pay  the  per  capita  tax 
and  submit  a  report  of  their  standing  to  the  State  Council  Secre- 


630  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

tary.  This  unfortunate  dissension  arose  over  a  set  of  resolutions 
submitted  to  the  State  Council  at  the  last  session  from  the  Kepre- 
sentatives  of  the  Lancaster  delegation.  These  resolutions  had  refer- 
ence to  certain  proposed  changes  in  the  laws  growing  out  of  the 
existing  strife  in  the  organization,  and  the  appointment  of  a  self- 
appointed  committee  on  arbitration  to  adjust  the  differences  be- 
tween the  two  bodies  of  Juniors  in  the  state.  The  subjects  as 
contained  in  the  changes  proposed  were  laid  over  for  one  year,  but 
the  idea  of  an  Arbitration  Committee  was  accepted,  however,  with 
the  personnel  of  same  changed  from  the  original.  The  action  of 
the  State  Council  did  not  meet  with  the  approbation  of  the  Lan- 
caster Councils,  whereupon  they  refused  to  meet  their  obligations; 
but  subsequently  the  differences  were  adjudicated  and  the  Councils 
were  restored.  Notwithstanding  this  a  temporary  loss,  the  State 
Council  had  made  advance  in  the  face  of  the  most  stupendous 
discouragements  that  confronted  the  Board  of  Officers.  While  the 
State  Council  Secretary  reported  to  the  National  Council  December 
31,  1902,  a  loss  of  843  members,  this,  however,  was  overcome  by  the 
report  of  June  30,  1903,  of  an  increase  over  the  December  report 
of  1,754,  which  was  further  increased  by  reports  of  August  31, 
making  the  total  membership  35,848,  or  a  gain  since  the  December 
report  of  2,546. 

The  election  of  officers  resulted  as  follows : 

State  Councilor — Geo.   W.   Arold, 
State  Vice-Councilor — E.   C.  Lafean, 
State  Council  Treasurer — J.   W.   Calver. 


TYRONE,  1904 


State  Councilor  Arold  presided  at  the  Forty-fifth  Annual  Ses- 
sion of  the  State  Council  which  convened  at  Tyrone,  September 
20,  1904. 

The  year  closed  amid  peans  of  victory  and  the  Order  took 
an  upward  leap,  because  of  the  triumph  in  the  Philadelphia  courts 
over  the  long-drawn  litigation  as  to  which  was  the  true  State 
Council  of  Pennsylvania,  Judge  Audenreid  deciding  in  favor  of 
the  loyal  State  Council.  The  decision  was  handed  down  on  May 
10,  1904,  from  which  time  there  was  a  marked  progress  in  the 
Order,  many  Councils  hitherto  holding  aloof  from  either  State 
Council  returned  to  the  fold  by  declaring  their  allegiance  to  the 
National  Council  and  the  State  Council  of  Pennsylvania.     Twenty- 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  631 

two  Councils  whose  charters  had  been  revoked  were  restored  to  the 
fellowship  of  the  Order.  In  view  of  the  return  of  these  Councils 
the  Order  made  great  advance  the  closing  months  of  the  year,  and 
according  to  the  very  latest  returns  to  the  State  Council  Secretary, 
the  membership  stood  39,514,  or  a  gain  of  about  4,400. 

Death  was  busy  during  the  year.  Past  National  Councilor 
Geo.  B.  Bowers  and  Past  State  Councilor  J.  F.  Koehnline  were 
"  gathered  to  their  fathers,"  and  appropriate  resolutions  were 
adopted.  Both  had  attended  the  National  session  at  San  Francisco, 
no  one  then  anticipating  that  their  faces  would  no  more  be  seen  in 
the  National  Body. 

The  amendments  to  the  National  Constitution,  including 
change  in  the  Objects  of  the  Order  and  the  holding  of  Biennial 
Sessions  of  the  National  Council,  were  concurred  in  unanimously 
by  a  vote  of  182. 

The  election  of  officers  resulted  as  follows: 

State  Councilor — E.  C.  Lafean, 
State  Vice-Councilor — A.   H.   Leslie, 
State  Council  Treasurer— J.   W.   Calver. 


MONONGAHELA,   1905. 

With  patriotic  pride,  Monongahela  received  the  State  Council 
in  annual  session,  September  19-21,  1905,  State  Councilor  Lafean 
in  the  Chair.  With  lavish  hands  the  local  Council,  No.  136,  gave 
a  hearty  reception  to  the  State  Body,  and  the  citizens,  by  way  of 
decorating  for  the  occasion,  exhibited  a  marked  interest  in  the 
organization.  An  old-time  parade  was  participated  in  by  the  visit- 
ing Councils  one  evening  and  patriotic  addresses  were  delivered  by 
visiting  members  of  distinction  during  the  session  of  the  body. 

The  favorable  decision  of  the  courts  relative  to  the  true  State 
Council  brought  a  large  increase  in  Councils  and  members.  The 
report  of  the  State  Council  Secretary  showed  326  Councils  and 
46,093  members,  being  a  gain  of  47  Councils  and  10,227  members. 

One  of  the  original  and  charter  members  of  the  State  Council 
of  Pennsylvania,  Past  State  Councilor  Geo.  W.  Kreamer,  died  dur- 
ing the  year.  He  was  a  member  of  Independent  Council,  No.  8, 
having  joined  it  in  1859,  making  a  continued  membership  in  a  single 
Council  of  45  years,  which,  as  Brother  Deemer  stated,  has  no  paral- 
lel. He  was  elected  State  Councilor  in  1861,  having  been  beaten 
the  year  previous  by  one  vote  for  State  Council  Secretary,  Brother 
Deemer  receiving  12  to  his  11. 


632  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

Cyrus  S.  Weiss,  F.  A.  Kopp  and  A.  M.  Van  Tine,  State 
Legislative  Committee,  reported  the  following  legislation  enacted 
in  harmony  with  the  teachings  of  the  Order: 

1.  To  permit  Children  in  Districts  where  no  High  School  exists  to 
attend  a  High  School  in  other  Districts. 

2.  Supplement  relative  to  Conveying  Real  Estate  for  School  Purposes. 

3.  Providing  a  system  of  Humane  Education  in  Public  Schools 
relative  to  Kindness  to  Birds  and  Animals. 

4.  Amending  Act  for  Compulsory  Education. 

5.  To  Regulate  the  Employment  of  Minor  Children  in  Anthracite 
Coal  Regions. 

6.  To  Regulate  the  Employment  of  Minors  about  Industrial  Estab- 
lishments. 

7.  Making  an  Appropriation  for  the  Thaddeus  Stevens  Industrial 
and  Reform  School. 

Officers  elected  for  the  ensuing  year  were: 

State  Councilor — A.  H.  Leslie, 
State  Vice-Councilor — John  G.  Fry, 
State  Council  Treasurer — J.   W.   Calver. 


WILLIAMSPORT,    1906 

The  story  of  Pennsylvania  Juniorism  is  concluded  with  the 
Forty-seventh  Annual  Session  of  the  State  Council  convened  at 
Williamsport  September  18  and  19,  1906,  State  Councilor  A.  H. 
Leslie  presiding. 

The  State  Council  Secretary  submitted  his  report  which  con- 
tinued to  be  gratifying  as  to  the  progress  of  the  Order  in  the 
Keystone  State.     It  was  as  follows: 

Number  of  Councils 349 

Number  of  Members 50,041 

Gain  for  year 3,948 

Received  by  Subordinate  Councils $509,413.00 

Paid   for   Relief 217,693.28 

Total  worth  of  Councils 987,791.01 

In  1899  on  the  eve  of  the  rebellion  in  the  Order,  by  way  of 

comparison,  the  following  resume  was  given  by  the  State  Council 

Secretary : 

Number  of  Councils 750 

Number    of    Members 79,390 

Received  by   Subordinate   Councils $707,608.87 

Paid   for   Relief 291,089.35 

Worth   of   Councils 1,092,880.35 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  633 

When  it  is  taken  into  consideration  that  at  the  outbreak  of 
strife  in  1899  the  loyalists  had  less  than  200  Councils  and  a  little 
over  30,000  members,  and  for  four  long  years  there  was  apathy, 
doubt  and  fear  occasioned  by  the  failure  of  obtaining  a  decision  as 
to  which  was  the  State  Council  the  above  growth  is  certainly 
remarkable.  But  in  finances,  the  progress  was  marvelous,  as  the 
above  report  shows.  Seven  years  before  the  Receipts  from  Subor- 
dinate Councils,  400  more  than  reported  at  this  session,  showed 
only  $198,195.87  more  than  in  1906;  amount  paid  for  Relief  but 
$73,316.37  more  and  a  fact  almost  unbelievable,  in  worth  of  Coun- 
cils, the  records  of  1899  show  but  seventy-three  thousand  three  hun- 
dred and  sixteen  dollars  and  thirty-seven  cents  more  than  in  1906. 
Surely  the  threat  of  the  insurgent  faction  made  at  Scranton  seven 
years  before  that  they  would  crush  the  loyal  body,  break  up  the 
National  Council  and  force  them  to  get  upon  their  knees  to  the 
"  rule  or  ruin  "  party,  had  come  to  naught.  The  indications  at 
this  writing  (1907)  are,  that  it  will  be  but  a  few  years  until  the 
Order  in  Pennsylvania  will  again  reach  the  high  water-mark,  if 
not  in  number  of  Councils,  it  will  in  members,  and  far  outstrip  the 
former  figures  in  financial  strength. 

The  receipts  of  the  State  Council  indicated  a  healthy  con- 
dition almost  equalling  the  palmy  days  of  the  body  before  the  item 
of  "  sundries "  depleted  the  Treasury.  The  receipts  were 
$29,742.74,  of  which  $28,864.98  was  for  per  capita  tax;  expendi- 
tures $25,638.38,  of  which  $17,577.42  was  for  National  Council  per 
capita  tax,  on  a  basis  of  42  cents  for  National  Council  and  Orphans' 
Home  purposes  and  16  cents  for  State  Council  expenses,  leaving 
a  balance  on  hand  of  $17,777.35,  from  which  should  be  deducted 
$8,788.71  for  National  Council  per  capita  tax  payable  in  October, 
leaving  a  net  balance  of  $8,988.64.  A  call  for  relief  to  aid  the 
San  Francisco  brothers  brought  in  response  thereto  the  sum  of 
$2,482.50.  With  generous  mood  and  out  <5i  their  own  pockets,  the 
members  of  the  State  Body  contributed  to  the  "  Silver  Shower  "  in 
the  interest  of  the  Orphans'  Home,  $103.13. 

The  Committee  to  compute  the  mileage  of  the  Representatives 
and  Officers  as  proposed  in  resolution  submitted  at  previous  session, 
reported  the  total  mileage  of  120,885  miles  entailing  an  expense  on 
the  State  Council  of  $3,626.55,  which  would  add  eight  cents  to 
proposed  per  capita  tax;  therefore,  in  the  opinion  of  the  Finance 
Committee,  it  was  deemed  unwise  to  adopt  the  suggested  plan. 

Again  the  black-winged  Angel  of  Death  laid  his  hand  upon  the 
State  Council,  removing  therefrom  Past  National  Councilor  Harry 


634  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

Stites,  whose  death  occurred  in  Havana,  Cuba,  while  seeking  his 
health.  Dr.  Stites  united  with- the  Order  early  in  the  70s  and 
represented  his  Council  at  the  session  of  the  State  Council  in  1873 
and  subsequently  was  chosen  one  of  the  National  Eepresentatives, 
and  in  1875  was  elected  National  Vice-Councilor  and  in  1876,  was 
promoted  to  the  Chair  of  National  Councilor. 

The  officers  placed  at  the  helm  of  the  State  Council  for  the  year 
1906-1907,  are  the  following: 

State  Councilor — J.  G.  Fry, 
State  Vice-Councilor — Oscar   F.   Hauser, 
State  Council  Secretary — Edw.   S.  Deemer, 
State  Council  Treasurer — J.    W.    Calver. 

In  this  connection,  it  might  be  well  to  state  that  the  other 
officers  are  appointive  instead  of  elective,  hence  no  list  here  is  ap- 
pended. As  is  so  well  known,  Brother  Edw.  S.  Deemer,  State 
Council  Secretary,  elected  to  that  position  at  the  institution  of 
the  State  Body  in  1860,  and,  with  the  exception  of  three  years  while 
passing  the  chairs,  has  been  reelected  at  the  close  of  the  official 
term  ever  since,  has  notified  the  State  Council,  that  at  the  expiration 
of  his  term  in  1907,  he  will  not  be  a  candidate  for  reelection. 

Thus,  briefly  the  story  of  Pennsylvania  Juniorism,  so  far  as 
the  State  Council  is  concerned,  has  been  told.  The  mother  of  all 
State  Councils,  and  for  ten  years  the  Supreme  Head  of  the  Order, 
no  State  Body  in  the  entire  National  jurisdiction  has  so  wonderful 
a  history  as  that  of  the  old  Keystone  State.  Many  of  her  sons 
have  been  prominent  both  in  the  State  and  National  Council, 
some  of  them  in  a  larger  degree  more  conspicuous  than  others, 
binding  as  with  a  fraternal  link,  the  opening  life  of  the  Order  with 
the  present  (1907).  Three  of  the  honored  brothers  of  Pennsyl- 
vania, as  with  a  golden  band,  clasp  the  birth-hour  of  the  National 
Council  and  bind  it  with  the  ever  present  now;  yea,  even  farther 
back  the  Order  has  two  links  that  bind  the  State  Council  of  Penn- 
sylvania with  the  first  decade  of  the  twentieth  century,  in  the 
only  living  delegates  to  the  convention  that  created  the  State  Coun- 
cil in  1860;  yea,  still  farther  back  than  that,  Pennsylvania  can  go 
and  furnish  at  this  time  a  member  who  is  the  only  living  charter 
member  of  the  Order  itself,  and  still  a  member  of  Washington 
Council,  No.  1. 

Therefore  as  we  look  back  retrospectively,  here  and  there  in 
Pennsylvania  stands  a  giant  oak  amid  the  mighty  fallen  forest  of 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  635 

patriots,  long  since  "  gathered  to  their  fathers."  Brother  Chas.  P. 
Haupt,  Past  National  Councilor,  stands  to-day  (1907)  as  the  only 
living  pillar  of  the  Junior  Temple,  being  the  surviving  charter 
member  of  the  Order,  enrolled  in  the  organization,  and  still  a  mem- 
ber of  Washington  Council,  No.  1.  Past  State  Councilor,  State  and 
National  Council  Secretary,  Edw.  S.  Deemer  and  Past  State  Coun- 
cilor John  P.  Fanshawe,  stand  as  two  pillars  of  the  Temple,  they 
being  the  only  living  charter  members  of  the  first  State  Council 
of  the  Order,  still  members  of  the  organization,  viz.,  Pennsylvania. 
These  two  pillars,  like  the  two  famous  columns  at  the  entrance  of 
King  Solomon's  Temple,  Boaz  and  Jachin,  adorn  the  Junior  State 
Temple  at  this  writing  (1907),  and  long  may  they  live  to  link 
the  past  with  the  present,  binding  the  two  as  with  a  band  of  gold. 
Another  unique  feature  of  Pennsylvania  Juniorism  is  its  honored 
triumvirate,  standing  at  the  entrance  of  the  National  Council,  like 
three  great  columns,  the  only  living  charter  members  of  that  body, 
still  members  of  the  Order,  Past  National  Councilor  J.  W.  Calver, 
National  Secretary  Edw.  S.  Deemer  and  Past  State  Councilor  John 
D.  Goff.  No  other  organization  of  same  age  can  show  a  record 
like  this — -five  living  links  holding  as  with  a  clasp  of  gold,  the 
budding  life  of  the  Order  itself,  the  State  Body,  as  well  as  the 
National  Council,  with  the  glorious  unfolding  of  the  present 
(1907). 

As  we  continue  to  look  back  at  "  antiquity  "  of  the  State 
Council  other  names  rise  before  us,  still  living  and  members  of 
the  Order;  John  W.  Paul,  State  Councilor  in  1866,  Chas.  H.  Kurtz, 
State  Councilor  in  1871,  Frank  M.  Cody,  State  Councilor  in  1875, 
H.  L.  Williams,  State  Councilor  in  1876,  and  Caspar  M.  Berry, 
State  Councilor  in  1877.  These  are  followed  by  Benj.  B.  Naylor, 
G.  Howell  Arthur,  H.  J.  Deily  and  John  Montanye,  who  reigned 
over  and  guided  the  State  Council  in  1879,  1881,  1883,  and  1886, 
respectively — all  still  living  among  us,  honored  and  esteemed. 

Still  living  and  more  or  less  active,  we  might  enroll  among 
the  "  fathers  "  the  following  Past  National  Eepresentatives :  E.  S. 
Kurtz,  L.  A.  Harmar,  Eobt.  L.  McCully,  A.  L.  Solomon,  Dr. 
W.  H.  Painter,  Harry  K.  Peck,  and  I.  V.  Bobbins. 

Among  the  younger  generation  of  active  spirits,  we  have  Past 
National  Councilors  James  Cranston  and  P.  A.  Shanor ;  Past  State 
Councilors  Stephen  Collins,  C.  B.  Johnson,  Dr.  M.  P.  Dickeson, 
Chas.  S.  Crall,  Z.  T.  Wobensmith,  B.  Frank  Myers,  J.  C.  Bash, 
Geo.  W.  Arold,  E.  C.  Lafean,  A.  H.  Leslie,  and  the  present  State 


636  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

Councilor  (1907)  John  G.  Fry.  Among  these  young  men,  the 
writer  finds  himself  classed  as  a  Past  State  Councilor. 

Of  Past  National  Eepresentatives,  belonging  to  the  younger 
generation,  having  served  since  1890,  we  find  the  following  brothers 
more  or  less  active  in  the  organization :  John  T.  Brant,  A.  D.  Wil- 
kin, William  Gundaker,  Geo.  W.  Hobson,  James  A.  Miller,  Cyrus 
S.  Weiss,  E.  A.  Magill,  J.  Kussell  Smith,  James  Foust,  W.  S. 
Doebler,  W.  G.  Madore,  C.  J.  Cleland,  H.  G.  Colbert,  Geo.  C. 
Schneider,  A.  G.  Wirth,  A.  J.  Eichards,  Stanley  0.  Large,  Alex. 
M.  DeHaven,  Doron  Green,  M.  V.  Tuthill,  J.  H.  Ehoads,  Eobert 
J.  McKean,  Geo.  A.  Bauer,  and  G.  B.  Eoudabush.  Those  at  the 
present  time  (1907)  representing  the  State  Council  in  the  National 
Body,  are  John  H.  Eby,  Thos.  H.  Walters,  F.  A.  Kopp,  J.  M. 
Keech,  J.  P.  Brewer,  W.  E.  Heilman,  Past  State  Councilor  E.  C. 
Lafean,  C.  B.  Connell,  L.  H.  Crick,  John  S.  Alcorn  and  Wm.  A. 
Bauer. 

The  above  brethren  are  not  to  be  considered  the  only  worthies 
in  Pennsylvania  Juniorism,  simply  because  they  have  been  espe- 
cially honored  by  the  State  Council.  If  time  and  space  permitted 
scores  of  as  worthy  brothers  could  be  named,  who  as  Eepresentatives 
to  their  State  Council  or  serving  in  some  appointive  position  at  the 
command  of  the  State  Councilor,  have  left  their  impress  upon  the 
Order.  As  we  write  they  rise  up  before  us  in  thought:  Wm.  C. 
Graham,  Frank  J.  Eagg,  D.  K.  Horner,  John  G.  Hosick,  Chas.  At- 
kinson, W.  J.  Eobinson,  Thos.  O'Shell,  Arthur  M.  Fording,  Geo. 
B.  Nesbitt,  Hon.  Chas.  F.  Heselbarth,  Albert  M.  Hamer,  Albert  S. 
Logan,  H.  G.  T.  Miller,  Phil.  German,  F.  M.  Hetrick,  Thos.  J. 
Ashford  Jr.,  J.  H.  Bisbing,  Hugh  Simons,  J.  J.  Braun,  Oscar  F. 
Hauser,  State  Vice-Councilor  (1907),  Chas.  Kauffman,  Geo.  W. 
Huber,  A.  F.  Noah,  Col.  C.  M.  Eishel,  Prof.  A.  M.  Van  Tine,  B.  H. 
Kilmer,  E.  L.  Getter,  C.  H.  Hall,  O.  T.  Eentschler,  Wm.  Linden- 
felser,  A.  M.  Hetrick,  Wm.  Hitchens,  W.  B.  Lowman,  A.  G.  Sharra, 
Geo.  S.  Ford,  Jr.,  J.  0.  Miller,  Dr.  H.  E.  Campbell,  Thos.  C.  Cook, 
Geo.  W.  Page,  H.  W.  Barclay,  J.  S.  Strickler,  W.  S.  Carter,  E.  W. 
Sisly,  Allen  M.  Seitz,  Harry  W.  Shelly,  F.  W.  Isiminger,  H.  J. 
Geisel,  Wm.  J.  Berkey,  Samuel  B.  Yohe,  C.  W.  Biddinger,  S.  P. 
Craig,  J.  A.  Martin,  Edw.  Igou,  John  A.  Jones,  Chas.  Monath, 
Thos.  D.  Watkins,  C.  H.  Kenyon,  M.  H.  Bowman,  and  many  others. 


CHAPTER    XXXV 
PROCEEDINGS  OF  STATE  COUNCILS  (Continued) 

RHODE  ISLAND 

ELMER  F.  WIDNER,  assisted  by  Past  National  Councilor 
Geo.  H.  Greenman,  of  Massachusetts,  with  members  of 
Winona  Council,  No.  63,  of  Pennsylvania,  instituted  Winona  Coun- 
cil, No.  1,  at  Woonsocket,  Rhode  Island,  February  27,  1893,  there 
being  21  applicants.  Brother  Widner  was  appointed  Deputy  Na- 
tional Councilor  of  the  state  by  National  Councilor  James  Cran- 
ston, who  reported  in  1894  Winona  as  being  the  lone  Council  of 
Rhode  Island  with  36  members  on  the  roll. 

In  April  of  1895,  National  Organizer  Orange  took  hold  of  the 
work  in  "  Little  Rhody  "  and  Washington  Council,  No.  2,  was  insti- 
tuted April  10 ;  Old  Glory,  No.  3,  on  the  30 ;  Unity,  No.  4,  May  22 ; 
Standard,  No.  5,  May  29 ;  Hope,  No.  6,  on  June  1,  1895,  and  on 
June  12,  the  State  Council  of  Rhode  Island  was  instituted,  all  by 
the  efforts  of  National  Organizer  Orange.  Nos.  2-5  were  located 
in  Providence. 

In  speaking  of  Rhode  Island  the  National  Councilor,  at  the 
session  of  1896,  referred  to  the  growth  of  the  Order  during  the  first 
year  of  the  State  Council's  history,  there  being  17  Councils  and 
600  members,  a  gain  of  8  Councils  and  390  members.  Much  of  the 
credit  of  this  gain  and  advancement  was  given  to  the  Special  Or- 
ganizer A.  A.  Jackson.  Brother  F.  A.  Potter  represented  the  State 
Council  in  the  National  Body  that  session. 

The  writer  is  very  much  indebted  to  the  State  Council  Secre- 
tary of  Rhode  Island,  Brother  A.  W.  Barrus,  for  a  condensed  resume 
of  the  State  Council  taking  same  from  a  large  record  book  kept  for 
that  purpose. 

As  with  other  states,  the  business  of  the  State  Council  was 
light  and  the  receipts  meagre,  hence  the  first  records  were  thus 
kept.  Some  of  these  Journals  the  writer  has  read  with  much 
interest  so  as  to  cull  therefrom  the  facts  desired. 

Referring  back  to  the  institution  of  the  State  Council,  the 
preliminary  meeting  was  in  charge  of  National  Organizer  Orange 

637 


638  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

who  found  present  22  Councilors  representing  9  Councils.     The 
following  officers  were  elected  and  installed: 

Junior   Past   State  Councilor — Elmer   F.   Widner, 

State  Councilor — A.  A.  Jackson. 

State  Vice-Councilor — Edward  E.  Rider, 

State  Council  Secretary — Geo.  W.  Chace, 

State  Council  Treasurer — David  Evans, 

State  Council  Warden — Richard  C.  McNair, 

State  Council  Conductor — Geo.  R.  Wakefield, 

State  Council  Sentinels — Wm.  H.  Winterbottom  and  Roland  D.  Gavitt. 

Eepresentatives  to  the  National  Council  were  selected  as  fol- 
lows: T.  J.  S.  Hopkins,  W.  F.  Monroe,  Geo.  F.  Lewis,  Fred  W. 
Alexander  and  C.  W.  Mercier. 

The  officers  were  elected  in  one  room  and  taken  to  another 
for  installation,  the  latter  being  conducted  by  D.  N.  C.  Elmer  F. 
Widner. 

The  quarterly  report  of  June  30,  1895,  showed  9  Councils  and 
202  members,  Washington  Council,  No.  2,  having  the  largest  mem- 
bership, 39,  and  Keystone  the  smallest,  11. 

On  December  31,  1895,  the  membership  had  grown  to  471 ; 
on  September  30  there  were  17  Councils  and  598  members.  De- 
cember 31,  1897,  the  membership  had  declined  to  438  and  Septem- 
ber 30,  1898,  it  had  declined  still  more,  there  being  but  11  Councils 
and  375  members.  From  that  date  until  the  present  each  quarterly 
report,  with  but  one  exception,  showed  gains  in  membership  until 
June  30,  1906,  there  were  929  members. 

The  First  Annual  Session  of  the  State  Council  was  held  at 
Woonsocket,  May  12,  1896,  A.  A.  Jackson  presiding.  In  the  elec- 
tion of  officers  the  following  was  the  result: 

State  Councilor — S.  T.  Jenks, 
State  Vice-Councilor — S.  T.  Arnold, 
State  Council  Secretary — Geo.  W.  Chace, 
State  Council  Treasurer — David  Evans. 

State  Councilor  Jenks,  owing  to  ill  health,  resigned  July  9, 
1896,  whereupon  a  special  session  of  the  State  Body  was  held 
August  4,  1896,  in  the  City  of  Providence,  and  Edward  E.  Rider 
was  elected  to  fill  out  the  unexpired  term. 


The  Second  Annual  Session  convened  at  Pawtucket,  May  11, 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  639 

1897,  State  Councilor  Rider  in  the  Chair.     Officers  for  the  ensuing 
year  were  elected  as  follows : 

State  Councilor— S.  T.  Arnold, 
State  Vice-Councilor — E.  L.  Chase, 
State  Council  Secretary — Geo.  W.  Chace, 
State  Council  Treasurer— P.  W.  Card. 


In  Third  Annual  Session  the  State  Body  met  at  Newport,  May 
10,  1898,  State  Councilor  Arnold  presiding.  The  following  officers 
were  declared  elected: 

State  Councilor — E.  L.  Chase, 
State  Vice-Councilor — Jas.    P.    Beaumont, 
State  Council  Secretary — Geo.  W.  Chace, 
State  Council  Treasurer — Walter  T.  Humes. 


For  the  fourth  time  the  State  Council  convened  in  annual 
session,  May  15,  1899 ;  E.  L.  Chase,  State  Councilor,  presided. 
The  place  of  the  meeting  was  Westerly.  The  State  Body  selected 
the  following  officers : 

State  Councilor — Jas.  P.  Beaumont, 
State  Vice-Councilor — Roland  D.  Gavitt, 
State  Council  Secretary — Geo.  W.  Chace, 
State  Council  Treasurer — W.  T.  Humes. 


In  Fifth  Annual  Convention,  the  State  Council  met  in  the 
City  of  Providence,  May  15,  1900,  State  Councilor  Beaumont  at 
the  helm.  After  the  usual  routine  business  had  been  transacted, 
the  session  closed  with  the  following  officers  for  the  ensuing  year : 

State  Councilor — Roland  D.  Gavitt, 
State  Vice-Councilor — Charles  L.  Place, 
State  Council  Secretary — Geo.  W.  Chace, 
State  Council  Treasurer — N.  F.  Arendt. 


Again  the  State  Council  convened  in  the  City  of  Providence, 
May  21,  1901,  with  State  Councilor  Gavitt  in  the  Chair.  Those 
honored  with  the  offices  of  the  State  Body  were. 

State  Councilor — Chas.  L.  Place, 
State  Vice-Councilor — Stephen   E.  Verry, 
State  Council  Secretary — A.  R.  Chandler, 
State  Council  Treasurer — John  M.  Magoon. 


640  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

In  Seventh  Annual  Session  the  State  Council  also  convened 
in  the  City  of  Providence,  October  14,  1902,  a  change  in  time  hav- 
ing previously  been  adopted.  State  Councilor  Place  presided. 
When  the  Election  Board  reported,  it  was  found  that  the  officers 
for  the  ensuing  year  were: 

State  Councilor — Stephen  E.  Verry, 
State  Vice-Councilor — A.  E.  Northup, 
State  Council  Secretary — A.  R.  Chandler, 
State  Council  Treasurer — J.  M.  Magoon. 


Providence  again  entertained  the  State  Council  in  1903,  Sep- 
tember 8,  State  Councilor  Verry  presiding.  The  election  of  officers 
resulted  in  the  following: 

State  Councilor — A.  E.  Northup, 
State  Vice-Councilor — John  Hodgins, 
State  Council  Secretary — Arthur  W.  Barrus, 
State  Council  Treasurer — J.  M.  Magoon. 


In  Ninth  Annual  Session,  the  State  Council  convened  at  Wake- 
field, September  13,  State  Councilor  N/orthup  presiding.  The  ses- 
sion came  to  a  close  with  the  following  officers  installed  for  the 
ensuing  year : 

State  Councilor — John  Hodgins, 
State  Vice-Councilor — Geo.   R.   Burdick, 
State  Council  Secretary — Arthur  W.  Barrus, 
State  Council  Treasurer — H.  E.  Humes. 

The  meeting  at  the  close  of  the  first  decade  of  the  State  Coun- 
cil of  Ehode  Island  was  held  at  Valley  Falls,  September  12,  1905, 
with  State  Councilor  Hodgins  in  the  Chair.  The  election  of  officers 
resulted  as  follows: 

State  Councilor — Geo.  R.  Burdick, 

State  Vice-Councilor — J.  Frank  Sweet, 

State  Council  Secretary — A.  W.  Barrus, 

State  Council  Treasurer — H.  E.  Humes. 


Westerly  opened  its  doors  to  the  Eleventh  Annual  Session  of 
the  State  Council,  September  11,  1906,  presided  over  by  State 
Councilor  Burdick. 

The  Order  throughout  the  state  was  in  very  good  condition, 
and  with  good  men  "  at  the  helm  "  the  prospects  for  further  ad- 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  641 

vancement  were  excellent.  The  following  statement,  submitted 
by  the  State  Council  Secretary,  shows  the  standing  of  the  Order  in 
the  state  at  this  time: 

Number    of    Councils 8 

Number   of  Members 883 

Past  State  Councilors   8 

Past    Councilors    160 

Junior    Members     715 

Total    883 

Receipts  of  Subordinate  Councils $7,369.67 

Paid  for  Benefits 2,120.30 

Worth  of  Councils 4,551.85 

Total  Amount  paid  for  Relief  in  11  years $15,878.65 

As  per  report  December  31,   1906,  membership  was  929 

Gain  for  the  year 110 

The  election  of  officers  resulted  as  follows : 

State  Councilor — J.  Frank  Sweet, 
State  Vice-Councilor — E.  C.  Lawton, 
State  Council  Secretary — Arthur  W.  Barrus, 
State  Council  Treasurer — H.  E.  Humes. 

The  records  of  the  State  Council  not  being  in  printed  form 
and  the  Minute  Book  being  quite  large  and  bulky,  it  was  not  possible 
for  the  writer  to  have  the  records  before  him  in  their  written  form, 
hence  but  little  else  than  the  place  of  meeting  and  time,  with  the 
list  of  the  four  principal  elective  officers  find  a  place  here.  As 
noted  in  the  above  outline,  the  meetings  of  the  State  Council  were 
held  annually,  and  during  the  interim  in  the  earlier  years  of  the 
State  Council  the  affairs  of  the  Order  were  in  the  hands  of  the 
Executive  Board,  consisting  of  all  the  elective  officers  and  the  Na- 
tional Representatives. 

The  State  of  Ehode  Island,  though  smallest  of  the  family  of 
states  in  the  Union,  ranks  high  in  the  Order  in  the  character  of  her 
membership  and  the  standing  and  intelligence  of  those  who  have, 
during  its  short  history,  manned  the  bark  and  guided  the  affairs 
of  the  organization.  Among  those  worthies  the  following  are 
named :  Past  State  Councilors  A.  A.  Jackson,  S.  F.  Jenks,  S.  T. 
Arnold,  Charles  L.  Place,  John  Hodgins,  A.  E.  Northrup,  Earl 
L.  Chace,  Geo.  E.  Burdick  and  Elmer  F.  Widner,  the  later  ranking 
as  Senior  Past  State  Councilor,  serving  as  Junior  Past  State  Coun- 
cilor during  the  first  year,  while  Brother  Jackson,  for  whom  the 

4i 


642  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

writer  entertains  a  high  regard,  having  sat  with  him  in  the  National 
Council,  is  Senior  Past  State  Councilor  by  service  in  the  State 
Councilor's  Chair. 

Others  who  have  been  or  are  still  prominent  are  the  following : 
Past  National  Eepresentatives  Geo.  W.  Chace,  some  years  ago  State 
Council  Secretary ;  Walter  T.  Humes,  one  year  State  Council  Treas- 
urer ;  C.  E.  Dawley,  A.  E.  Chandler,  two  years  State  Council  Secre- 
tary, and  J.  Frank  Sweet,  E.  C.  Lawton,  Arthur  W.  Barrus  and 
H.  E.  Humes,  the  present  Board  of  Officers  (1907),  serving  in  their 
respective  positions  of  State  Councilor,  State  Vice-Councilor,  State 
Council  Secretary  and  State  Council  Treasurer.  Brother  Barrus 
is  a  very  popular  and  efficient  official,  having  been  elected  to  his 
present  position  in  1903,  and  unanimously  reelected  at  each  session 
since,  and  Brother  Humes  having  served  in  his  office  since  1904. 

But  the  above  named  brethren,  though  they  have  been  or  are 
serving  in  prominent  State  and  National  positions,  are  not  the  only 
brothers  who  prominently  are  active  or  were  active  in  the  work  of  the 
Order  in  the  state.  Quite  a  number  in  the  humble  ranks  of  the 
organization  have  been  helpful  in  shaping  the  policy  of  Bhode  Island 
Juniorism,  a  few  of  whom  we  here  name :  Brothers  M.  P.  Jones, 
Frank  H.  Walling,  H.  W.  Sutcliffe,  A.  T.  Thurber,  Geo.  F.  Lewis, 
Geo.  Mason,  Chas.  M.  Huling,  Jos.  J.  Northup  and  E.  C.  Barber. 


SOUTH     CAROLINA 

Special  Organizer  Thos  B.  Ivey,  of  Virginia,  introduced  the 
Order  into  South  Carolina,  June,  1894,  by  organizing  and  institut- 
ing Columbia  Council,  No.  1.  Mountain  City  Council,  No.  2,  soon 
followed  in  September  of  same  year,  instituted  by  Special  Organ- 
izer Ivey.  National  Organizer  Walter  E.  Orange,  also  of  Virginia, 
was  sent  into  the  state  in  February,  1895,  and  as  the  result  of  his 
work,  the  following  Councils  were  instituted:  Winona,  No.  4,  on 
February  28  ;  Daniel  Morgan,  No.  5,  Marcli  8 ;  Mount  Pisgah,  No.  6, 
March  9 ;  Sumter,  No.  7,  March  20,  and  Jasper,  No.  9,  on  March 
21,  1895. 

INSTITUTION"  OF  THE  STATE  COUNCIL 

On  March  25,  1895,  National  Organizer  Orange  instituted  the 
State  Council  of  South  Carolina  at  Charleston.  In  pursuance  to 
the  call  the  Eepresentatives  of  the  various  Councils  assembled  on 
the  above  date  and  the  convention  was  called  to  order  by  the  Na- 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  643 

tional  Organizer  who  temporarily  presided  and  instituted  the  State 
Council  in  due  form,  with  the  following  officers :     . 

Junior  Past  State  Councilor — Dr.  R.  Atmar  Smith, 
State  Councilor — Edmund  Bacon, 
State  Vice-Councilor — V.  M.  Rice,  . 
State  Council  Secretary — J.  Frank  Pate, 
State  Council  Treasurer — F.  L.  Naramore, 
State  Council  Conductor — J.  H.  Nelson, 
State  Council  Warden — C.  F.  Duncan, 
State  Council  Sentinels — C.  L.  Rhanie  and  G.  S.  Wood, 
National  Representatives — Edmund  Bacon,  J.  H.  Nelson,  F.  L.  Nara- 
more, J.  Frank  Pate  and  G.  S.  Wood. 

The  per  capita  tax  was  placed  at  30  cents;  the  State  Council 
Secretary's  salary  at  $25. 

The  Second  Annual  Session  was  held  at  Columbia,  April  15, 
1896,  State  Vice- Councilor  Eice  presiding.  The  usual  routine 
business  incident  to  a  new  State  Council  was  carried  out  and  the 
brief  session  came  to  a  close  with  the  following  officers  elected,  who 
were  installed  by  Deputy  National  Councilor  Dr.  E.  Atmar  Smith : 

State  Councilor — V.  M.  Rice, 
State  Vice-Councilor — R.  M.   Baker, 
State  Council  Secretary — J.  Frank  Pate, 
State  Council  Treasurer — W.  J.  Gilmore. 


In  Third  Annual  Session,  the  State  Council  convened  at 
Charleston  April  21,  1897,  State  Vice-Councilor  Baker  presiding. 
The  Council  of  which  the  State  Councilor  was  a  member  having 
become  defunct,  his  office  was  declared,  vacant,  whereupon  State 
Vice-Councilor  E.  M.  Baker  was  elected  and  installed  in  his  place. 

Arrangements  were  formulated  by  which  the  State  Council 
could  be  represented  at  the  National  Council  by  having  the  Sub- 
ordinate Councils  pay  $100  and  the  State  Council  $50  towards 
expenses  of  the  Eepresentatives. 

The  election  of  officers  resulted  as  follows : 

State  Councilor — W.  J.  Gilmore, 
State  Vice-Councilor — James  Robinson, 
State  Council  Secretary — J.  Frank  Pate, 
State  Council  Treasurer — C.  L.  Rhame. 


Spartansburg  entertained  the  State  Council  in  Fourth  Annual 
Session,  April  19,  189S,  W.  J.  Gilmore,  State  Councilor,  presiding, 
with  about  40  members  present. 


644  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

A  resolution  was  adopted  instructing  the  National  Representa- 
tives to  advocate  and  vote  for  a  three-degree  Ritual,  to  vote  to  retain 
the  liquor  clause  in  the  laws  and  to  support  a  proposition  to  change 
the  Dame  of  the  Order  to  "  Order  of  United  Americans."  The 
above  suggestions  were  embodied  in  the  State  Councilor's  recom- 
mendations. A  motion  instructing  the  State  Legislative  Commit- 
tee to  prepare  a  plan  by  which  Compulsory  Education  could  be 
secured  was  laid  on  the  table.  A  resolution  was  adopted  instruct- 
ing the  National  Representatives  to  favor  and  vote  for  a  law  which 
would  prevent  a  State  Council  from  adopting  exclusively  as  an 
auxiliary  either  the  Daughters  of  Liberty  or  Daughters  of  America. 

The  advance  during  the  year  was  very  gratifying,  17  Councils 
having  been  chartered;  11,  however,  disbanding,  made  the  total 
only  26.  The  membership  increased  from  533  to  1,392,  a  remark- 
able gain.  Walter  Oeland,  as  State  Organizer,  did  a  noble  work, 
having  organized  and  reorganized  eight  Councils. 

The  returns  of  the  Election  Board  showed  the  following : 

State  Councilor — R.  M.  Baker   (second  term), 
State  Vice-Councilor — Jno.   Boman, 
State  Council  Secretary — J.  Frank  Pate, 
State  Council  Treasurer — C.  L.  Rhame. 


The  Fifth  Annual  Session  of  the  State  Council  was  held  at 
Columbia,  April  18,  1899,  Dr.  R.  Atmar  Smith  acting  as  presiding 
officer,  neither  the  State  Councilor  or  State  Vice- Councilor  being 
present  at  the  session. 

The  Order  declined  during  the  year  in  Councils  as  well  as 
members,  no  Councils  having  been  organized,  but  11  were  disbanded, 
leaving  but  15  in  good  standing.  The  membership  showed  a  de- 
crease from  1,392  to  1,135. 

The  officers  elected  were : 

State  Councilor — C.  M.  Trott, 
State  Vice-Councilor — John  T.  Gaston, 
State  Council  Secretary — J.  Frank  Pate, 
State  Council  Treasurer — C.  L.  Rhame. 


A  break  occurs  here  owing  to  the  fact  that  the  proceedings  of 
four  sessions  are  missing,  not  having  been  printed ;  but  the  minutes 
of  the  Tenth  Annual  Session,  held  at  Rock  Hill,  April  26,  1904, 
show  that  State  Councilor  H.  D.  Funderburk  presided.  Previous 
to  this  J.  Frank  Pate  had  served  as  State  Councilor  one  term. 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  645 

The  preliminary  exercises  were  of  an  interesting  character, 
several  addresses  of  welcome  from  the  citizens  being  made,  to  which 
Col.  Z.  P.  Smith,  editor  of  The  American,  in  a  brilliant  manner 
responded. 

The  officers  selected  to  guide  the  affairs  of  the  Order  were : 

State  Councilor — E.  H.  Moore, 
State  Vice-Councilor — K.  S.  Patterson, 
State  Council  Secretary — J.  S.  Wilson, 
State  Council  Treasurer — Caspar  C.  Stuart. 

State  Council  Secretary  Wilson  was  elected  to  his  position  two 
years  previous,  and  has  ever  since  up  to  date  (1907)  been  unani- 
mously reelected. 

National  Vice-Councilor  W.  E.  Faison  was  present  and  in- 
structed the  State  Council  in  the  mysteries  of  the  Order,  and  at  the 
same  time  gave  an  interesting  address  calling  upon  the  Represen- 
tatives present  for  pledges  in  number  of  members  they  would  strive 
for,  of  which  742  were  secured. 


In  Eleventh  Annual  Session,  the  State  Council  convened  April 
19,  1905,  at  Greenville,  State  Councilor  Moore  presiding.  An- 
other year  of  prosperity  had  crowned  the  labors  of  the  brethren, 
10  new  Councils  having  been  chartered,  a  net  gain  of  6,  and  the 
membership  had  increased  from  1,416  to  1,65S,  Avith  a  correspond- 
ing advance  in  the  finances. 

Loyalty  to  the  National  Council  was  shown  in  a  marked  man- 
ner by  the  State  Council  officers  in  urging  the  membership  to 
patronize  the  official  organ,  The  American,  and  the  National  Fu- 
neral Benefit  Department.  Furthermore,  all  the  amendments  of 
the  National  Council  were  approved. 

Efforts  had  been  made  by  the  Legislative  Committee  to  have 
enacted  a  Compulsory  Education  Law,  but  failed  in  the  attempt. 

In  the  election  of  officers,  the  following  were  chosen : 

State  Councilor — E.  H.  Moore    (reelected), 
State  Vice-Councilor — R.  S.  Patterson   (reelected), 
State  Council  Secretary — J.  S.  Wilson   (reelected), 
State  Council  Treasurer — C.  C.  Stuart   (reelected). 

The  Chapter  of  Juniorism  in  South  Carolina  closes  with  the 
Twelfth  Annual  Session  of  the  State  Council,  held  at  Columbia, 
April  1?,  190fi,  with  State  Councilor  Moore  in  the  Chair.     State 


646  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

Vice-Councilor  Patterson  having  resigned,  Lewis  G.  Fultz  was 
appointed  to  fill  the  position.  The  State  Council  was  opened  in 
accordance  with  the  State  Council  Eitual  adopted  at  Nashville 
session  of  the  National  Council  and  all  Eepresentatives  and  Past 
Councilors  were  obligated  by  State  Council  Chaplain  W.  C.  Winn, 
and  the  State  Council  Degree  was  conferred  upon  them  by  Deputy 
National  Councilor  C.  L.  Ehame. 

The  State  Councilor  gave  a  resume  of  his  work,  among  other 
interesting  statements,  referred  to  the  visit  of  himself  and  mem- 
bers of  the  committee  to  the  Governor  of  the  State  to  secure  repre- 
sentation in  the  delegation  to  be  appointed  to  the  Immigration 
Conference  to  be  held  in  the  City  of  New  York,  in  the  month  of 
December,  1905,  and  the  Order  was  honored  with  the  appointment 
of  two  members  of  said  delegation,  viz. :  State  Council  Secretary 
J.  S.  AVilson  and  Geo.  Bell  Zimmerman. 

As  above  stated,  the  State  Councilor  received  the  resignation 
of  State  Vice-Councilor  Patterson,  and  later  received  from  State 
Council  Treasurer  Stuart  his  resignation,  to  which  position  he 
appointed  E.  F.  Matteson. 

The  State  Council  Secretary  gave  a  very  complete  report  of 
the  standing  of  the  Order: 

Number  of  Councils  last  report 31 

Instituted  during   the  year 12 

Reorganized    1  44 

Councils   surrendering  charter 6 

Councils  subject  to  suspension 2  8 

Total  number  in  good  standing 36 

Number  of  members  at  last  report 1,674 

Number  initiated  and  by  new  Councils 784  2,462 

Number  suspended,  deceased,   etc 553 

Total    membership    1,909 

RANK   OF   MEMBERSHIP 

Past  State  Councilors 4 

Past   Councilors    116 

Honorary  Members   61 

Junior  Members    1,853 

FINANCIAL  STANDING 

Receipts   of   Subordinate   Councils $10,662.15 

Paid  for  Relief 3,752.20 

Receipts  of  State  Council $1,490.04 

Expenditures  State  Council 1,351.61 

National  Council  Per  Capita  Tax $588.00 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  6*7 

The  Nestor  of  South  Carolina  Jimiorism,  the  leader,  not  boss, 
is  our  genial  friend  and  Brother  Dr.  R.  Atraar  Smith,  whose  coun- 
sels in  the  National  Council  have  always  been  respected,  and  in  his 
own  State  Council  lias  always  had  the  esteem  of  his  brethren.  Past 
State  Councilor  J.  Frank  Pate  has  been  a  hard  worker  in  his  own 
State  Council,  for  some  years  its  Secretary,  and  when  a  member  of 
the  National  Council  he  took  prominent  part  in  its  business.  For 
some  years  Brother  J.  S.  Wilson  has  been  the  "  scribe  "  of  his  State 
Council  and  has  shown  himself  abreast  of  the  times  in  that  position. 
He  very  creditably  represented  his  State  Council  at  the  sessions  of 
the  National  Council,  at  Nashville  and  Boston.  Past  State  Coun- 
cilor C.  M.  Trott,  W.  P.  Berkmyer,  E.  H.  Moore  and  D.  W.  Loyd 
have  rendered  valuable  service  to  the  Order,  the  two  former  having 
been  National  Representatives,  both  now  deceased.  Brothers  W. 
C.  Winn,  C.  L.  Rhame,  B.  F.  Adams,  H.  Terry,  L.  G.  Fultz,  the 
two  latter  State  Councilor  and  State  Vice-Councilor  (1906)  and 
A.  L.  Barton,  are  a  few  of  the  prominent  factors  of  the  State  Body. 

The  State  Council  of  South  Carolina  is  on  a  sound  basis  and 
the  condition  of  the  Order  throughout  the  state  is  most  excellent, 
and  like  its  sister  state,  North  Carolina,  she  has  a  future. 

The  State  Council  Secretary  referred  to  the  growth  of  the 
Funeral  Benefit  Department  and  Beneficiary  Degree  in  the  state, 
which  growth  of  sentiment  came  largely  through  the  efforts  of  the 
Secretary  and  the  Board  of  Officers.  The  Secretary,  with  an  eye 
to  the  good  of  the  Order,  is  laboring  for  a  better  business  method 
on  the  part  of  the  officers  of  the  Subordinate  Councils,  and  to  that 
end  has  been  urging  Recording  Secretaries  to  conform  to  a  better 
system  of  keeping  records  and  accounts. 

It  is  pleasing  to  note,  as  per  report  of  Dr.  R.  Atmar  Smith  and 
Brother  J.  S.  Wilson,  National  Representatives,  the  satisfaction 
in  the  adoption  of  a  New  Funeral  Ceremony  and  the  State  Council 
Ritual  by  the  National  Council  at  its  meeting  in  Nashville,  Ten- 
nessee. "  For  years  our  State  Council  has  been  more  or  less  at 
sea  in  this  respect.  Now  there  should  be  no  trouble  in  opening 
and  closing  in  a  dignified  way." 

The  State  Legislative  Committee  again  pressed  a  Compulsory 
Educational  measure  before  the  State  Legislature,  but,  as  before, 
it  met  with  defeat;  sentiment,  however,  had  been  aroused  upon  the 
subject  to  such  an  extent  that  some  members  of  the  Legislature  who 
had  formerly  opposed  the  proposed  law,  were  favorable  to  it. 

By  a  vote  of  46  to  none  the  amendments  handed  down  by  the 


648  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

National  Council  were  concurred  in  by  the  State  Council.  A  reso- 
lution submitted  by  State  Council  Secretary  endorsing  the  proposed 
legislation  on  Immigration  at  Washington  was  adopted  by  a  rising 
vote. 

After  a  most  pleasant  and  harmonious  session,  the  State  Coun- 
cil adjourned  with  the  following  officers  at  the  helm : 

Junior  Past  State  Councilor — E.  H.  Moore, 

State  Councilor — H.  Terry, 

State  Vice-Councilor — Lewis  G.  Fultz, 

State  Council  Secretary — J.  S.  Wilson, 

State  Council  Treasurer — E.  F.  Matteson, 

State  Council  Conductor — J.  H.  Robinson, 

State  Council  Warden — T.  E.  Rawle, 

State  Council  Sentinels — C.  C.  Deanhart  and  A.  B.  Smith, 

State  Council  Chaplain — W.  C.  Winn. 

South  Carolina  has  not  figured  to  a  great  extent  in  the  affairs 
of  the  National  Council,  not  that  she  had  no  "  good  timber,"  but 
because  she  has  been  conservative  in  her  demands  and  has  not 
pushed  her  claims  as  other  states.  Her  Eepresentatives  to  the  Na- 
tional Body  have  at  least  been  equal  in  intelligence  to  those  from 
other  states,  and  have  been  received  with  kindly  respect  by  their 
copatriots  in  the  Supreme  Body. 


TENNESSEE 


Bluff  City  Council,  No.  1,  was  instituted  in  February,  1881, 
by  John  H.  Soefker,  of  Eescue  Council,  No.  1,  of  Virginia,  but  it 
soon  run  into  the  "  rocks  "  and  met  shipwreck  in  1883.  The  com- 
plaint at  that  time,  too  common,  was  that  the  investigation  of  can- 
didates for  initiation  was  not  rigorous  enough,  hence  an  element  was 
admitted  that  had  not  the  proper  moral  qualifications  which  kept 
out  the  better  class  of  citizens,  thereby  weakening  the  Council, 
and  finally  it  succumbed. 

We  have  no  record  of  any  further  effort  being  made  to  plant 
the  Order  in  the  state  until  1894,  when  Special  Organizer  Thomas 
B.  Ivey  instituted  Elizabethton  Council,  No.  1,  on  May  8,  which 
was  followed  by  the  institution  of  Washington,  No.  2,  June  8,  by 
National  Organizer  Stephen  Collins,  who  also  instituted  Gen. 
Francis  Marion,  No.  3,  on  the  15th  of  same  month. 

National  Organizer  W.  E.  Orange  then  assumed  the  work  of 
organization  under  appointment  of  the  National  Board  of  Officers, 
and  in  November  of  1894,  he  entered  the  state  and  on  the  14th, 
instituted  Winona,  No.  4;  Washington,  No.  5,  on  the  27th;  Good 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  649 

Will,  No.  6,  on  February  11,  1895,  and  Guiding  Star,  No.  7,  at 
which  time  and  date  he  instituted  the  State  Council  of  Tennessee. 
At  the  close  of  same  year  there  were  8  Councils  and  713  members. 
It  is  with  regret  that  we  cannot  give  a  synopsis  of  the  State 
Council  history  of  this  energetic  and  wide-awake  state,  not  being 
supplied  with  the  State  Council  proceedings  by  the  proper  officer. 
That  the  Order  in  Tennessee  has  made  splendid  progress,  is  clearly 
demonstrated  by  the  report  of  the  standing  of  the  State  Council 
for  the  year  ending  December  31,  1904: 

Number    of   Councils 80 

Number   of   Members 5,07 1 

Received  by  Subordinate  Councils $41,858.31 

Paid    for    Relief 13,283.72 

Worth  of  Councils 20,628.06 

According  to  the  same  record,  the  list  of  officers  for  the  year 
1905-1906  were: 

State  Councilor — Jamet;  W.  Watson, 
State  Vice-Councilor — Dr.  I.  N.  Hyde, 
State  Council  Secretary — A.  B.  Adams, 
State  Council  Treasurer — J.  T.  Beasley. 

Past  State  Councilors  in  good  standing  1905,  were  the  follow- 
ing: G.  M.  Hunt,  J.  A.  Tarpley,  J.  H.  Crossman,  G.  A.  Gowan, 
E.  H.  NeaLG.  H.  Burnham,  H.  L.  W.  Taylor,  E.  D.  Horton,  A.  S. 
Bashore;  National  Eepresentatives,  Geo.  A.  Gowan,  H.  C.  ITowse 
and  E.  D.  Horton;  Past  National  Eepresentatives,  J.  H.  Crossman, 
J.  A.  Tarplay,  with  H.  L.  W.  Taylor  as  N.  V.  C.  1907-1909. 

Tennessee  Juniorism  is  composed  of  an  active  and  intensely 
patriotic  membership.  Her  leaders  have  kept  abreast  of  the  age 
and  are  made  of  a  chivalrous  and  noble  standard  of  Southern  man- 
hood. No  truer  men  to  American  principles  can  be  found  any- 
where than  in  Tennessee,  and  the  coming  decade  will,  without  doubt, 
witness  great  progress  in  that  historic  state.  With  men  as  Gowan, 
Howse,  Taylor  and  Hunt  "  in  the  saddle  "  the  Order  at  large  need 
not  fear  for  Tennessee's  future. 

The  royal  Southern  welcome  accorded  the  National  Council  of 
1905,  by  the  Order  of  the  state,  especially  of  Nashville,  will  forever 
linger  with  us  as  pleasant  memories  of  our  association  with  the 
National  Body.  Here  within  the  state  forty  and  more  years  ago  our 
fathers  of  the  Northland  received  a  Southern  reception,  and  no 
braver  men  stood  up  for  what  they  thought  was  right  than  the  men 
of  Tennessee  which  has  made  Lookout  Mountain  and  Franklin  his- 


650  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

toric.  But  the  reception  tendered  the  sons  of  those  Northern  sires 
by  the  sons  of  Tennessee's  heroes  in  1905,  was  indeed  "warm," 
but  how  different  the  "  warming/'  with  open  house  and  throbbing 
heart  and  the  "  glad  hand." 

Since  writing  the  above,  through  the  kindness  of  Brother  J.  W. 
Drummond,  State  Council  Secretary,  we  are  in  receipt  of  the  Pro- 
ceedings of  the  session  of  the  State  Council  for  1906,  held  at 
Johnson  Cnvy,  May  8  and  9,  it  being  the  Twelfth  Annual  Session. 
Dr.  I.  N.  Hyde,  State  Vice-Councilor,  in  the  absence  of  State  Coun- 
cilor J.  W.  Watson,  called  the  session  to  order  and  presided  over  the 
deliberations  of  the  State  Body. 

The  State  Councilor,  owing  to  his  occupation,  was  much  of  the 
time  outside  the  state,  and  the  last  four  months  had  removed  from 
the  jurisdiction  altogether;  but  in  consultation  with  his  friends,  it 
was  thought  best  not  to  resign,  hence  continued  by  correspondence 
to  perform  the  duties  of  his  office.  However,  as  the  State  Council 
meeting  approached  and  his  work  was  about  done,  some  of  his 
brethren  thought  he  should  resign  on  the  eve  of  the  State  Council, 
thereby  losing  his  honors  as  a  Past  State  Councilor.  In  submitting 
his  report  to  the  State  Body  he  refers  to  this  demand  for  his  resig- 
nation and  he  naturally  expressed  his  surprise  that  any  such  request 
should  have  been  made.  He  spoke  of  his  faith  in  Southern  chivalry 
and  fraternity  and  expressed  his  belief  that  the  Tennessee  brethren 
would  not  have  approved  such  a  procedure,  thereby  sacrificing  his 
honors  after  attending  to  the  work  of  the  year. 

The  State  Councilor  was  greatly  handicapped  in  the  apathy 
and  negligence  of  his  Deputy  State  Councilors,  which,  so  far  as 
Tennessee  is  concerned,  was  a  common  complaint,  as  but  few  of 
these  officers  gave  any  special  attention  to  the  work  assigned  them. 
As  many  a  battle  has  been  lost  to  the  bravest  general  through  the 
failure  of  his  aides  keeping  him  informed,  so  many  a  State  Coun- 
cilor has  failed  because  his  field  aides'-de-camp  have  proved  recreant 
to  their  trust. 

State  Councilor  Watson  closes  his  report  with  some  very  sen- 
sible advice : 

"  Brothers,  your  time  is  too  valuable  to  be  spent  in  political  caucuses. 
Forget  everything  except  the  fact  that  you  are  a  band  of  American  Brothers 
united  against  a  common  enemy;  and  let  me  warn  you,  brethren,  if  the 
aspirations  of  office-seekers  are  forever  and  eternally  going  to  divide  you 
into  jealous  factions,  you  might  just  as  well  surrender  your  charter  and 
disband.    Let  there  be  no  East  Tennessee,  no  West  Tennessee  but  one  solid 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  651 

phalanx  of  noble,  true-hearted  Tennesseans,  although  more  than  10,000 
strong,  united  as  one  man,  in  your  effort  to  advance  the  principles  of 
Virtue,  Liberty  and  Patriotism;  then  you  can  influence  your  legislatures 
to  pass  the  Flag  Bill;  Compulsory  Education  will  be  enacted  as  by  magic; 
Free  Text  Books  will  be  thrust  upon  you;  Child  Labor  will  vanish;  Rome 
will  be  shaken  as  by  an  earthquake,  and  will  fall  at  the  feet  of  Juniorism 
begging  for  mercy,  and  officials  high  in  office  will  do  as  the  Governor  of 
North  Carolina  did  when  Brothers  Faison  and  Smith  asked  him  to  appoint 
a  couple  of  Juniors  as  delegates  to  the  New  York  Quarantine  and  Immi- 
gration Convention,  and  after  appointing  them  asked  who  they  wanted 
for  the  other  delegates." 

According  to  the  State  Council  Secretary's  report,  the  standing 
of  the  State  Council  was  as  follows : 

Number  of  Councils 138 

Number    of   Members 7,851 

being  a  gain  of  19  Councils  and  881  members  for  the  year.  While 
25  new  Councils  had  been  instituted,  7,  however,  were  dissolved 
or  consolidated.  A  remarkable  ingathering  by  initiation  was  re- 
ported, 3,599 ;  but  a  stupendous  loss  by  suspension,  2,801  in  num- 
ber, made  the  net  gain  quite  small.  Financial^,  the  State  Council 
Secretary  had  a  very  creditable  report  to  give : 

Received  by  Subordinate   Councils $64,581.76 

Paid  for  Relief 19,940.49 

Worth  of  Councils 43,114.15 

Receipts  of   State  Council $5,690.03 

Disbursements    5,344.54 

Balance  on  hand   $2,344.54 

It  has  been  our  privilege  to  glance  over  the  reports  of  the 
Committees  on  Law  in  the  several  jurisdictions,  yet  in  none  of  them 
did  we  find  so  pertinent,  so  clearly  conceived  and  so  practically 
stated  a  report  as  that  of  the  Law  Committee  of  Tennessee  to  the  ses- 
sion of  the  State  Council  of  1906,  which  was  signed  by  N.  L. 
French,  J.  A.  G.  Althauser  and  J.  W.  Drummond.  Believing  that 
"  order  is  the  first  law  of  nature/'  the  Committee  came  to  the  real- 
ization that  law  in  many  of  the  Councils  of  the  state  was  not  order 
as  there  was  lack  of  uniformity  of  laws  and  that  many  Councils 
did  not  conform  to  the  State  or  National  laws,  hence  there  was 
confusion  in  the  administration  of  same. 

The  following  resolutions  were  submitted  and  adopted : 

1.  Endorsing  the  campaign  of  the  National  Legislative  Com- 
mittee at  Washington  for  the  .Restriction  of  Immigration. 

2.  Endorsing  Brother  H.  E.  Howse  for  the  office  of  National 
Vice-Councilor. 


652  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

3.  Instructing  the  National  Representatives  to  use  every  effort 
to  have  the  minimum  age  limit  fixed  at  eighteen  years. 

A  resolution  to  make  the  fee  not  less  than  $5  for  initiation  was 
defeated.  The  State  Council  paid  all  its  Representatives  as  well 
as  officers  and  Committees  mileage  and  per  diem,  which  at  this 
session  amounted  to  $1,276.10. 

In  the  election  of  officers  the  following  were  named : 

State  Councilor — Dr.  I.  N.  Hyde, 
State  Vice-Councilor — John  A.  Duncan, 
State  Council  Secretary — J.  W.  Drummond, 
State  Council  Treasurer — J.  T.  Beazley, 
State  Council  Conductor — R.  L.  May, 
State  Council  Warden — R.  C.  Hale, 

State  Council   Sentinels — W.  B.  Lawrence  and  Marion  Tucker, 
State  Council  Chaplain — H.  A.  Harris, 

National  Council  Representatives — Dr.  N.  L.  French,  G.  H.  Burnham 
and  A.  B.  Adams. 

The  Boston  session  of  the  National  Council  conferred  a  great 
honor  upon  Brother  H.  L.  W.  Taylor,  as  well  as  the  State  of 
Tennessee,  one  of  Nature's  noblemen,  by  electing  him  National 
Vice-Councilor  by  a  vote  of  100  to  75  for  his  competitor. 


TEXAS 

From  Deemer's  History  we  learn  that  the  Order  found  foot- 
hold in  Texas  through  the  personal  influence  of  Brother  Henry  A. 
Wise,  in  the  organization  of  Will's  Point  Council,  No.  1,  at  Will's 
Point,  which  was  instituted  October  22,  18S7,  by  National  Coun- 
cilor Geo.  W.  Elbert,  who  had  this  to  say : 

"  The  applicants  were  among  the  leading  men  of  the  town,  and  in 
every  way  they  were  well  pleased  with  the  ceremony.  They  treated  me 
with  that  respect  due  my  position  in  the  Order  and  I  am  sure  they  will 
succeed." 

The  Order  in  the  state,  however,  has  had  a  varied  experience — 
Councils  instituted  to  flourish  only  for  a  short  time  then  die — 
until  the  advent  of  Stephen  Collins,  National  Organizer,  in  1894. 
It  might  be  well  to  state  that  Will's  Point  Council  requested  the 
National  Council  to  hold  its  Annual  Session  in  their  town  in  1888. 
In  1889  D.  D.  Ellis  was  appointed  Deputy  National  Councilor  over 
the  State  of  Texas.  Lone  Star  Council,  No.  2,  followed,  located 
in  Fort  Worth,  the  home  city  of  our  genial  brother,  Dr.  Cooper, 
who  was  elected  May  7,  1891,  to  represent  the  Council  at  the  Na- 
tional Council  at  its  session  held  at  Cleveland.     On  October  23, 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  653 

1890,  a  charter  was  granted  Davy  Crockett,  No.  3,  located  at  San 
Antonio,  which  was  followed  by  Goldthwait,  No.  4.  For  term  end- 
ing December  31,  1891,  Texas  had  three  Councils  and  89  members 
(Will's  Point  having  disbanded). 

Under  date  of  June  8,  1892,  J.  L.  Caruthers,  Deputy  Na- 
tional Councilor  of  Texas,  gave  a  resume  of  the  condition  of  the 
Order  in  the  "Lone  Star  State."  Lone  Star  Council,  No.  2,  at 
this  time  had  75  members  and  was  composed  of  an  energetic  class 
of  workers.  Davy  Crockett,  No.  3,  also  had  75  members,  but  No.  4 
did  not  last  a  year,  there  being  but  little  material  to  build  a  Coun- 
cil. In  his  report,  the  Deputy  National  Councilor  referred  to  the 
name  as  a  hindrance  to  the  advance  of  the  organization  in  Texas, 
the  "  labor  ear-marks  "  being  a  great  obstacle. 

Dr.  Cooper,  Deputy  National  Councilor  in  1893,  submitted 
his  report  through  which  ran  an  optimistic  vein  as  to  the  condition 
of  the  Order  in  his  home  state,  an  empire  in  itself.  The  Doctor 
endeavored,  through  Brother  Henry  A.  Wise,  to  reorganize  Will's 
Point  Council,  but  the  place  being  so  small  and  the  material  for  a 
Council  so  limited,  it  was  found  impossible  to  revive  the  defunct 
organization.  The  same  was  true  of  Goldthwait  Council  which  had 
been  organized  by  Wm.  Van  Glahr.  Dr.  Cooper  instituted  Sam 
Houston  Council,  No.  ("5,  at  Cleburne,  September  2,  1892,  and  was 
assisted  in  the  institution  by  W.  H.  Eollins  who  lived  there.  On 
May  20,  1893,  the  Deputy  National  Councilor  instituted  Winona 
Council,  No.  7. 

National  Organizer  Stephen  Collins  having  swept  over  the 
Continent,  arousing  interest  in  Wisconsin  and  Michigan;  opening 
up  the  work  in  Minnesota ;  spending  some  time  in  Iowa  encourag- 
ing the  Councils;  then  crossing  the  "Eockies"  into  Oregon  and 
establishing  the  Order  there  on  a  firmer  basis  by  the  institution 
of  a  State  Council ;  passing  down  into  the  "  Golden  State  "  of  Cali- 
fornia and  planting  the  Order  from  San  Francisco  to  San  Monica, 
and  instituting  a  State  Council ;  stopping  off  in  Arizona  and  organ- 
izing and  instituting  two  Councils,  finally  entered  the  "  Lone  Star 
State,"  April  3,  1894,  where  he  met  his  "  match  "  at  Weatherford, 
at  which  place  even  with  Dr.  Cooper's  presence  he  failed  to  estab- 
lish a  Council  of  the  Junior  Order.  However,  on  April  21,  the 
National  Organizer  instituted  San  Jacinto  Council,  No.  4,  at  Ter- 
rell, April  24;  Washington,  No.  1,  at  Waco,  the  number  to  take 
the  place  of  Will's  Point  Council,  now  defunct,  on  the  26th: 
Alamo,  No.  5,  at  Will's  Point,  which  was  followed  on  the  27th 
of  April  by  the  institution  of  the  State  Council  of  Texas  at  Dallas. 


654>  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

The  following  officers  were  elected : 

Junior  Past  State  Councilor — Dr.  J.  L.  Cooper, 
State  Councilor — R.  S.  Woodyard, 
State  Vice  Councilor — W.  T.  Bashaw, 
State  Council  Secretary — S.  C.  McMillen. 

Representatives  to  the  National  Council :  D.  F.  Kreamer,  R.  S. 
Woodyard,  J.  H.  Jackson,  F.  W.  Bull  and  J.  W.  Pope.  Of  this 
number,  R.  S.  Woodyard,  F.  W.  Bull,  J.  W.  Pope,  and  D.  F. 
Kreamer,  including  Junior  Past  State  Councilor  Dr.  Cooper,  were 
in  attendance  at  the  session  of  the  National  Body  at  Asheville,  N.'C. 

On  May  7,  Brother  Collins  instituted  No.  8  at  Galveston  and 
did  preliminary  work  at  Sherman  and  at  the  end  of  fiscal  year, 
December  31,  1895,  there  were  in  Texas  24  Councils  and  634 
members;  a  remarkable  record  for  a  state  of  such  magnificant  dis- 
tances and  where  the  towns  were  made  up  fully  one-half  by  a 
colored  population.  The  year  following,  under  the  energetic  and 
able  administration  of  State  Councilor  as  well  as  Deputy  National 
Councilor  W.  T.  Bashaw,  the  Order  rapidly  advanced,  and  in  his 
report  to  the  National  Councilor  at  the  session  of  the  National 
Body  in  June,  1896,  Brother  Bashaw  placed  the  number  of  Coun- 
cils at  34  and  the  membership  at  1,250.  However,  at  the  National 
Council  of  1897,  there  was  reported  a  "  slump  "  in  the  organization, 
while  the  number  of  Councils  had  gone  up  to  40,  19  of  them  were 
dissolved  and  the  membership  decreased  to  660.  From  this  time 
until  1905,  there  has  been  a  gradual  decline  and  a  struggle  to 
maintain  the  standing  of  a  State  organization. 

The  list  of  officers  for  ensuing  year,  beginning  May,  1905, 
were  as  follows : 

Jr.  Past  State  Councilor— J.  B.  Willett, 
State  Councilor — J.  M.  Stewart, 
State  Vice-Councilor — E.  H.  Lambert, 
State  Council  Secretary — A.  S.  Fulghum, 
State  Council  Treasurer — J.  W.  Coker. 

Three  brothers  of  Texas  have  been  prominent,  not  only  in  the 
State  Council,  but  in  the  National  Council  where  they  are  well 
known :  Past  National  Councilor  Dr.  J.  L.  Cooper,  Past  State  Coun- 
cilors and  Past  National  Representatives  W.  H.  Rollins  and  N.  B. 
Moore. 

It  is  with  regret  that  we  have  been  unable  to  secure  more 
information  relative  to  the  Order  in  the  "  Lone  Star  State,"  but 
what  Ave  have  inserted  has  been  received  from  limited  sources  of 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  655 

information.  The  hope  of  the  writer  is,  thai  the  great  State  of 
Texas  will  yet  see  a  prosperous  organization  and  that  the  Order 
may  be  numbered  by  the  thousands  instead  of  the  hundreds. 


VERMONT 

The  "  Green  Mountain  State,"  historically  famous  for  Ben- 
nington and  its  gallant  chieftains,  Generals  Ethan  Allen  and  John 
Stark,  received  the  seed-truth  of  Juniorism  as  early  as  1879,  by 
the  institution  of  Ethan  Allen  Council,  No.  1,  at  Sunderland, 
through  the  efforts  of  Past  State  Councilor  S.  H.  Crura.  However, 
after  a  few  fitful  years  of  struggle  it  succumbed  by  force  of  cir- 
cumstances. Nothing  further  was  attempted  to  plant  the  Order 
in  the  state  until  1896,  when  Special  Organizer  Fred  W.  Alexander 
entered  the  jurisdiction  and  the  following  was  the  result  of  his 
visit : 

Vermont  Council,  No.  1,  at  Bellows  Falls,  March  30,  1896; 
General  Baxter,  No.  2,  April  4;  Old  Glory,  No.  3,  at  Hartland, 
April  11 ;  Lincoln,  No.  4,  at  Windsor,  April  15 ;  Washington,  No.  5, 
at  White  Eiver  Junction,  April  27;  Ethan  Allen,  No.  6,  at  Putney, 
April  29 ;  General  Grant,  No.  7,  at  Brattleboro,  May  1 ;  Seth  War- 
ner, No.  8,  at  Hartford,  May  15,  and  Nos.  9  at  Montpelier,  and  10 
at  Barre,  May  25  and  27,  respectively.  On  May  29,  1896,  Special 
Organizer  Alexander  instituted  the  State  Council  of  Vermont  at 
Bellows  Falls,  and  another  State  organization  found  its  place  in 
the  growing  progeny  of  Junior  Order  United  American  Mechanics 
of  the  United  States  of  North  America. 

Brother  A.  E.  White,  State  Council  Secretary  of  Vermont, 
very  courteously  consented  to  prepare  a  synopsis  of  the  State  Coun- 
cil, in  lieu  of  forwarding  the  large  Journal  Book  in  which  the 
records  of  the  State  Body  are  kept.  In  view  of  the  concise  resume 
he  has  culled  from  the  records,  we  will  let  Brother  White  tell  the 
story,  and  well  has  he  told  it: 

"  The  preparation  of  a  history  of  the  State  Council  of  Vermont 
appears  to  be  a  difficult  task,  as  the  records  of  its  earlier  sessions  are  very 
incomplete,  or  perhaps  more  properly  speaking,  lack  in  those  details 
which  are  clearly  esential  to  give  an  intelligent  understanding  of  the  ups 
and  downs  of  the  Junior  Order  in  the  '  Green  Mountain  State' 

"  We  are  well  aware  that  as  compared  with  other  jurisdictions,  we 
can  but  seem  insignificant;  but  when  it  is  known  that  the  larger  portion 
of  our  short  life  as  a  State  Council  has  been  a  struggle  for  existence, 
and  that  had  it  not  been  for  the  grim  determination  of  a  small  but  exceed- 
ingly loyal  band  of  workers,  our  candle  would  have  been  snuffed  out  years 
ago,  and  our  grand  Order  would  have  died  in  poverty  and  obscurity.     But 


656  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

might,  encouraged  by  right  has  prevailed  and  we  hope  in  due  time  to 
occupy  an  honorable  place  in  the  large  and  constantly  increasing  family 
of  State  Councils. 

"  Delegates  to  form  the  State  Council  were  E.  L.  Green  No.  2,  Geo.  D. 
Wood  No.  3,  Rev.  E.  F.  Mitchell  No.  6,  Allen  L.  Pease  and  F.  W.  Alexander 
No.  8,  Don  H.  Dodge  No.  9,  A.  E.  Glidden  No.  10.  The  principal  officers 
chosen  were,  Jr.  P.  S.  C,  F.  W.  Alexander;  S.  C,  Allen  L.  Pease;  S.  V.  C, 
A.  E.  Glidden;  S.  C.  Sec,  W.  W.  Allen;  S.  C.  Treas.,  E.  L.  Green.  The 
name  of  Geo.  D.  Wood  appears  as  D.  N.  C,  who  installed  the  officers  elect. 
It  was  agreed  that  the  annual  sessions  should  be  held  on  the  fourth  Tuesday 
in  May  each  year,  and  subsequently  voted  to  hold  the  session  of  1897,  at 
Montpelier. 

"  So  far  as  can  be  learned  the  only  member  from  among  those  who 
met  to  organize  the  State  Council  that  retains  -active  membership  in  the 
Order  at  the  present  time  is  Bro.  Don.  H.  Dodge,  who  is  still  a  member 
of  the  writer's  own  Council,  Green  Mountain  No.  9,  at  Montpelier. 


"  The  records  do  not  disclose  any  reason,  but  the  Second  Annual 
Session  met  in  Montpelier  in  April,  1897,  one  month  earlier  than  the  time 
previously  set.  Meager  reports  from  the  Secretary,  who  was  absent,  show 
a  membership  of  955,  of  which  780  were  contributing.  Thirty-five  Councils 
had  been  organized  up  to  this  time  but  no  report  was  made  as  to  how 
many  were  in  active  work.  An  amendment  was  carried  fixing  the  time 
of  the  annual  session  the  first  Wednesday  in  October,  and  St.  Johnsbury 
was  chosen  as  the  next  place  of  meeting.  F.  W.  Alexander,  who  had  insti- 
tuted all  of  the  Councils,  was  chosen  State  Councilor,  L.  M.  Cleverly 
S.  V.  C,  F.  W.  Hawley  S.  C.  Sec,  and  C.  E.  Harris  S.  C.  Treas. 


"  Pursuant  to  adjournment,  the  State  Council  met  in  Third  Annual 
Session  at  St.  Johnsbury,  October  6,  1897,  less  than  six  months  having 
elapsed  since  the  last  meeting.  National  Councilor  Joseph  Powell,  of 
Colorado,  was  present  and  addressed  the  members.  Twenty-eight  Councils 
were  reported  in  good  standing  with  a  total  membership  of  1,075.  L.  M. 
Cleverly  was  elected  State  Councilor,  Geo.  O.  Farr  S.  V.  C,  F.  W.  Eawiey 
S.  C.  Sec,  and  C.  E.  Harris  S.  C.  Treas.  Windsor  was  chosen  as  the  place 
of  next  meeting. 


"  October  5,  1897,  the  State  Council  convened  at  Windsor.  Bro. 
F.  W.  Pierson,  of  Delaware,  was  a  visitor  and  lent  interest  and  enthusiasm 
to  the  session.  Only  the  four  principal  officers  were  present  and  the 
total  number  of  Councils  reported  was  20.  Membership,  968,  of  which 
847  were  contributing.     Financially  the  State  Council  was  $75.00  in  debt. 

"  The  regular  routine  business  was  transacted  and  L.  M.  Cleverly 
was  reelected  S.  C,  E.  F.  Starkey  S.  V.  C,  and  Bros.  Hawley  and  Harris 
Secretary  and  Treasurer,  respectively.  Norwich  was  chosen  as  the  place 
of  next  meeting. 

"  In  accordance  with  the  vote  of  the  members  at  the  last  session, 
the  Fifth  Annual  Session  convened  at  Norwich,  October  4,  1899,  and  was 
called  to  order  by  E.  F.  Starkey  who  had,  the  previous  July,  been  appointed 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  657 

to  the  office  of  S.  C.  by  the  State  Board  to  fill  vacancy  caused  by  the 
neglect  of  S.  C.  Cleverly  to  perform  the  work  and  discharge  the  duties  of  the 
office.  The  number  of  active  Councils  had  fallen  to  17  and  the  membership 
to  845,  while  the  debt  had  increased  to  $325.00.  A  serious  condition  con- 
fronted the  Order  and  much  discouragement  was  felt. 

"  It  may  be  proper  at  this  time  to  say,  that  the  cause  of  this  start- 
ling loss  of  Councils  was  due  to  the  fact  that  all  Councils  thus  far  had 
been  organized  on  the  '  Premium  plan '  ;  and  it  would  seem  that  the 
organizer  was  looking  with  more  interest  to  the  premium  than  to  the 
permanence  of  his  xcork.  Councils  were  instituted  in  places  so  small  as 
to  be  totally  unable  to  support  them  when  started;  others  had  been  insti- 
tuted with  a  membership  in  numbers  far  below  the  requirements  of  law; 
some  failed  to  hold  any  meetings  after  the  organizer  left  and  at  once 
become  deadwood. 

"  The  straightened  condition,  financially,  is  distinctly  traceable  to 
some  of  its  earlier  executive  officers  spending  funds  in  a  way  that  the 
condition  of  the  treasury  did  not  warant,  but  at  this  time,  Bros.  C.  E. 
Harris,  who  served  as  S.  C.  Treas.  for  nine  years,  and  S.  C.  Sec.  F.  W. 
Hawley,  whose  services  covered  a  period  of  eight  years,  came  to  the  rescue 
and  proved  their  confidence  and  love  for  the  Order  by  giving  security  for 
loans  which  carried  us  over  the  difficulty,  aided  in  no  small  degree  by  the 
practice  of  rigid  economy  on  the  part  of  the  officers  in  successive  years, 
who  denied  themselves  that  which  had  to  some  former  officers  been  *  the 
glory  of  office.'  The  same  careful  management  has  since  obtained,  so  that 
at  the  session  of  1906,  it  was  reported  that  the  funds  in  the  treasury 
amounted  to  considerably  over  $500.00,  and  the  State  Council  free  from 
debt  of  any  kind. 

"  No  business  other  than  the  usual  routine  was  transacted,  and  the 
members  elected  officers  and  went  home.  Geo.  O.  Farr  was  chosen  S.  C, 
A.  E.  White  S.  V.  C,  and  the  usual  election  of  Harris  and  Hawley  as 
Treas.  and  Sec.  was  ratified. 

"  October  3,  1900,  the  delegates  assembled  in  Montpelier.  The  reports 
of  State  Councilor  and  State  Council  Secretary  showed  that  they  had  been 
fully  alive  to  the  affairs  of  the  State  Council.  The  work  of  the  State  Coun- 
cilor was  mainly  in  visiting  weak  and  inactive  Councils,  in  an  attempt  to 
revive  them,  and  in  the  collection  of  the  property  of  those  hopelessly  beyond 
resuscitation.  The  number  of  active  Councils  had  fallen  to  14  and  the 
total  membership  was  769.  The  debt  had  been  reduced  $100,  and  a  feeling 
of  hopefulness  prevailed,  as  it  was  apparent  that  what  we  had  left  of 
the  Order  was  in  better  shape  than  for  some  time.  A.  E.  White  was 
installed  State  Cfcuncilor,  F.  A.  Emerson  S.  V.  C,  F.  W.  Hawley  S.  C.  Sec, 
and  C.  E.  Harris  S.  C.  Treas. 


"  Inasmuch  as  Geo.  Leslie  Council,  at  Wells  River,  had  ceased  to 
work,  the  State  Board  arranged  for  the  meeting  of  1901,  at  St.  Johnsbury, 
where  it  convened  October  2d.  The  State  Council  Secretary  reported  a  loss 
of  one  Council  and  31  members;  and  that  for  the  first  time  since  1897 
the  State  Council  was  free  from  debt,  adding  that  much  of  the  credit  was 
due  to  the  manner  in  which  the  last  two  State  Councilors  had  practised 

42 


658  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

economy.  This  statement  was  received  with  much  applause.  D.  N.  C. 
John  H.  Noyes,  of  N.  H.,  installed  the  officers  as  follows:  F.  A.  Emerson, 
S.  Coun.;  B.  F.  Humphrey,  S.  V.  Coun.;  F.  W.  Hawley,  S.  C.  Sec;  and 
C.  E.  Harris,  S.  C.  Treas.  Wheelock,  although  off  the  line  of  railroad, 
was  urged  as  the  place  of  next  meeting,  and  as  a  strong  Council  was  located 
there  it  was  thought  best  to  try  the  experiment,  and  the  State  Council 
voted  to  go  there  for  the  session  of  1902. 


"  In  pursuance  of  the  vote  of  one  year  ago,  the  Eighth  Annual  Session 
gathered  in  Wheelock  October  1,  1902,  and  it  must  be  said,  that  in  every 
way,  the  action  of  the  Brothers  in  voting  to  go  there  was  justified. 

"  Free  transportation  was  provided  from  the  railroad  station  to  the 
town,  and  the  brethren  of  Wheelock  did  everything  in  their  power  for  our 
comfort  and  enjoyment.  The  State  Councilor  reported  that  one  new 
Council  had  been  instituted  and  the  State  Council  Secretary's  report 
showed  the  membership  to  be  785,  a  gain  of  47,  while  our  genial  Treasurer, 
with  much  pride,  announced  a  balance  in  the  treasury  of  $200. 

"  Probably  the  improvement  in  the  condition  of  the  Order  had  its 
effect  to  make  this  session  what  it  was — the  most  enthusiastic  gathering 
within  the  state  in  recent  years.  The  utmost  harmony  prevailed.  When 
the  gavel  fell  at  the  close,  all  felt  it  to  have  been  the  most  profitable  ever 
held.  D.  N.  Coun.,  W.  A.  Spofford,  of  Maine,  installed  the  following  offi- 
cers: Kyle  T.  Brown,  S.  Coun.;  Dr.  S.  A.  Jones,  S.  V.  Coun.;  F.  W. 
Hawley,  S.  C.  Sec;  C.  E.  Harris,  S.  C.  Treas.  Springfield  was  named  as  the 
place  of  next  meeting.  Nearly  all  in  attendance  remained  to  a  meeting 
of  the  local  Council  in  the  evening,  at  which  time  the  initiatory  ceremonies 
were  exemplified  by  the  home  Council  in  a  highly  creditable  manner  which 
was  not  only  highly  interesting  but  profitable  as  well. 


"  The  annual  session  of  1903,  met  in  Springfield  October  7.  State 
Councilor  Brown,  in  his  report,  said :  '  I  believe  the  past  year  on  the  whole 
has  been  one  of  progress,  and  that  every  Junior  is  awakening  to  the  fact 
that  good  members  only  count,  and  that  the  moral  standard  is  being  raised.' 
The  State  Council  Secretary  reported  one  new  Council  instituted  and  that 
one  had  become  defunct  and  a  slight  increase  in  membership.  Balance  in 
treasury  maintained  as  one  year  ago.  A  proposal  for  a  law  placing  the 
State  Council  on  a  representative  basis  was  offered  and  laid  upon  the  table 
one  year.  Officers  elected  were :  Dr.  S.  A.  Jones,  S.  Coun.,  W.  E.  Trombly, 
S.  V.  Coun.,  while  Hawley  and  Harris  again  were  elected. 


"  The  State  Body  convened  at  Windsor,  October  5,  1904.  Consid- 
erable gratification  was  felt,  that  by  the  efforts  of  a  Special  Organizer 
employed  by  the  State  Board,  five  new  Councils  had  been  instituted.  A 
most  enthusiastic  meeting  in  the  subordinate  degree  was  held  the  previous 
evening  by  the  local  Council,  and  when  the  gavel  fell  Wednesday  morning, 
all  were  alert  and  ready  for  the  work  of  the  session.  A  curious  fact  was 
noted,  in  that  none  appeared  for  admission  to  the  State  Council  degree. 
The  new  Councils  were  not  represented,  as  being  all  in  the  north  end  of 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  659 

the  state,  and  as  each  Council  pays  the  expenses  of  its  representatives,  it 
was  probable  they  did  not  feel  able  to  bear  the  expenses  of  the  long  trip 
to  Windsor.  The  Secretary  reported  the  membership  to  be  811,  distributed 
in  18  active  Councils,  with  one  Council  with  a  membership  of  about  50 
not  reported.  Bro.  Harris,  '  The  watch  dog  of  the  Treasury,'  announced 
the  funds  in  his  keeping  to  have  reached  the  sum  of  $327.00.  Dr.  S.  A. 
Jones  was  reelected  S.  Coun.,  Geo.  W.  Young,  chosen  S.  V.  Coun.,  A.  E. 
White,  S.  C.  Sec,  and  C.  E.  Harris,  S.  C.  Treas.  F.  W.  Hawley  had  com- 
pleted eight  years  of  service  as  S.  C.  Sec,  and  was  reelected  but  declined 
to  serve  and  P.  S.  Coun.  White  was  chosen. 


"  Because  of  local  conditions  the  Eleventh  Annual  Session  was  post- 
poned by  the  Board  of  Officers  to  the  13th  of  October,  when  it  met  at 
St.  Johnsbury.  National  Councilor  Gilcreast  of  Methuen,  Mass.,  was 
present  and  made  addresses  at  the  special  meeting  the  night  before  and 
at  the  session.  Dr.  Jones  had  resigned  the  office  of  S.  Coun.  the  previous 
August  and  the  S.  V.  Coun.,  Geo.  W.  Young,  had  become  S.  Coun.  and 
presided. 

"  National  Organizer,  John  E.  Bridgers,  of  North  Carolina,  had  been 
sent  to  Vermont  by  the  National  Councilor,  and  had  instituted  one  new 
Council  and  had  good  prospects  of  others,  but  after  two  had  been  started 
he  was  obliged  to  leave  for  other  fields. 

"  Eighteen  Councils  reporting  and  817  members,  was  the  meat  of  the 
Secretary's  report  as  to  membership,  with  $378.00  in  the  treasury.  The 
purchase  of  a  safe  for  the  keeping  of  the  books  of  the  State  Council  was 
authorized.  Election  of  officers  made  C.  W.  Coffrain  S.  Coun.,  W.  E.  Gid- 
dings  S.  V.  Coun.,  A.  E.  White  S.  C.  Sec,  and  C.  J.  King  S.  C.  Treas. 
Glover  was  named  as  the  next  place  of  meeting. 


"  October  3,  1906,  the  State  Council  again  assembled  in  annual  session  at 
a  place  away  from  the  line  of  railroad,  and  this  time  met  in  the  beautiful 
village  of  Glover.  At  a  season  of  the  year  when  the  foliage  was  resplendent 
with  the  many  and  varied  tints  of  autumn,  and  the  pure  air  of  our  Green 
Mountain  state  most  bracing  and  invigorating,  the  clear  sunshiny  days 
seemed  to  smile  a  welcome  to  us  which  was  most  cordially  seconded  by 
the  good  brothers  of  Orleans  Council  No.  40,  who  spared  no  pains  for  our 
comfort  or  pleasure.  A  rousing  meeting  of  Orleans  Council,  held  on 
Tuesday  evening,  acted  as  a  stimulus  to  one  of  the  best  state  meetings 
ever  held  in  Vermont.  Gen.  Sherman  Council,  of  Lyndon,  which  can  be 
justly  said  to  have  the  best  degree  team  in  the  state,  exemplified  the 
initiatory  degree  in  a  manner  that  left  little  room  for  criticism. 

"  We  have  now  reached  the  point  where  that  interest  is  manifested 
that  members  come  to  the  state  meeting  openly  declaring  themselves  candi- 
dates for  office;  a  very  encouraging  sign,  for  we  believe  it  to  be  a  com- 
mendable ambition  to  take  an  interest  in  an  organization  that  is  willing 
to  bear  its  burdens  as  well  as  share  its  honors. 

"  The  session  opened  with  a  good  attendance.  One  new  Council  had 
been  instituted  soon  after  the  close  of  the  last  meeting.  A  recommenda- 
tion of  the  State  Councilor  providing  that  each  Council  should  be  visited 


660  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

by  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Officers  at  least  once  during  the  year,  found 
favor  with  the  members  and  was  adopted. 

"  Resolutions  commending  the  work  of  the  National  Legislative  Com- 
mated.  Certain  we  are  that  many  cases  might  be  enumerated  where  the 
Resolutions  endorsing  The  American  and  making  it  the  official  organ  of 
the  State  Council  were  adopted.  The  following  officers  were  installed: 
W.  E.  Giddings,  S.  Coun.;  W.  H.  Jeffrey,  S.  V.  Coun.;  A.  E.  White,  S.  C. 
Sec;  and  C.  J.  King,  S.  C.  Treas. 

"  '  The  best  state  meeting  ever  held,'  was  heard  on  all  sides  when  the 
State  Council  formally  closed  to  meet  in  Montpelier  in  1907. 


RECAPITULATION 


"  As  we  said  in  our  opening  remarks,  we  do  not  feel  great  pride  in 
the  achievements  of  the  State  Council  of  Vermont;  and  yet  we  cannot 
feel  that  the  eleven  years  of  our  existence  as  an  Order  has  been  entirely 
devoid  of  good.  Much  has  confronted  us  of  a  discouraging  nature,  and 
Subordinate  Councils,  as  well  as  the  State  Body,  have  had  many  drawbacks 
that  cannot  wisely  be  told  of  in  a  sketch  like  this.  But  who  can  say  that 
the  seed  sown  and  the  principles  our  beloved  Order  teaches  have  not 
accomplished  good  that  never  will  be  known,  and  therefore  cannot  be  esti- 
mated. Certain  we  are  that  many  cases  might  be  enumerated  where  the 
Order's  teachings  have  awakened  an  interest  in  those  things  which  tend  to 
make  American  citizenship  more  highly  valued  and  respected;  while  from 
a  monetary  sense  its  ministrations  in  the  hour  of  need  have  aided  in 
relieving  suffering  and  smoothing  the  pathway  of  the  distressed  as  well 
as  bringing  cheer  in  the  midst  of  afflictions  which  must  continue  to  beset 
mankind  until  time  shall  be  no  more. 

"  We  well  know  that  the  figures  below  are  not  complete  as  in  many 
cases  Secretaries  are  careless  in  making  reports,  as  to  our  knowledge  many 
hundred  dollars  have  been  paid  in  death  benefits  which  have  not  been 
reported,  but  there  is  recorded  on  our  books  that  the  sum  of  $14,219.87 
has  been  paid  in  benefits  and  relief. 

"  During  this  time,  2,439  persons  have  received  the  lessons  of  Virtue, 
Liberty  and  Patriotism  by  initiation,  and  while  this  is  nearly  three  times 
our  present  membership,  are  we  not  justified  in  thinking  that  many  of 
this  number  who  have  '  fallen  by  the  wayside '  by  reason  of  defunct  Coun- 
cils and  other  causes,  have  profited  by  the  lessons  taught  in  the  Council 
chambers  and  become  nobler  men  and  better  citizens  even  though  sepa- 
rated from  the  Order. 

"  A  total  of  $2,304.29  has  been  paid  as  per  capita  tax  to  the  National 
Council,  and  while  the  jurisdiction  has  no  children  there  at  the  present 
time,  yet  it  is  a  pleasure  to  know  and  feel  that  from  this  sum  we  have 
contributed  our  proportionate  amount  to  the  maintenance  of  that  grand 
and  noble  institution,  the  Orphans'  Home. 

"  Concluding,  it  seems  fitting  to  make  a  hasty  mention  of  a  few, 
who  by  their  efforts  and  willingness  have  done  all  in  their  power  to  bring 
success.  None  of  those  whose  names  appear  below  were  members  of  the 
State  Council  at  the  beginning;  but  their  labors  in  both  state  and  sub- 
ordinate bodies  should  be  recognized.     No  doubt  there  are  many  who  have 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  661 

labored  just  as  faithfully  along  the  '  picket  line,'  but  as  this  article  deals 
with  the  doings  of  the  State  Council,  we  cannot  mention  them  did  we 
know  them  all.  We  find  Past  State  Councilors  Starkey,  Farr,  White, 
Emerson,  Brown,  Jones,  Young  and  Coffrain  nearly  always  present  at  the 
sessions,  while  the  present  Board  of  Officers,  not  already  mentioned,  together 
with  Bros.  Wood,  of  Montpelier,  Hill,  of  St.  Johnsbury,  B.  F.  Humphrey 
and  Harris,  of  E.  Burke,  always  ready  to  respond  whenever  their  services 
are  needed. 

"  And  now  as  we  close  this  brief  account  of  the  work  and  doings  in 
this  jurisdiction,  we  desire  to  express  the  hope  that  when  the  next  history 
of  the  Order  is  written  we  may,  by  our  lives  and  labors  in  behalf  of  the 
Order,  demonstrate  that  the  principles  taught  in  our  Council  chambers  have 
not  been  in  vain." 

The  members  of  the  Order  in  Vermont  are  to  be  congratulated 
on  having  so  painstaking  a  State  Council  Secretary  as  Brother 
White.  The  synopsis  as  given  above  indicates  the  deep  interest 
of  our  brother  not  only  in  the  organization  in  his  own  state,  but  in 
this  portion  of  the  History  of  the  Order  to  which  he  has  contributed 
so  concise  an  article. 

Later  information  from  the  "  Green  Mountain  State  "  tells 
of  continued  prosperity  of  the  Order.  State  Councilor  Giddings' 
administration  that  ended  with  the  session  of  the  State  Council  in 
1907  was  successful,  and  now  (1907-1908)  under  the  leadership 
of  State  Councilor  Jeffrey,  the  organization  has  at  the  helm  an 
energetic  and  enthusiastic  champion  of  the  Junior  Order  whose 
campaign  will  undoubtedly  result  in  a  still  greater  increase.  In  the 
section  "  Who  is  Who  in  the  Order  "  the  reader  can  have  the  oppor- 
tunity of  looking  upon  the  faces  of  several  of  Vermont's  Juniors 
and  reading  a  brief  sketch  of  their  patriotic  work  in  the  interest 
of  the  organization. 


CHAPTER  XXXVI 
PROCEEDINGS  OF  STATE  COUNCILS  (Concluded) 

VIRGINIA 

BROTHER  Geo.  W.  Vollmer,  of  Eescue  Council,  No.  15,  of 
Pennsylvania,  introduced  the  Order  into  the  State  of  Vir- 
ginia in  the  month  of  April,  1872,  by  the  institution  of  Eescue 
Council,  No.  1.  The  Council,  however,  survived  but  a  short  time, 
going  out  of  business  in  June  of  1873.  The  Order  lay  dormant 
until  April  9,  1879,  when  Eescue  Council  was  revived  through  the 
efforts  of  several  of  its  former  members.  Other  Councils  followed 
in  the  order  named :  Stonewall,  No.  2,  July  25 ;  Virginia,  No.  3, 
in  November,  1879,  and  Bichmond,  No.  4,  August  21,  1885.  These 
were  followed  by  the  State  Council  of  Virginia,  instituted  on  the 
21st  of  October,"  1885. 

The  Order  made  commendable  progress  during  the  "  boom 
}rears "  of  1889-1896  and  it  spread  over  the  state,  reaching  72 
Councils  and  3,801  members  by  December  31,  1895.  The  last 
report  of  the  standing  of  the  State  Council  before  it  went  out  in 
rebellion  against  the  mandates  of  the  National  Council,  dated 
December  31,  1898,  showed  the  following: 

Number   of    Councils 124 

Number  of  Members 7,666 

Received  by  Subordinate  Councils $48,548.11 

Paid  for  Relief 24,180.40 

Worth  of  Councils 20,979.22 

The  State  Council  having  been  found  guilty  of  insubordina- 
tion by  the  National  Judiciary,  the  charter  was  suspended  and 
finally  revoked  by  the  National  Councilor,  Brother  Eeeves,  January 
12,  1901.  On  March  2,  1901,  a  new  (loyal)  State  Council  was 
instituted  with  a  membership  of  24  Councils  representing  3,540 
members.  The  officers  elected  to  steer  the  new  organization  were 
the  following: 

Jr.  Past  State  Councilor — Dr.  E.  H.  Heaton, 

State  Councilor — E.  L.  S.  Bouton, 

State  Vice-Councilor — James  R.  Mansfield, 

State  Council  Secretary — Geo.  E.  Sprow, 

State  Council  Treasurer — J.  E.  Boehn, 

National  Representatives — James  S.  Groves,  O.  B.  Hopkins  and  J.  E. 

Boehm. 
662 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  663 

Past  State  Councilors  of  the  old  organization  remaining  loyal 
were:  0.  B.  Hopkins,  G.  A.  Simmons,  Rev.  L.  W.  Guyer,  J.  E. 
Boehm  and  Dr.  E.  H.  Heaton. 

The  loyal  State  Council  was  destined  to  travel  a  "  rocky  road  " 
in  its  struggle  to  maintain  its  official  existence.  The  insurgent 
State  Council  disputed  their  right  to  do  business  in  Virginia,  and 
itself  working  under  a  special  charter  granted  by  the  Virginia 
Legislature  and  under  the  corporation  of  the  state,  claimed  that 
the  loyal  State  Body  was  an  illegal  body,  hence  filed  a  Bill  in 
Equity  against  it  before  the  Chancery  Court,  and  at  the  same  time 
the  Court  was  asked  to  restrain  the  loyal  State  Council  from  using 
the  name  of  the  Order,  "  or  any  other  name  of  like  import."  The 
case  was  tried  in  the  Chancery  Court  and  resulted  in  the  defeat 
of  the  loyal  Body.  The  attorneys  for  the  National  Council  ap- 
pealed the  case  to  the  Supreme  Court  of  Virginia,  which  tribunal 
affirmed  the  decision  of  the  lower  Court.  The  case  was  then  re- 
ferred to  the  Supreme  Court  of  the  United  States,  and  after  a 
hearing,  that  tribunal  simply  reaffirmed  the  Courts  of  Virginia, 
thereby  putting  the  loyal  State  Council,  for  the  present,  out  of 
business. 

Notwithstanding  the  handicap  that  rested  upon  the  loyal 
State  Body  and  the  organization  back  of  it,  by  the  opposition  of  the 
insurgent  State  Body  and  the  delay  in  the  Courts  in  having  the 
litigation  determined,  the  Order  in  Virginia  prospered  and  to-day 
would  be  a  strong  organization  was  it  not  for  the  adverse  decision 
of  the  Courts.  The  standing  of  the  State  Council  for  the  year 
ending  December  31,  1904,  was  as  follows: 

Number    of    Councils 49 

Number   of  Members 4,000 

Received  by  Subordinate  Councils $36,381.08 

Paid  for  Relief 13,874.94 

Worth  of  Councils 21,535.90 

The  officers  to  serve  for  the  ensuing  year  beginning  1905  were : 

Jr.  Past  State  Councilor — G.  C.  Jewell, 
State  Councilor — Eugene  Colver, 
State  Vice-Councilor — J.  W.  Jones, 
State  Council  Secretary — J.  E.  Boehm, 
State  Council  Treasurer — J.  H.  Trimyer, 

National  Council  Representatives — Dr.  E.  H.  Heaton,  E.  J.  Reed  and 
J.  W.  Forbes. 


664,  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

WASHINGTON 

While  yet  a  Territory,  the  Order  was  introduced  into  Wash- 
ington by  Deputy  National  Councilor  E.  Hollands,  of  New  York, 
by  the  institution  of  Forest  Lake  Council,  No.  1,  February  22, 
1889.  Mount  Tacoma,  No.  2,  followed  on  May  7,  same  year,  also 
instituted  by  Hollands.  Bay  City  Council  was  organized  by 
Brother  W.  S.  Schenck,  who  at  that  time  was  a  member  of  Wash- 
ington Council,  No.  1,  of  Wisconsin,  and  was  instituted  by  Deputy 
National  Councilor  Hollands  on  September  30,  1889.  Having, 
according  to  the  law  at  that  time,  enough  Councils  to  entitle  the 
Territory  to  a  State  Council,  a  charter  was  granted  for  same  and 
it  was  instituted  on  December  19,  1889,  by  the  Deputy  National 
Councilor,  after  which,  with  the  assistance  of  the  State  officers, 
he  instituted  Occidental  Council,  No.  4,  at  Bellingham. 

The  following  officers  were  selected  at  the  institution  of  the 
State  Council: 

Jr.  Past  State  Councilor — E.  Hollands, 

State  Councilor — Otto  Kaiser, 

State  Vice-Councilor — W.  S.  Schenck, 

State  Council  Secretary — E.  L.  Bardwell, 

State  Council  Treasurer — Sam  C.  Anderson, 

State  Council  Conductor — H.  C.  Coddington, 

State  Council  Warden — Wm.  Glassford, 

State  Council  Sentinels — Wm.  Miers  and  J.  A.  Martin. 

E.  L.  Bardwell,  however,  tendered  his  resignation  to  take  effect 
at  the  close  of  the  session,  and  C.  A.  Hanson  was  appointed  by  the 
Board  of  Officers  to  take  his  place,  who  served  but  part  of  the  year 
having  become  a  defaulter  and  left  for  parts  unknown  and  has 
never  been  heard  from.  The  State  Council  Treasurer,  Sam  C. 
Anderson,  was  appointed  in  his  place  to  serve  until  the  next  session 
of  the  State  Council.  Of  the  charter  members  of  the  State  Coun- 
cil, but  two  at  this  time  (1907)  are  left  and  still  members  of  the 
Order,  Brothers  W.  S.  Schenck  and  E.  L.  Bardwell. 


The  first  regular  session  of  the  State  Body  was  held  at  Tacoma, 
February  22,  1890,  and  the  officers  elected  at  the  institution  of  the 
State  Council,  with  the  exception  of  where  vacancies  occurred, 
were  continued  in  their  several  positions.  Brother  Sam  C.  Ander- 
son was  elected  State  Council  Secretary.  The  session  was  mainly 
taken  up  with  the  consideration  of  a  full  set  of  laws  which  were 
adopted. 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  665 

The  Second  Annual  Session  of  the  State  Body  convened  at 
Fairhaven,  February  21,  1891,  which  was  presided  over  by  State 
Councilor  Otto  Kaiser.  The  Order  during  the  year  did  not  make 
much  advance,  owing  largely  to  "  hard  times,"  thereby  driving  many 
people  from  the  state  into  other  sections  of  the  country.  How- 
ever, 4  new  Councils  had  been  instituted  and  the  membership  was 
placed  at  301  and  an  income  from  Subordinate  Councils  of 
$2,281.93  and  estimated  value  of  Councils  of  $1,403.66. 

The  State  Council  was  rather  unfortunate  with  its  officers,  as 
this  fiscal  year  charges  had  been  preferred  against  Jr.  Past  State 
Councilor  E.  Hollands  by  the  State  Council  Secretary  for  failing 
to  turn  over  certain  monies  claimed  to  be  due  the  State  Council. 
As  the  result  of  the  trial  by  his  Council,  he  was  expelled,  and  in 
lieu  thereof  E.  L.  Benton,  of  No.  6,  was  appointed  by  the  Board, 
Jr.  P.  S.  C.  But  Hollands  having  taken  an  appeal,  National  Coun- 
cilor Bartlett  decided  that  while  the  appeal  was  pending  no  one 
could  be  appointed  to  that  position,  hence  the  appointment  of 
Brother  Benton  was  declared  null  and  void. 

That  there  were  "  kickers  "  in  the  Order,  even  in  Washington, 
is  indicated  by  a  peculiar  resolution  offered  by  a  member  of  Council 
No.  1,  that  there  not  being  enough  Councils  in  the  Territory  to 
properly  support  a  State  Council,  it  should  disband  and  the  property 
be  returned  to  the  National  Council.  It  goes  without  saying  that 
the  resolution  was  defeated. 

The  following  officers  were  elected  for  the  ensuing  year : 

State  Councilor — W.  S.  Schenck, 
State  Vice-Councilor — Phil  Gallaher, 
State  Council  Secretary — Sam  C.  Anderson, 
State  Council  Treasurer — S.  E.  Guiberson. 


In  Third  Annual  Session,  the  State  Council  convened  at 
Tacoma,  February  22,  1892,  State  Councilor  Schenck  in  the  Chair. 
The  State  Councilor  gave  a  full  resume  of  the  condition  of  the 
Order  recounting  the  difficulties  that  confronted  the  organization. 
Six  Councils  had  been  instituted,  Nos.  9  to  14,  both  inclusive,  and 
the  membership  had  advanced  to  430.  The  State  Councilor,  among 
other  recommendations,  suggested  that  the  State  Council  send  one 
representative  to  the  National  Council,  but  the  body  refused  to  adopt 
the  recommendation. 


666  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 


The  following  officers  were  elected: 

State  Councilor — Geo.  W.  Boyd, 
State  Vice-Councilor — Dexter   Shoudy, 
State  Council  Secretary — Sam  C.  Anderson, 
State  Council  Treasurer — L.  C.  Matthews. 


Tacoma  again  entertained  the  State  Body  in  Annual  Session, 
the  Fourth,  February  22,  1893,  with  State  Councilor  Boyd  presid- 
ing, 17  members  being  present.  A  very  encouraging  communica- 
tion was  read  from  National  Councilor  Cranston,  in  which  he  stated 
that  the  brethren  of  Washington  would  have  the  opportunity  of  see- 
ing at  their  session  a  real  "  live  Easterner  "  in  the  person  of  Na- 
tional Organizer  Stephen  Collins,  whose  presence  was  not  only  an 
inspiration  but  helpful  to  the  plucky  band  of  Juniors  who  were 
struggling  amid  financial  depression  to  hold  the  Order  intact  in 
the  great  Northwest. 

It  is  presumed  that  the  law  allowed  but  one  day  for  the  session 
of  the  State  Council,  not  even  granting  of  a  night  session  under 
same,  from  the  fact  that  a  call  for  a  Special  Session  of  the  State 
Council  was  submitted  to  the  State  Board  of  Officers  to  follow  in 
the  evening  of  the  same  day  after  the  close  of  the  regular  session, 
for  the  purpose  of  considering  the  revised  code  of  By-laws  and 
Constitution,  which  call  was  granted  and  the  special  session  con- 
vened and  transacted  its  business  as  contemplated. 

Brother  Collins  was  appointed  Judge  of  the  Election  Board 
and  the  election  was  proceeded  with,  resulting  as  follows: 

State  Councilor — Dexter  Shoudy, 

State  Vice-Councilor — H.  E.  Graham, 

State  Council  Secretary — S.  C.  Anderson, 

State  Council  Treasurer — Otto  Kaiser, 

following  which  a  set  of  resolutions  were  adopted  and  presented 
Brother  Collins  for  his  presence  and  words  of  cheer. 


Owing  to  unfortunate  circumstances  and  financial  difficulties 
confronting  the  State  Council,  the  session  of  1894  was  held  at 
Whatcom  instead  of  Ellensburgh,  as  previously  selected.  In  the 
absence  of  both  State  Councilor  and  State  Vice-Councilor,  Deputy 
National  Councilor  C.  D.  Bhodes  presided.  But  one  officer,  Junior 
Past  State  Councilor  Boyd,  was  present,  and  ten  other  members 
of  the  State  Body. 

The  financial  depression  that  held  the  nation  in  its  ruthless 
grip  affected  Washington  and  it  was  with  difficulty  that  the  State 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  667 

Council  could  maintain  its  hold  at  all.  However,  with  the  assist- 
ance of  National  Organizer  Collins  and  Special  Organizer  Schenck, 
three  Councils  were  instituted  and  one  reorganized,  and  deducting 
three  Councils  that  had  gone  defunct,  there  remained  9  Councils 
and  164  members. 

The  Daughters  of  America  were  recognized  as  an  auxiliary  to 
the  State  Council,  and  the  Representatives  to  the  National  Council 
were  instructed  to  vote  to  make  the  first  named  organization  the 
auxiliary  to  the  National  Council.  Owing  to  the  Council  of  which 
the  State  Council  Secretary  was  a  member  becoming  defunct,  the 
State  Council  declared  the  office  of  Secretary  vacant. 

After  attending  to  several  items  of  business,  the  State  Council 
adjourned  with  the  following  officers  at  the  helm : 

State  Councilor — C.  D.  Rhodes, 

State  Vice-Councilor — C.  V.  Beardslee, 

State  Council  Secretary — W.  S.  Schenck, 

State  Council  Treasurer — H.  B.  Byron. 


The  Sixth  Annual  Session  was  held  at  Bothell,  February  22, 
1895,  with  State  Vice-Councilor  Beardslee  in  the  Chair.  But 
two  officers  answered  roll-call  and  seven  others.  The  State  Coun- 
cilor having  deserted  his  post  in  June  of  previous  year,  the  respon- 
sibility rested  upon  the  State  Vice-Councilor,  who  was  aided  by  the 
State  Council  Secretary,  Brother  Schenck,  whose  entire  career 
previous  as  well  as  subsequent,  has  been  marked  with  faithfulness 
to  duty  in  the  interests  of  Washington  Juniorism.  He  was  only 
able  to  report  at  this  time  6  Councils  and  93  members. 

The  officers  selected  for  the  ensuing  year  were: 

State  Councilor — C.  V.  Beardslee, 

State  Vice-Councilor — J.  M.  Riddle, 

State  Council  Secretary — W.  S.  Schenck, 

State  Council  Treasurer — S.  M.  Butler. 


The  session  of  1896  was  held  at  Toledo,  February  22,  with 
State  Councilor  C.  V.  Beardslee  presiding.  Among  the  representa- 
tives present  was  Prof.  C.  F.  Eeeves,  subsequently  elected  National 
Councilor.  W.  S.  Schenck  was  selected  by  the  Board  of  Officers 
to  represent  the  State  Council  at  the  National  session  in  the  month 
of  June  of  previous  year.  Brother  Reeves  also  was  appointed  to 
represent  the  State  Body  at  same  session. 


668  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

During  the  year  the  Order  had  made  a  phenomenal  advance, 
there  being  11  Councils  and  526  members.  Financially  the  Order 
had  made  progress,  as  well,  the  amount  raised  by  Subordinate  Coun- 
cils being  $2,386.37;  paid  for  Eelief,  $109.95;  worth  of  Councils, 
$2,412.48.  It  certainly  must  have  sent  a  thrill  of  gratification  to 
the  hearts  of  that  little  band  when  the  above  report  was  submitted. 
The  influence  and  work  of  Brothers  Eeeves,  Schenck,  Beardslee  and 
Kiddle  had  much  to  do  with  this  significant  uplift. 

In  the  election  of  officers,  the  following  were  selected : 

State  Councilor — A.  F.  Hoska, 
State  Vice-Councilor — J.   J.   Brumbach, 
State  Council  Secretary — W.  S.  Schenck, 
State  Council  Treasurer — S.  B.  Irish. 

The  "  American  Standard"  a  local  paper  published  at  Tacoma, 
by  Brother  F.  F.  Hopkins,  was  made  the  official  organ  of  the  Order 
in  the  state. 

The  Eighth  Annual  Session  convened  at  Tacoma,  February  22, 
1897,  with  State  Councilor  Hoska  in  the  Chair.  The  attendance 
was  fair,  six  of  the  officers  being  present.  The  Order  declined 
slightly  both  in  Councils  and  members,  there  being  a  loss  of  one 
Council. 

As  a  result  of  the  election,  the  following  were  named  as  the 
principal  officers  for  the  ensuing  year: 

State  Councilor — Prof.  C.  F.  Reeves, 
State  Vice-Councilor — J.  J.  Brumbach, 
State  Council  Treasurer — S.  B.  Irish. 


Seattle  entertained  the  State  Council  on  February  22,  1898, 
State  Councilor  Eeeves  presiding.  There  was  a  large  representa- 
tion, largest  in  the  history  of  the  State  Council.  While  there  was 
an  increase  of  10  Councils  organized  by  Special  Organizer  F.  F. 
Hopkins,  still  there  was  a  decline  in  membership  owing  to  the  heavy 
suspension  list,  there  being  reported  but  290  members. 

J.  J.  Brumbach  was  elected  State  Councilor,  L.  P.  Bowman 
State  Vice-Councilor  and  W.  S.  Schenck  and  S.  B.  Irish  State 
Council  Secretary  and  Treasurer,  respectively. 


At  New  Whatcom,  on  February  22,  1899,  the  Tenth  Annual 
Session  of  the  State  Body  convened,  with  State  Councilor  J.  J. 
Brumbach  presiding,  there  being  20  members  in  attendance.     The 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  669 

condition  of  the  Order  in  the  state  was  not  the  best;  while  three 
new  Councils  were  instituted,  7  became  defunct,  3  were  in  bad 
standing,  leaving  but  10  Councils  and  272  members. 

A  resolution  was  offered  that  the  National  Representatives 
work  for  the  adoption  of  some  good  mutual  protective  feature  for 
the  members  of  the  Order,  the  same  to  be  under  the  control  of  the 
National  Council  and  to  be  optional.  In  lieu  of  this  a  series  of 
resolutions  were  submitted  by  Brother  Hopkins  favoring : 

1.  A  three-degree  Ritual,  with  an  initiatory  working  degree 
so  simple  that  while  it  impresses  the  principles  of  the  Order,  it  may 
be  readily  taken  up  by  new  Councils,  and  they  still  may  have  more 
advanced  work  to  which  they  may  progress. 

2.  We  recommend  the  adoption  without  delay,  of  an  optional 
mutual  protective  beneficiary  feature  or  endowment  work,  under 
the  supervision  of  the  National  Council,  to  meet  the  popular  demand 
for  such  fraternal  insurance. 

3.  We  recommend  that  ladies  be  admitted  to  full  membership 
in  the  same  Council  as  the  brothers,  at  least  in  the  initiatory  degree 
and  the  endowment  rank. 

The  first  and  second  propositions  were  adopted,  but  the  third 
was  not  concurred  in  by  the  State  Council. 

A  resolution  expressive  of  the  regret  of  the  State  Council  on 
the  death  of  Luther  Chapin,  the  founder  of  the  0.  U.  A.  M.  -in  1845, 
which  occurred  on  February  19,  1899,  was  adopted  and  sent  to  the 
National  Council  of  the  Senior  Order. 

Brother  J.  M.  Riddle,  when  State  Vice-Councilor  in  1895, 
submitted  a  resolution  requesting  the  National  Representatives 
to  urge  the  National  Council  to  strike  out  of  the  Ritual  and  Declar- 
ation of  Principles  all  clauses  that  pertained  to  Socialism.  The 
Committee  having  the  report  in  charge  thought  this  was  a  violation 
of  the  principles  of  the  Order,  being  "  surprised  to  find  a  member 
of  the  Jr.  0.  U.  A.  M.  who  has  received  official  distinction  and  has 
been  recognized  by  the  State  Council  as  its  Vice-Councilor,  should 
so  far  forget  himself  as  to  try  and  denounce  the  Declaration  of 
Principles  and  Ritual,  and  in  our  judgment  he  ought  to  be  repri- 
manded by  the  State  Council,"  which  report  was  adopted.  Brother 
Riddle  only  forecasted  what  a  few  years  subsequent  came  to  pass, 
by  the  action  of  the  National  Council  at  Louisville,  in  1898,  by 
request  of  the  State  Council  of  Pennsylvania.  Brother  Riddle  at 
this  session  realizing  an  injustice  had  been  done  him,  asked  that 


670  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

the  resolution  of  censure  and  its  vote  be  rescinded,  which  the  State 
Body  did  very  cheerfully. 

The  State  Council  closed  with  Brother  F.  F.  Hopkins  as  State 
Councilor  and  Thos.  M.  Fisher  as  State  Vice-Councilor. 


Tacoma  entertained  the  State  Council  on  February  22,  1900, 
with  State  Councilor  Hopkins  in  the  Chair.  During  the  year  one 
of  the  influential  members  of  the  State  Council,  Prof.  C.  F.  Reeves, 
was  highly  honored  by  being  elected  National  Vice-Councilor,  whose 
presence  at  this  session  was  a  source  of  inspiration.  Owing  to  an 
epidemic  of  smallpox,  the  session  could  not  be  held  at  Centralia, 
the  place  fixed  by  the  previous  session,  hence,  by  action  of  the  Board 
of  Officers,  the  meeting  was  changed  as  above  stated. 

Another  year  of  hard  and  faithful  work  on  the  part  of  the 
State  officers  had  not  availed  much  as  the  Order  had  still  declined 
since  the  last  session;  yet  with  "faith  undimmed"  and  pluck 
commendable,  the  brothers  of  Washington  held  onto  the  belaying 
pins  of  the  old  ship,  while  they  hoped  and  prayed  for  brighter  days. 

The  election  of  officers  resulted  as  follows: 

State  Councilor — Thos.  M.  Fisher, 
State  Vice-Councilor — C.  N.  Young, 
State  Council  Secretary — W.  S.  Schenck, 
State  Council  Treasurer J.  A.  Kelso. 


In  annual  session  the  twelfth,  the  State  Council  convened  at 
Centralia,  February  22,  1901,  being  presided  over  by  State  Coun- 
cilor Fisher.  The  National  Councilor,  Prof.  C.  F.  Eeeves,  again 
graced  the  session  with  his  presence  and  aided  the  brethren  with 
his  counsel.  Nothing  but  mere  routine  business  was  transacted 
and  the  session  closed  with  the  following  officers : 

State  Councilor — C.  N.  Young, 
State  Vice-Councilor — J.  R.  Buxton, 
State  Council  Secretary — W.  S.  Schenck, 
State  Council  Treasurer — J.  R.  Ellis. 


Seattle  received  the  State  Council  February  22,  1902,  State 
Councilor  Young  presiding,  with  18  members  present.  The  stand- 
ing of  the  State  Council  showed  8  Councils  and  222  members,  three 
Councils  having  been  instituted  or  reorganized.  Receipts  of  State 
Council,  $320.27;  disbursements,  $255.17. 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  671 

The  following  were  selected  to  direct  the  State  Council  for  the 
ensuing  year: 

State  Councilor — J.  R.  Buxton, 

State  Vice-Councilor — J.  M.  Riddle   (second  term), 

State  Council  Secretary — W.  S.  Schenck, 

State  Council  Treasurer — P.  W.  Pierce. 


The  Fourteenth  and  Fifteenth  annual  sessions  of  the  State 
Council  were  held  at  Tacoma.  February  21,  1903,  and  at  Whatcom, 
February  22,  1904,  respectively,  State  Councilor  Buxton  presiding 
at  the  former  session  and  State  Councilor  Riddle  at  the  latter.  Z. 
Stewart  was  promoted  State  Councilor  at  the  session  of  1904,  while 
I.  S.  Turner  was  elected  State  Vice-Councilor  and  Carl  H.  Reeves 
was  selected  for  State  Council  Secretary  and  P.  W.  Pierce  was 
reelected  State  Council  Treasurer. 


We  close  the  story  of  the  State  Council  of  Washington  with  the 
annual  session  of  1905,  held  at  Centralia,  February  22,  State 
Councilor  Stewart  presiding.  The  following  standing  of  the  State 
Council  was  submitted : 

Number   of   Councils 4 

Number  of  Members 145 

Received  by  Subordinate  Councils $1,493.32 

Paid  for  Relief 616.75 

Worth  of  Councils 593.84 

The  report  of  State  Council  Secretary  Reeves  was  quite  elab- 
orate, in  which  he  gave  a  careful  resume  of  the  business  connected 
with  the  State  Council,  as  well  as  to  the  condition  of  the  Order  in 
the  state. 

The  Committee  on  the  Good  of  the  Order  disapproved  of  the 
proposed  amendment  to  the  National  Council  Constitution  for 
biennial  sessions  of  the  National  Council,  but  approved  biennial 
terms  for  National  Council  officers,  which  action  was  concurred 
in  by  the  State  Council. 

The  election  of  officers  resulted  as  follows: 

State  Councilor — I.  S.  Turner, 

State  Vice-Councilor — C.  N.  Groat, 

State  Council  Treasurer — P.  W.  Pierce, 

State  Council  Conductor — J.  M.  Snow, 

State  Council  Warden — F.  M.  Skinner, 

State  Council  Sentinels — 0.  L.  Palmer  and  N.  R.  Lund. 

with  Carl  H.  Reese  as  a  hold  over,  for  Secretary. 


672  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

The  above  brief  sketch  of  the  Order  in  Washington  is  the  story 
of  fierce  struggles  and  great  discouragements  scarcely  paralleled 
in  any  state  in  the  Union;  but  with  the  blood  of  patriots  in  their 
veins  the  little  band  of  freemen  stood  for  the  principles  of  the 
organization.  Among  those  Avho  were  true  to  the  Order  and  labored 
hard  for  its  success  might  be  named  the  following: 

Past  National  Councilor  C.  P.  Beeves,  Past  State  Councilors 
Schenck,  Eiddle,  Hopkins,  Baxter,  Fisher,  Beardslee,  Stewart  and 
I.  S.  Turner,  State  Council  Secretary  Carl  Peeves,  State  Council 
Treasurer  Pierce,  State  Vice-Councilor  (1905)  C.  N.  Groat  and 
National  Eepresentative  Kelso. 

Among  the  most  active  Councils  of  the  jurisdiction  of  Wash- 
ington and  composed  of  some  of  the  most  active  members  of  the 
Order  is  Bay  City  Council,  No.  3,  which,  at  present  writing  (1907), 
is  prosperous,  having  more  than  100  of  a  membership.  Out  of  a 
list  of  25  charter  members,  but  three  remain  as  members,  viz.: 
Past  State  Councilors  W.  S.  Schenck  and  J.  M.  Eiddle,  and  A.  E. 
Parmelee 

WEST  VIRGINIA 

The  "  Mountain  State,"  as  it  is  often  termed,  quite  early  im- 
bibed the  spirit  and  principles  of  the  Order,  but  it  was  short-lived, 
so  far  as  the  existence  of  Councils  are  concerned. 

The  inception  of  the  Junior  Order  United  American  Mechan- 
ics in  the  state  was  at  Wheeling,  in  the  year  1870,  a  charter  having 
been  granted  Eoger  Sherman  Council,  No.  1,  April  25,  with  20 
applicants,  and  was  instituted  by  Brother  J.  F.  Smith,  of  Friend- 
ship Council,  No.  1,  of  Ohio.  From  Brother  Deemer's  History  of 
the  Order,  we  learn  that  the  Order  was  introduced  into  the  State 
of  West  Virginia  by  Brother  Wm.  M.  Weckerly,  of  the  O.  U.  A.  M. 
from  Pennsylvania,  who  was  engaged  in  the  work  of  organizing  the 
Senior  Order  in  the  state.  The  year  following,  1871,  Eagle  Coun- 
cil, No.  2,  and  Jefferson  Council,  No.  3,  both  of  Wheeling,  were 
instituted,  whereupon,  sometime  in  February,  1872,  the  State  Coun- 
cil of  West  Virginia  was  instituted. 

While  with  one  Council,  and  under  the  jurisdiction  of  the 
National  Council,  Eoger  Sherman  Council,  No.  1,  was  represented 
at  the  session  of  the  National  Council,  at  its  meeting  held  in  the 
City  of  Camden,  N.  J.,  by  its  first  Councilor,  it  is  presumed,  John 
T.  Cowl,  who  must  have  conveyed  a  favorable  impression  upon  his 
associates,  as  he  was  taken  up  as  a  candidate  for  National  Vice- 
Councilor,  and,  on  second  ballot,  was  elected,  by  a  vote  of  8  to  7. 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  673 

At  the  following  session  he  was  elevated  to  the  Chair  of  National 
Councilor,  a  State  Council  in  the  meantime  having  hcen  instituted 
as  already  noted.  For  some  reason,  the  facts  of  which  we  were 
unable  to  learn,  the  State  Council  disbanded  as  well  as  the  three 
Councils  referred  to,  sometime  prior  to  the  session  of  the  National 
Council  in  1813,  when  it  was  held  at  Wilmington,  Del.,  as  neither 
the  report  of  the  membership,  percentage,  or  the  National  Councilor 
was  in  evidence;  in  fact,  no  communication  whatever  was  received 
from  the  "  Mountain  State."  As  a  result  of  this  neglect,  the  State 
Council  Charter  was  revoked,  the  office  of  National  Councilor  de- 
clared vacant  and  another  was  elected  to  take  his  place  for  the 
session,  and  West  Virginia,  as  far  as  the  Order  was  concern'' I, 
dropped  out  of  existence  as  completely  as  the  ten  tribes  of  Israel 
in  olden  times. 

Outside  of  a  casual  reference  to  the  state  in  1880,  by  the  Na- 
tional Councilor,  who  stated  in  his  report  that  he  had  appointed 
P.  S.  C.  Jos.  C.  Blackbourne,  of  Ohio,  D.  N.  C.  over  West  Virginia, 
the  Order  lay  dormant  until  1887,  when  it  took  on  new  life  in  the 
institution  of  Wheeling  Council,  No.  1,  at  Wheeling,  November  24, 
with  20  charter  members,  which  was  followed  by  Benwood  Council, 
No.  2,  at  Benwood,  February  18,  1888,  with  13  applicants  and  Cum- 
berland Council,  No.  3,  at  New  Cumberland,  on  April  4,  same  year, 
with  16  applicants.  Brother  J.  P.  Branin,  of  Ohio,  instituted  No. 
1 ;  P.  S.  C.  J.  F.  Koehnline,  of  Pennsylvania,  No.  2 ;  and  J.  L. 
Degant,  of  West  Virginia,  No.  3.  These  were  followed  by  the  in- 
stitution of  Magnolia  Council,  No.  4,  New  Martinsville,  December  4, 
1888;  Washington  Council,  No.  5,  Wheeling,  February  21,  1889; 
Mound  City  Council,  No.  6,  Moundsville,  March  4 ;  Marshall  Coun- 
cil, No.  7,  Cameron,  March  11 ;  Columbus  Council,  No.  8,  Man- 
nington,  March  18  ;  Standard  Council,  No.  9,  Wellsburg,  March  15  ; 
Augusta  Council,  No.  10,  Sistersville,  March  18;  Industry  Council, 
No.  11,  Morgantown,  April  11 ;  Parkersburg  Council,  No.  12,  Park- 
ersburg,  April  19 ;  St.  Mary's  Council,  No.  13,  Eiverside,  April  19 ; 
Mountain  City  Council,  No.  14,  Crafton,  April  26;  Ravenswood 
Council,  No.  15,  Ravenswood,  May  10 ;  Pride  of  the  Interio'r  Coun- 
cil, No.  16,  Buchanan,  May  20 — all  the  same  year. 

INSTITUTION  OF  THE  STATE  COUNCIL  OF  WEST  VIRGINIA 

With  Representatives  from  the  above  list  of  Councils,  the  State 
Council  of  West  Virginia  was  instituted  June  10,  1889,  J.  D.  Hall 
being  appointed  D.  S.  C,  who,  with  Phil.  A.  Schaeffer  were  in 
attendance  at  the  session  of  the  National   Council  that  met  at 

43 


674  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

Haverhill,  Mass.,  same  year  as  National  Representatives,  at  which 
session,  Brother  Schaeffer  was  elected  N.  I.  S. 

In  common  with  other  states,  the  Order  in  West  Virginia  had 
a  struggle  to  gain  a  foothold,  there  being  many  obstacles  thrown  in 
its  way  by  both  the  enemies  of  the  Public  Schools  and  other  secret 
and  fraternal  societies.  Unlike  the  men  who  tried  the  experiment 
of  maintaining  the  Order  16  years  before,  those  who  now  were  at 
the  helm  were  men  of  standing,  pluck  and  enthusiasm,  and  ere  two 
years  had  elapsed,  the  Junior  Order  passed  all  other  American  or- 
ganizations in  the  state  in  strength  and  influence,  while  the  atten- 
tion of  the  public  was  attracted  by  the  zeal  of  its  members  and  the 
growth  of  the  organization. 

In  order  to  remove  the  erroneous  impression  that  had  gone  forth 
relative  to  the  Objects  and  Principles  of  the  Order,  public  meetings 
were  held  and  the  doctrines  and  teachings  of  the  Order  were  pre- 
sented by  men  qualified  to  do  so,  as  for  instance,  Rev.  Bro.  Covert, 
of  Pennsylvania,  who  at  that  time  was  a  vigorous  defender  of  the 
Order  as  well  as  an  able  expounder  of  its  doctrines ;  and  to  such  an 
extent,  by  the  placing  of  flags  over  school  buildings,  etc.,  was  a 
favorable  sentiment  awakened  that  hundreds  knocked  at  the  portals 
of  the  Council  chambers  asking  admission. 

Through  the  courtesy  of  Brother  Brent  Shriver,  State  Council 
Secretary,  the  writer  obtained  the  printed  proceedings  of  the  State 
Council,  as  well  as  other  valuable  information.  Unfortunately,  the 
proceedings  of  the  first  four  years  of  the  State  Council  were  not 
available. 


The  Fourth  Annual  Session  of  the  State  Council  was  held  at 
Fairmount,  July  19-21,  1892,  presided  over  by  S.  O,  A.  A.  Askey. 
This  session  was  well  attended,  there  being  about  75  members 
present,  each  Council  at  that  time  being  allowed  two  representa- 
tives ;  but  at  this  session  the  Constitution  was  so  amended  that  each 
Council  was  entitled  to  but  one  representative,  and  their  "  actual 
expenses  "  to  be  paid.  The  law  relative  to  Standing  Committees 
was  so  amended  that  all  but  two  were  composed  of  five  members. 

There  was  developed  at  this  session  a  strong  temperance  senti- 
ment and  this  high  standard  of  morality  was  always  a  marked 
feature  of  succeeding  sessions.  In  reply  to  a  question  whether  an 
applicant  for  initiation  who  was  engaged  in  selling  intoxicants  was 
fit  to  become  a  member  of  the  Order.  Seventy-one  answered  No, 
while  but  eight  said,  Yes. 

The  year  previous  had  been  marked  with  great  success  in  the 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  675 

progress  of  the  Order,  31  new  Councils  having  been  instituted, 
making  in  all  70  Councils  with  a  membership  of  2,907. 

Another  feature  of  this  session,  and  a  very  creditable  one  too, 
(and  the  same  was  seen  in  most  of  the  subsequent  sessions  of  the 
State  Body),  was  the  absence  of  a  "slate"  when  it  came  to  the  hour 
of  the  election  of  the  officers  for  the  ensuing  year.  There  were  a 
large  number  of  nominations  for  each  office  and  the  contest  was 
lively,  frequently  requiring  from  two  to  seven  ballots  to  decide. 


Buckhannon  entertained  the  Fifth  Annual  Session,  September 
12-14,  1893,  with  Brother  E.  D.  Lappert  in  the  Chair.  The  reports 
showed  continued  prosperity  in  the  institution  of  new  Councils  as 
well  as  in  gain  of  membership ;  but  difficulties  to  some  extent 
marred  the  peace  and  harmony  of  the  year,  a  special  session  of  the 
State  Body  having  been  called  in  February  to  adjust  matters.  It 
was  claimed  that  the  State  Council  Secretary  had  failed  to  turn 
over  a  large  amount  of  the  State  Council's  money,  $1,116,  and  had 
not  paid  the  National  Council  per  capita  tax,  the  failure  of  which 
had  placed  the  State  Council  of  West  Virginia  in  jeopardy.  Hav- 
ing arranged  matters  satisfactory,  the  work  went  on  under  Brother 
Lapperts  administration  with  continued  zeal,  and  when  the  brethren 
left  this  session  they  went  forth  with  the  determination  to  regain 
their  lost  ground  financially;  and  it  is  gratifying  to  state  that  when 
they  met  in  Sixth  Annual  Session,  all  indebetdness  was  met  and 
they  had  money  in  the  treasury. 

Brother  Brent  Shriver  was  elected  State  Council  Secretary  at 
this  session,  which  position  he  has  faithfully  and  efficiently  filled 
up  to  the  present  time  (1907).  Brother  C.  C.  Newman,  so  well 
and  favorably  known  to  many  in  the  National  Body,  was  elected 
State  Council  Treasurer,  which  responsible  position  he  still  retains. 


The  session  of  the  State  Council  for  1894  was  held  at  Mounds- 
ville,  in  September,  John  Kirk  presiding,  there  being  99  Councils 
in  good  standing.  At  the  last  session  the  charter  had  been  left 
at  the  hotel,  but  mysteriously  disappeared — two  men,  the  proprietor 
said,  had  carried  it  away,  it  being  framed.  No  clue  was  found  as 
to  whom  the  culprits  were. 

The  session  was  a  pleasant  one,  all  working  harmoniously 
for  the  upbuilding  of  the  Order. 


The  Seventh  Annual  Session  was  held  at  Piedmont,  September 
10  and  11,  1895,  State  Councilor  John  Kee  iu  the  Chair.     Another 


676  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

prosperous  year  was  reported,  36  new  Councils  having  been  insti- 
tuted and  the  membership  had  reached  5,500. 

A  friendly  and  brotherly  inter-state  courtesy  was  manifested 
at  this  session,  that  of  permitting  applicants  living  near  the  Mary- 
land line  to  be  initiated  in  a  Council  of  the  border  state  nearest 
their  home.  The  same  courtesy  was  granted  by  the  Maryland  State 
Council,  Brother  H.  S.  Barry,  at  the  time,  being  State  Councilor. 

The  report  of  the  State  Councilor  was  an  exceptionally  well 
prepared  paper,  and  as  a  literary  composition  deserves  a  place  in  the 
archives  of  the  body.  His  remarks  on  "  fraternity  "  were  timely 
and  well  expressed. 

Clarksburg,  in  1896,  received  the  State  Body  in  annual  session, 
at  which  session  Brother  E.  J.  Savage,  State  Councilor,  presided, 
while  in  1897,  Wheeling  performed  the  same  honor,  at  which  time 
Brother  S.  O,  F.  M.  Cheuvront  occupied  the  Chair. 

During  the  interim  between  these  two  sessions,  some  practical 
work  had  been  accomplished  by  the  Order  in  the  state.  A  manda- 
mus had  been  procured  from  the  Supreme  Court  of  Appeals  to  re- 
strain the  reading  of  the  Holy  Bible  in  one  of  the  schools  of  the 
state.  Quick  to  act  in  defense  of  one  of  the  cherished  objects  of 
the  organization,  the  Board  of  Officers  of  West  Virginia  secured  the 
services  of  National  Councilor  Perry  A.  Shanor  to  prosecute  the  case 
in  the  courts.  In  the  meantime,  the  State  Councilor  sent  to  the 
Councils  of  the  state  a  strong  appeal  to  "  make  this  fight  our 
fight,"  and  royally  did  the  members  respond.  The  case,  however, 
was  decided  in  favor  of  the  Order,  the  mandamus  having  been 
removed. 

The  "  Mountain  State  Gavel,"  a  journal  published  in  the  inter- 
est of  the  Order  for  the  state,  came  in  for  great  commendation 
for  its  determined  stand  in  defense  of  the  Fifth  Object  and  the 
uplift  it  gave  the  Order. 

In  1898,  the  State  Body  met  in  Annual  Session  at  Huntington, 
September  13-15,  State  Councilor  E.  A.  Flesher  in  the  Chair. 

With  this  session  the  first  decade  of  the  State  Council  was 
closed,  showing  a  great  advance  in  the  Order  in  that  time,  there 
being  157  Councils  and  6,482  members. 


The  Eleventh  Annual  Session  was  held  at  Morgantown,  Sep- 
tember 12-14,  1899,  State  Councilor  W.  F.  Wilson  in  the  Chair. 
The  records  show  that  150  attended  the  session  and  the  business 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  677 

was  mostly  of  a  routine  character,  acting  on  reports,  etc.  Brother 
M.  B.  Summers  was  elected  State  Councilor.  In  1900  the  State 
Council  met  at  Parkersburg,  with  Brother  Summers  presiding. 
Of  1901  session  we  have  no  record;  but  in  1902  the  body  met  at 
New  Martinsville  with  Arthur  Reese  in  the  Chair.  A.  0.  Allison 
presided  over  the  session  of  1903  at  its  meeting  held  at  Martinsburg. 
During  these  years  while  in  some  of  the  states  rebellion  was 
rampant,  West  Virginia,  true  to  her  old-time  principles,  was  loyal 
to  the  banner  of  the  Order  throughout  those  critical  years.  It  is 
true,  however,  that  some  of  the  brethren  of  West  Virginia  had 
different  views  from  some  of  the  leaders  of  the  administration  rela- 
tive to  the  controversy  and  did  not  approve  of  all  that  the  National 
Council  had  done ;  but  with  all  the  differences  of  opinion  as  to  the 
policy  of  the  administration,  there  was  not  the  semblance  of  dis- 
loyalty so  far  as  the  records  show. 


The  Sixteenth  Annual  Session  convened  at  Charleston,  Sep- 
tember, 1904,  with  A.  J.  Frick  in  the  Chair,  and  in  1905  found 
the  state  body  at  Elkins,  at  which  time  Brother  C.  M.  Bennett  pre- 
sided as  State  Councilor. 

The  session  at  the  latter  place  was  a  very  pleasant  one,  and 
the  recognition  of  the  Order  by  Senator  Elkins  whose  grounds  were 
thrown  open  to  the  visitors  was  appreciated.  Z.  T.  McBee  was 
elected  State  Councilor. 


The  Eighteenth  Annual  Session  of  the  State  Council  of  West 
Virginia  was  held  at  Huntington,  September  19  and  20,  1906, 
State  Councilor  Z.  T.  McBee  in  the  Chair. 

The  statistical  resume  of  Subordinate  Councils  under  date  of 

August  15,  1906,  is  as  follows: 

Receipts  for  the  year $30,541.31 

Paid  for  Benefits  during  the  year 12,029.49 

Invested  by  Subordinate  Councils 20,701.77 

In  Treasuries  of  Subordinate  Councils 12,597.70 

Receipts  of  State  Council $5,181.89 

Expenditures  of  State  Council 4,183.17 

Balance  in  Treasury $998.72 

Councils  in   Good   Standing 87 

Total    Membership 4,752 

Amount  Received  from  Per  Capita  Tax $3,619.25 

Amount  Received  from   Special  Tax 556.77 


678  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

The  following  resolution  must  be  commended  by  all  lovers  of 
sobriety,  and  speaks  well  for  the  West  Virginia  brethren : 

"  To  the  Officers  and  Members  of  the  State  Council  of  West  Virginia  Junior 
Order  United  American  Mechanics. 

"  Whereas,  It  has  come  to  the  knowledge  of  several  of  our  members 
that  one  of  our  representatives  has  been  guilty  of  conduct  unbecoming  a 
member  of  our  Order,  by  being  grossly  intoxicated  upon  the  streets  of  this 
city  last  evening;  therefore,  be  it 

"  Resolved,  That  in  appreciation  of  the  courtesy  extended  our  dele- 
gates by  the  city  administration,  we  denounce  and  disapprove  the  conduct 
of  said  brother." 

The  following  officers  were  elected  and  installed  for  the  ensuing 
year: 

State  Councilor — C.  R.  Lavalley, 
State  Vice-Councilor — F.  W.  Seaber, 
State  Council  Warden — 0.  J.  Daniells, 
State  Council  Conductor — H.  D.  Correll, 
State  Council  Inside  Sentinel — F.  A.  Jacques, 
State  Council  Outside  Sentinel — G.  W.  Poisal, 
State  Council  Chaplain — Balser  Rexroad, 
National  Council  Representative — M.  B.  Summers. 

Brothers  Brent  Shriver,  State  Council  Secretary,  and  C.  C. 
Newman,  State  Council  Treasurer,  in  accordance  with  the  Consti- 
tution, were  "  hold-overs,"  their  terms  not  having  expired.  These 
two  officers  had  won  the  respect  and  confidence  of  their  brethren 
and  from  term  to  term  they  have  been  honored  by  reelection. 

The  State  Council  has  been  quite  modest  in  making  sugges- 
.  tions  to  the  National  Council  in  the  way  of  legislation ;  but  when 
it  did,  it  asked  for  the  right  thing.  This  is  true  relative  to  the 
Ritual  question,  the  State  Body  always  being  in  favor  of  a  better 
as  well  as  a  three-degree  Ritual.  In  this  connection  it  might  be 
stated  that  National  Representative  C.  H.  Wolfes,  of  West  Virginia, 
is  a  member  of  the  present  (1905-1907)  Special  Committee  on 
Ritual  of  the  National  Council. 

A  study  of  the  proceedings  of  the  State  Council  of  any  state 
brings  out  prominently  those  who  have  "  stood  by  the  stuff."  In 
West  Virginia,  among  those  who  have  been  more  or  less  active, 
might  be  mentioned  the  following:  Brothers  Shriver,  Newman, 
Bennett,  Summers,  Lappert,  Askey,  Wolfes,  Savage,  Flesher,  Frick, 
Kee,  Kirk,  McBee,  Warfuel,  McGrhee,  Allison;  besides  a  host  of 
silent  workers  in  the  ranks,  not  forgetting  to  mention  C.  R.  Laval- 
ley  and  Fred  W.  Seaber,  the  present  (1906)  State  Councilor  and 
State  Vice-Councilor. 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  679 

WISCONSIN 

Past  State  Councilor  F.  J.  Shaler,  then  of  Illinois,  introduced 
the  Order  into  Wisconsin  by  the  institution  of  Washington  Council, 
No.  1,  at  Stevens  Point,  December  15,  1888,  which  was  followed 
by  America  Council,  No.  2,  February  27,  1890;  Lincoln  Council, 
No.  3,  March  14,  same  year;  Winona,  No.  4,  March  16,  1892;  Col. 
Ellsworth,  No.  5,  September  2,  and  Milwaukee,  No.  6,  September 
15,  same  year.  The  last  two  by  Stephen  Collins  who  instituted 
the  State  Council  Oct.  10.  1892.  The  first  State  Councilor  was 
H.  A.  Kinney,  and  at  the  time  of  the  institution  of  the  State 
Council  G.  H.  Erridge  was  made  Jr.  P.  S.  C. 

We  were  unable  to  obtain  data  relative  to  the  Order  in  the 
state  other  than  is  found  in  the  Proceedings  of  the  National  Coun- 
cil. That  the  "  Badger  State "  had  a  "  rocky  road,"  so  far  as 
the  Junior  Order  is  concerned,  is  borne  out  by  National  Councilor 
Richter  in  his  report  to  the  National  Council  of  1895.  "  To  my 
mind,"  says  the  National  Councilor,  "  no  other  state  has  had  more 
'  hard  luck '  than  Wisconsin.  From  7  Councils  and  450  members, 
our  Order  has  decreased  to  5  Councils  and  200  members." 

The  National  Board  of  Officers  during  the  year  gave  special 
attention  to  Wisconsin  and  made  several  efforts  to  secure  Special 
Organizers  to  enter  the  field,  but  failed.  In  the  meantime,  Brother 
A.  W.  Izenour,  of  Pennsylvania,  attempted  to  do  'some  work,  but 
met  with  indifferent  success.  Brother  Jos.  S.  Eeynolds,  of  Illinois, 
was  directed  to  give  some  attention  to  the  Order  and  his  presence 
inspired  little  enthusiasm. 

National  Organizer  Jos.  Powell,  who  was  directed  to  visit  the 
state  following  the  session  of  the  National  Council  of  1895,  reached 
Stevens  Point,  August  16,  where  he  found  the  organization  at  low 
ebb,  the  Councils  everywhere  disheartened  and  the  Order  on  the 
decline.  Already  several  Councils  had  dissolved  and  the  attempt 
to  reorganize  them  proved  unavailing.  Brother  E.  W.  Sellers  at 
this  time  was  the  State  Councilor  and  he  did  all  in  his  power  to 
cooperate  with  the  National  Organizer  in  reviving  the  Order,  but 
they  found  much  unrest  growing  out  of  the  former  supervision  of 
the  State  Council  which  drove  many  out  of  the  organization. 

Brother  Powell  not  only  found  a  most  earnest  worker  in 
Brother  Sellers,  but  also  in  Brother  H.  J.  Slifer,  of  Pennsylvania, 
who  had  removed  from  his  native  state  to  Wisconsin.  Brother 
Slifer  was  Deputy  National  Councilor  and  gave  much  inspiration 
wherever  he  went.     In  his  report  to  the  National  Council  for  1896, 


680  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

he  spoke  in  the  highest  terms  of  the  work  of  Brothers  Powell  and 
Sellers,  and  was  able  to  give  a  more  encouraging  report  of  the  state 
than  hitherto,  there  being  a  gain  of  100  per  cent,  in  Councils  and 
50  per  cent,  in  members. 

A  peculiar  condition  was  present  in  the  State  Council  of  Wis- 
consin in  1897  which  called  forth  the  exercise  of  executive  authority 
somewhat  out  of  the  usual  order.  It  was  found  that  nearly  the 
entire  Board  of  Officers  of  the  State  Council  were  inactive  and 
neglected  the  business  of  the  organization  to  such  an  extent  that 
the  Order  was  nearly  wrecked.  The  situation  becoming  so  serious, 
National  Councilor  P.  A.  Shanor  issued  a  proclamation  authorizing 
Deputy  National  Councilor  Sellers,  as  well  as  empowering  him,  to 
take  possession  of  the  property  and  effects  of  the  State  Council, 
receive  the  per  capita  tax,  distribute  the  password  and  to  perform 
all  other  duties  that  was  necessary  until  the  meeting  of  the  State 
Council. 

The  result  of  this  enlargement  of  the  power  of  the  National 
Councilor  proved  the  wisdom  of  the  act,  as  the  session  of  the  State 
Council  following  was  one  of  the  most  enthusiastic  ever  held  in  the 
state  and  the  Order  never  was  in  better  shape  for  active  and 
successful  work. 

The  Order,  however,  had  a  continual  struggle,  sometimes  up, 
then  down,  making  but  little  advance.  The  standing  of  the  State 
Council  December  31,  190-1,  indicates  the  condition  of  the  Order 
in  the  state : 

Number   of  Councils 4 

Number    of    Members 131 

Received  by  Subordinate  Councils $947.13 

Paid   for   Relief 461.24 

Worth   of   Councils 298.33 

Since  the  Order  has  been  introduced  into  the  state,  17  Coun- 
cils have  been  instituted,  of  which,  as  above  stated,  but  4  remain. 
Wisconsin  contains  a  large  foreign  population,  hence  it  has  been 
difficult  to  maintain  the  organization  in  the  state.  Of  those  who 
composed  the  State  Council  at  its  institution,  but  two  remain  in 
good  standing,  E.  W.  Sellers  and  W.  W.  Gregory.  Past  State 
Councilors  in  good  standing  (1907)  are  E.  W.  Sellers,  Senior  Past 
State  Councilor,  W.  H.  Norstrant,  D.  E.  Sneller,  James  M.  Doug- 
lass, John  Sellers  and  Geo.  Campbell.  Past  National  Representa- 
tives Fred  J.  Carpenter,  Frank  H.  Patterson,  Henry  K.  West  and 
F.  B.  Gano. 


CHAPTER  XXXVII 
WHERE  STATE   COUNCILS    DO  NOT  NOW  EXIST 

IN  every  State  and  Territory  of  the  Union,  with  the  exception 
of  North  Dakota,  the  banner  of  Jnniorism  at  some  time  in  the 
history  of  the  Order,  has  been  unfurled  to  the  breeze  of  a  free 
country;  in  some  State  Councils  once  existed,  in  others  not  enough 
Councils  were  instituted  sufficient  for  the  establishing  of  a  State 
Body.  With  the  exception  of  one,  Lousiana,  all  these  states  lie 
west  of  the  Mississippi,  in  a  territory  that  all  must  admit  is  the 
most  uninviting  for  a  patriotic  organization,  because  of  the  heter- 
ogenous character  of  the  population  and  other  environments  not 
experienced  anywhere  else  in  the  United  States.  Even  some  of  the 
other  states  have  State  Councils  only  in  name  as  a  result  of  the 
same  conditions  that  beset  the  Far  West  and  Northwest.  The  story 
of  the  National  Organizers  who  have  gone  into  this  section  of  the 
country  corroborates  the  above  statements  as  to  the  difficulties 
that  confront  a  distinctively  American  organization. 

However,  in  the  writer's  opinion,  the  "  field  is  white  unto 
harvest,"  and  it  is  our  belief  that  if  the  National  Council  had  suf- 
ficient funds  to  employ  Special  Organizers  for  each  state  and  have 
them  give  their  entire  time  in  that  jurisdiction,  organizing  Coun- 
cils, then  feeding  them  after  their  institution,  the  results  would  be 
entirely  different.  So  far  from  the  base  of  official  operations,  not 
coming  in  touch  with  the  great  organization  that  is  sweeping  over 
other  states,  has  had  more  to  do  than  anything  else  with  the  disband- 
ing of  scores  of  Councils  in  this  far  away  territory.  There  are  those 
in  the  organization,  not  so  many  now  as  previous  to  the  separation, 
who  have  nothing  but  adverse  criticism  to  hurl  at  the  National  Or- 
ganizers who  penetrated  this  field  in  the  last  decade  of  the  nine- 
teenth century  and  first  planted  the  seed-truths  of  Juniorism 
therein.  Such  criticism  is  unjust  and  unwarranted.  The  men 
who  were  sent  into  this  territory  by  the  National  Council  were 
men  of  iron  and  nerve,  or  they  could  not  have  withstood  the  dis- 
couragements that  met  them  everywhere.  It  is  true  they  instituted 
Councils  and  established  State  Councils,  but  they  were  expected  to 
cover  one-third  of  the  continent  in  the  pursuit  of  their  work,  hence 

6Si 


682  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

they  could  not  remain  anywhere  to  solidify  their  work  by  caring 
for  the  progeny.  The  careers  of  Collins,  Powell  and  Borden  in  this 
region  read  like  a  romance,  flying  here  and  there,  organizing,  in- 
stituting, and  encouraging  Councils,  living  on  the  road,  sleeping  by 
rail,  lunching  where  it  could  be  got  on  the  way,  covering  from 
15,000  to  25,000  miles  in  a  year  while  engaged  in  their  labor. 

These  brethren  did  honest  and  faithful  work ;  and  while  much 
of  it  came  to  naught,  the  fault  was  not  theirs,  but  the  system  under 
which  they  were  expected  to  work.  As  above  stated,  place  in  this 
hard  field  Special  Organizers  with  sufficient  funds  to  keep  them  in 
the  different  states  the  entire  year,  notwithstanding  the  environ- 
ments, the  story  that  will  be  told  ten  years  hence  will  be  a  different 
one  from  the  one  we  must  now  tell,  of  State  Councils  disbanded 
and  states  without  a  Council  at  all. 


ARIZONA 


On  a  "  stop-off  "  visit,  on  the  way  from  California  to  Texas, 
National  Organizer  Stephen  Collins  introduced  the  Order  in  the 
Territory  of  Arizona,  March  24,  1894,  by  the  institution  of  Phoenix 
Council,  No.  1,  which  was  followed  on  the  30th  of  same  month  by 
the  institution  of  Abraham  Lincoln  Council,  No.  2.  Business  and 
political  complications  soon  brought  about  a  decline  and  the  Order 
went  quite  rapidly  into  the  "  defunct  pile."  National  Organizer 
Powell,  in  November  of  1895,  visited  Phoenix  Council  but  found 
it  nearly  depleted,  although  nearly  100  members  had  united  with 
the  Council  in  a  year's  time.  Brother  Powell  stated  that  the  Coun- 
cil did  well  until  the  members  went  into  politics  for  city  offices, 
some  were  elected  and  others,  through  the  elected  officers,  were  ap- 
pointed, and  from  that  day  until  the  death  of  the  Council  none  had 
ever  showed  up  in  the  Council  chamber.  The  last  report  received 
by  the  National  Secretary  was  in  1895. 


IDAHO 

J.  W.  Charlton,  of  Spokane,  Washington,  according  to 
Deemer's  History,  instituted  Washington  Council,  No.  2,  at  Ward- 
ner,  Idaho,  sometime  during  the  administration  of  National  Coun- 
cilor J.  G.  A.  Eichter,  1894-1895.  In  February  of  1896,  National 
Organizer  Jos.  Powell  visited  the  State  and  instituted  Abraham 
Lincoln  Council,  No.  2,  located  at  Boise  City,  February  21,  and 
Eagle,  No.  3,  March  6,  1896,  at  Cceur  d'  Alene  City. 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  683 

Brother  Powell  found  a  very  uninviting  field  in  Idaho.  The 
anti-American  sentiment  was  so  strong  that  it  was  almost  a  rarity 
to  find  a  native  born  acknowledge  that  he  was  an  American  and  even 
among  Americans  he  found  sectional  prejudices  that,  like  oil  and 
water,  would  not  mix.  Disappointed  in  organizing  other  Councils, 
the  National  Organizer  hied  himself  to  other  territory. 

The  standing  of  the  Councils,  as  per  report  of  December  31, 
1897,  showed  a  membership  of  154;  in  1898  there  was  but  one 
Council  with  75  members  which  reported  in  1899  a  membership  of 
89.  The  report  of  1904  still  showed  the  Council  in  existence  but 
with  a  membership  reduced  to  20. 


IOWA 

It  is  a  matter  of  surprise  that  so  densely  populated  a  state  as 
Iowa,  with  its  hundreds  of  towns  and  great  agricultural  interests, 
should  be  without  a  State  Council  of  the  Jr.  0.  U.  A.  M.,  yet  such 
is  the  case.  Like  its  neighboring  state,  Illinois,  the  Order  has  had 
a  hard  road  to  travel  in  Iowa,  notwithstanding  its  inception  in  the 
state  was  under  most  auspicious  circumstances. 

Deputy  National  Councilor  F.  J.  Shaler,  of  Illinois,  introduced 
the  Order  into  Iowa  by  the  institution  of  Garfield  Council,  No.  1, 
December  16,  1890,  and  Eed,  White  and  Blue,  No.  2,  both  at  Clin- 
ton. This  was  followed  by  Tama  Council,  No.  3,  in  April,  1892. 
In  the  month  of  May  of  1892,  National  Organizer  Stephen  Collins 
reached  Clinton,  Iowa,  and  found  Garfield,  No.  1,  not  in  working 
condition.  After  a  few  days'  effort  he  realized  the  futility  of  any 
further  endeavors  toward  resuscitating  the  Council,  hence  he  ad- 
vised that  they  return  the  private  work  to  the  National  Council  and 
disband.  The  cause  of  the  disbandment  was  owing  to  the  fact  that 
the  majority  of  the  members  were  railroaders  which  made  their 
attendance  uncertain — yet  they  had  a  thriving  "  Oriental  Court " 
all  the  same — good  seed  traded  for  chaff.  Red,  White  and  Blue, 
No.  2,  never  met  after  it  was  instituted,  but  Brother  Collins 
breathed  new  life  into  the  Council  and  it  went  to  work. 

Brother  Collins  then  proceeded  to  plant  the  Order  in  other 
places  of  the  state,  and  on  May  10,  1892,  he  instituted  Sutherland 
Council,  No.  4,  which  was  followed  by  Washington,  No.  5,  May  11 ; 
Star  of  the  West,  No.  6,  May  24;'  Bluff  City,  No.  7,  May  27, 
and  Sioux  City,  No.  8,  on  June  6,  1892.  The  day  following,  June 
7,  1892,  Brother  Collins  instituted  the  State  Council  of  Iowa,  there 
being  12  Representatives  present  and  all  of  the  seven  Councils  were 


684  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

represented  at  the  institution.  Brother  N.  J.  Pervier  was  selected 
Jr.  Past  State  Councilor,  E.  L.  Price  State  Councilor  and  Wm. 
Seiss  State  Council  Secretary.  During  Brother  Collins'  stay  of 
six  weeks  in  Iowa  he  visited  many  of  its  towns  sowing  good  seed, 
and  in  doing  so  traveled  2,500  miles. 

The  State  Council  at  its  institution  elected  a  full  delegation 
of  National  Bepresentatives,  viz. :  E.  L.  Price,  B.  M.  Hummell, 
G.  W.  Turner,  C.  C.  Wales  and  F.  J.  Stockwell. 

Starting  under  bright  skies  the  Order  moved  along  nicely  for  a 
short  time,  but  the  clouds  began  to  lower,  strife  was  engendered, 
inefficient  officials  were  at  the  helm,  and  as  a  result,  when  National 
Organizer  Powell  visited  the  state  in  October,  1895,  he  found  the 
affairs  of  the  State  Council  in  bad  shape  and  the  Order  on  the 
decline.  However  he  found  in  State  Councilor  A.  E.  Line,  Jr.  Past 
State  Councilor  Edward  Canning  and  State  Council  Secretary  B. 
Bobinson,  true-blue  Juniors  who  cheerfully  cooperated  with  him  in 
straightening  out  the  complications  that  had  arisen  through  the 
abuse  of  former  officers  of  the  State  Council.  Brother  Powell 
spent  some  time  in  the  state  endeavoring  to  reorganize  Councils 
and  organize  new  ones,  with  but  partial  success;  however  he  left  the 
Order  in  a  more  hopeful  condition  after  his  two  visits  during  the 
year,  and  as  a  consequence,  the  meeting  of  the  State  Council  at 
Council  Bluffs  in  May,  1896,  was  the  most  enthusiastic  the  body  had 
seen  since  the  institution.    There  were  6  Councils  and  215  members. 

The  Order  the  following  year  did  make  slight  increase}  four 
Councils  being  added  to  the  number  and  the  membership  advancing 
to  280.  But  one  year  subsequent  the  number  of  Councils  fell  to  5 
and  the  membership  to  147,  while  in  the  report  of  the  National 
Council  Secretary  ending  December  31,  1898,  Iowa  was  a  blank. 
Since  that  time  the  State  Council  of  Iowa  has  no  existence,  and 
according  to  the  report  of  1905,  the  Order  is  extinct. 


LOUISIANA 

In  1890,  Past  National  Councilor  Orange  instituted  Orleans 
Council,  No.  1,  some  time  in  May,  and  Magnolia,  No.  2,  soon  after. 
We  quote  from  Deemer's  History  the  following  reference  to  the 
Order  in  Louisiana  by  Deputy  National  Councilor  Thos.  Ivey  in  his 
report  to  the  National  Councilor,  dated  May  15,  1895: 

"  In  reference  to  Orleans  Council  No.  1,  I  experienced  no  regret  in 
learning  that  the  Council  is,  defunct.  The  condition  of  affairs  existing  in 
it  for  some  time  previous  to  its  dissolution  was  a  stigma;  and  I  rejoiced 
when  I  knew  the  Council  was  gone." 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  685 

Beferring  to  Magnolia,  No.  2,  Brother  Ivey  said : 

"  But  there  is  a  Council  in  Louisiana,  to  which  I  wish  to  call  special 
attention  as  a  shining  example  of  devotion  to  our  principles.  Magnolia 
Council  is  located  in  the  town  of  Pollard,  away  to  the  northwest  of  New 
Orleans.  They  number  more  than  100  members  and  they  have  built  for 
themselves  a  two-story  building,  the  upper  story  of  which  is  their  Council 
room.  The  lower  story  is  a  schoolroom,  and  the  school  is  supported  by 
the  Council.  Two  teachers  are  employed  by  the  Council — one  at  $60  a 
month  and  the  other  at  $40." 

It  is  a  question  if  anywhere  in  the  entire  National  jurisdiction 
a  like  exemplification  of  our  belief  in  popular  education  can  be 
found.     At  the  close  of  1896  the  Council  reported  96  members. 

The  Council,  however,  since  1896  has  gone  out  of  existence, 
but  the  camp-fires  of  Juniorism  has  been  kept  burning  brightly 
through  McDonough  Council,  No.  1,  which  is  a  very  flourishing 
and  thriving  Council  with  a  membership  of  80,  made  up  of  a 
high  standard  of  American  citizenship.  This  heroic  Council 
stands  alone  in  that  great  state,  but  like  her  sister  state,  Miss- 
issippi, there  will  come  a  tidal  wave  of  Junior  sentiment  that 
will  sweep  over  the  state  leaving  Councils  in  every  section. 


MINNESOTA 


National  Organizer  Stephen  Collins  carried  the  principles  of 
the  Junior  Order  into  the  State  of  Minnesota,  in  1893,  and  the 
following  was  the  result  of  his  visit: 

Washington  Council,  No.  1,  August  18;  Lincoln,  No.  2,  September  4; 
Sibley,  No.  3,  in  December,  1893;  Jefferson,  No.  4,  March,  1894;  Liberty, 
No.  5,  in  June  same  year. 

This  was  followed  by  the  institution  of  the  State  Council 
of  Minnesota  in  the  month  of  May,  1895,  at  which  time  the  follow- 
ing officers  were  elected: 

Jr.  Past  State  Councilor — A.  G.  Bainbridge, 
State  Councilor — Dr.  Claud  Kremer, 
State  Vice-Councilor — S.   E.   Foreman. 
State  Council  Secretary — J.  D.  Woodruff. 

The  first  delegation  elected  to  represent  the  State  Body  in  the 
National  Council  were :  Dr.  L.  A.  Cox,  S.  E.  Foreman,  J.  S.  Kim- 
ball, Gr.  M.  McGeary  and  Dr.  Claud  Kremer,  of  which  delegation 
Dr.  Kremer  and  S.  E.  Foreman  were  in  attendance  at  the  National 
session  of  1895,  at  Omaha,  and  were  accompanied  by  Brother  A.  G. 
Bainbridge. 


686  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

The  standing  of  the  State  Council  for  the  year  ending  Decem- 
ber 31,  1895,  was  as  follows : 

Number  of  Councils 15 

Number  of  Members 560 

Minnesota,  although  with  good  men  at  the  helm,  had  great 
obstacles  to  overcome,  doubtless  greater  than  found  in  any  other 
state  in  the  Union.  The  character  of  her  population,  so  largely 
foreign,  had  a  tendency  to  keep  business  and  professional  men  from 
uniting  with  the  Order  for  fear  of  "  boycott "  by  the  un-American 
element.  However,  the  greatest  hindrance  to  the  growth  of  'the 
organization  grew  out  of  the  fact  that  the  A.  P.  A.  had  cut  a  prom- 
inent figure  in  the  state,  politically,  and  the  consensus  of  opinion 
was  quite  general  that  the  Jr.  0.  U.  A.  M.  was  another  "  political 
scheme  "  brought  into  the  state,  which  prejudiced  the  public  against 
the  Order. 

Among  those  who  served  as  State  Councilors,  the  following  are 
named:  J.  S.  Kimball,  S.  E.  Foreman,  E.  H.  Godfrey  and  G.  H. 
Drake.  As  an  evidence  of  the  "  hard  road  "  the  Order  had  to  travel 
in  the  state,  the  report  of  the  standing  of  the  State  Council  for  the 
year  ending  December  31,  1898,  shows  the  following: 

Number  of  Councils 5 

Number   of   Members 324 

Received  by  Subordinate  Councils $2,163.30 

Paid  for  Relief 722.30 

Worth  of  Councils 613.11 

The  last  report  submitted  to  the  National  Body  was  in  1901, 
showing  but  two  Councils  and  146  members.  From  that  date  the 
State  Council  of  Minnesota  ceased  to  live.  December  31,  1902, 
one  Council  reported  30  members,  which  on  December  31,  1904, 
was  "  doing  business  at  the  old  stand,"  having  at  that  time  60  mem- 
bers, with  but  one  member  entitled  to  sit  in  the  National  Council, 
Brother  A.  G.  Bainbridge,  the  pioneer  Junior  of  the  state,  so  well 
known  throughout  the  National  jurisdiction. 


MONTANA 


To  Past  State  Councilor  J.  E.  Creighton  belongs  the  credit 
of  introducing  the  Order  into  the  State  of  Montana,  May  30,  1895, 
by  the  institution  of  Washington  Council,  No.  1.  He  was  followed 
by  National  Organizer  Powell  in  December  of  same  year,  whose 
efforts  resulted  as  follows:  Tiffin  Home  Council,  No.  2,  at  Great 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  687 

Falls,  December  21,  with  29  applicants;  Helena,  No.  3,  at  Helena, 
January  2,  1896,  with  26  applicants;  Missoula,  No.  4,  January  10, 
with  21  applicants;  Abraham  Lincoln,  No.  5,  April  8,  with  26 
applicants,  and  Thomas  H.  Benton,  No.  6,  April  13,  1896,  at  Butte 
City,  with  31  charter  members. 

Delegates  elected  by  the  above  named  Councils  met  in  conven- 
tion and  formed  the  State  Council  of  Montana,  which  was  insti- 
tuted by  National  Organizer  Powell,  April  15,  1896.  The  new 
organization  was  placed  in  the  hands  of  the  following  brethren : 

Jr.  Past  State  Councilor — S.  N.  Mullin, 
State  Councilor — B.  H.  Cook, 
State  Vice-Councilor — J.  H.  Plummer, 
State  Council  Secretary — A.  R.  Jones. 

The  following  National  Representatives  were  selected:  B.  H. 
Cook.  E.  M.  Boyer,  J.  H.  Plummer,  S.  H.  Robson  and  J.  R. 
Creighton. 

The  story  of  Juniorism  in  Montana  is  but  a  repetition  of  the 
story  told  of  many  Northwestern  states  during  the  period  Brother 
Powell  was  in  the  field,  and  it  reads  like  a  romance.  From  Wis- 
consin, through  Michigan  to  Iowa,  and  then  to  Arizona,  into 
Utah,  then  Idaho,  Nevada  and  New  Mexico,  in  his  own  state  of 
Colorado,  then  Montana,  this  "  globe  trotter  "  sowed  the  seed  of 
Junior  principles  and  saw  it  develop  in  one  short  year.  In  doing 
this  heroic  work,  Brother  Powell  traveled  25,000  miles. 

Has  it  occurred  to  the  reader  what  it  means  to  travel  in  those 
great  states,  an  empire  in  themselves.  We  in  the  East  think  100 
miles  a  long  distance.  Think  of  Texas,  of  the  gigantic  size  of  that 
vast  plain.  One  has  said  that  if  you  would  take  a  map  of  the 
United  States  and  lay  it  down  and  measure  the  Lone  Star  State 
the  longest  way  by  stretching  a  cord  across  it,  then  place  one  end 
of  the  measure  on  Chicago,  you  will  find  the  other  end  extend 
into  the  Atlantic  Ocean  or  the  Gulf  of  Mexico.  Or,  take  Montana, 
for  instance,  there  is  in  that  mammoth  commonwealth  one  county 
that  contains  20,000  square  miles  inside  of  whose  boundaries  could 
1)0  put  Massachusetts,  Rhode  Island,  Delaware  and  New  Jersey, 
and  still  there  would  be  plenty  of  room.  California  has  a  county 
of  similar  dimensions.  This  was  the  territory  the  National  Or- 
ganizers had  to  traverse  in  their  efforts  to  plant  Juniorism.  All 
hail  to  the  men  who  sacrificed  home  comforts  and  business  to 
expound  the  doctrines  of  our  noble  Order. 

Deputy  National  Councilor  Creighton  makes  a  full  report  of 
the  introduction  and  progress  of  the  Order  in  Montana  for  the  year 


688  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

ending  April  20,  1896.  The  organization  in  the  state  began  under 
favorable  circumstances:  Council  No.  1,  after  a  year's  work,  had 
150  members;  Council  No.  6,  at  Butte  City,  was  made  up  of  the 
very  best  people  of  the  city,  among  them  being  bankers,  profes- 
sional men  and  men  of  public  affairs. 

Brother  Creighton  gives  a  sample  of  what  is  found  in  nearly 
every  Northwestern  state  made  up  of  a  mixed  population  with  the 
American  element  the  smallest  portion  of  the  mixture.  In  Butte 
City  they  had  at  that  time  a  population  of  40,000,  a  large  percentage 
of  which  was  anti-American  and  naturally  opposed  to  our  free 
institutions.  Among  this  heterogeneous  mass  were  1,600  Irish 
voters,  900  English,  500  Swedish,  900  Canadian,  and  1,500  voters 
"  assorted,  high,  low,  great  and  small,"  with  but  5,000  Americans, 
men,  women  and  children.  "  A  Canadian,"  says  Creighton, 
"  thinks  as  much  of  a  Junior  as  he  does  of  a  snake." 

By  1900  the  State  Council  had  disbanded,  there  still  being 
one  Council  in  existence  with  50  members.  And  with  pluck 
scarcely  found  anywhere  in  the  Union,  Washington  Council,  No.  1, 
on  December  31,  1904,  was  still  doing  business  "  at  the  old  stand." 
The  Council  reported  as  follows: 

Number   of   Members 62 

Receipts    $131.40 

Worth  of   Council 422.91 


NEBRASKA 


In  18'86,  on  October  23,  the  Order  was  planted  in  the  State 
of  Nebraska,  by  the  institution  of  Omaha  Council,  No.  1,  in  the 
City  of  Omaha,  with  35  members,  and  in  February,  1890,  Lincoln 
Council  was  instituted.  However,  when  National  Organizer  Col- 
lins reached  the  state  in  1892,  he  did  not  find  in  operation  the 
original  Councils,  hence  began  anew  to  lay  the  foundation  of  the 
Order  and  his  efforts  brought  forth  the  following  results :  Washing- 
ton Council,  No.  1,  July  21;  Lincoln,  No.  2,  July  29;  Columbia, 
No.  3 ;  Winona,  No.  4,  July  27 ;  Garfield,  No.  5,  August  1 ;  all  in 
1892.  These  were  followed  by  the  institution  of  the  State  Council 
of  Nebraska,  August  5,  1892. 

The  Order  for  some  reason  did  not  flourish  to  any  great  extent, 
after  the  first  few  years;  in  fact,  made  but  little  progress  at  any 
time,  according  to  the  standing  of  the  State  Council  December  31, 
1894,  when  there  were  but  9  Councils  and  279  members.     Drought 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  689 

and  hard  times  were  given  by  the  Deputy  National  Councilors  as 
the  reason  for  the  lack  of  growth  in  the  Order  and  the  subsequent 
decline.  The  report  of  the  National  Secretary  for  the  year  ending 
December  31,  1904,  gave  no  report  of  Nebraska  at  all,  hence  the 
Order  has  died  out  in  the  state  and  another  State  Council  is  num- 
bered with  "  once  were." 

In  the  earlier  years  of  the  Order  in  Nebraska,  the  following 
were  prominent  in  State  Council  and  the  National :  W.  A.  Howard, 
J.  C.  Thorn,  W.  F.  Knapp,  J.  A.  Silver,  all  Past  State  Councilors; 
and  Past  National  Representatives  W.  A.  Messick,  H.  L.  Day,  J.  W. 
Houder  and  R.  P.  Dolman. 


NEVADA 


National  Organizer  Jos.  Powell,  during  that  year  of  mountain- 
climbing  and  prairie-crossing,  entered  Nevada  and  set  up  the  ban- 
ner of  the  Order  by  the  institution  of  Washington  Council,  No.  1, 
November  26,  1895,  at  Virginia  City,  which  was  followed  by  the 
institution  of  Kensington  Council,  No.  2,  at  Carson  City,  Decem- 
ber 4,  1895,  and  Sequoi,  No.  3,  at  Reno,  December  5,  of  same  year. 
In  1896,  Deputy  National  Councilor  Chris  D.  Zeigler  instituted 
Abraham  Lincoln,  No.  4,  March  28,  at  Geneva,  at  which  time  the 
membership  in  the  state  was  116. 

The  reports  of  the  Deputy  National  Councilors  during  this 
period  of  the  Order  up  to  and  including  1896,  were  published  in 
the  National  Council  Proceedings  and  are  very  valuable  from  a  his- 
toric standpoint,  in  obtaining  data  that  could  in  no  other  way  be 
secured  from  those  frontier  states.  Deputy  National  Councilor 
Zeigler  was  very  thorough  in  reporting  his  jurisdiction  and  entered 
into  every  detail  relative  thereto. 

The  strong  anti-American  influences,  however,  were  too  strong 
for  the  Order  in  Nevada,  as  one  by  one  the  Councils  succumbed, 
until  1899,  the  name  of  Nevada  was  stricken  from  the  National 
Council  records. 

NEW    JERSEY 

It  is  with  regret  that  the  name  of  New  Jersey  must  come 
under  the  head,  "  States  where  State  Councils  do  not  Now  Exist." 
Third  in  the  family  of  State  Councils,  one  of  the  trio  to  help  form 
the  National  Council,  and  with  a  long  and  eminently  successful 
history,  New  Jersey  to-day  is  without  a  State  Council,  and  the  few 
44 


690  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

members  therein  remaining  loyal  are  under  the  jurisdiction  of  the 
National  Council.  The  cause  for  this  condition  of  affairs  is  -well 
known  and  need  not  be  repeated  here. 

Eeference  to  Deemer's  History,  the  story  of  the  inception  of 
the  Order  in  New  Jersey,  is  told: 

"  The  Order  was  introduced  into  the  State  of  New  Jersey  by  the 
institution  of  Lincoln  Council,  No.  1,  in  January,  1866,  followed  by 
Lafayette,  No.  2,  Hope,  No.  3,  in  September,  1867;  Malaska,  No.  4,  August 
19,  1868;  Washington,  No.  5,  September,  1868;  Enterprise,  No.  6,  October, 
1868;  Excelsior,  No.  7,  April,  1869;  Fidelity,  No.  8,  April,  1869;  Morning 
Star,  No.  9,  May,  1869;  Kesolute,  No.  10,  in  June,  Independent,  No.  11,  in 
July,  and  the  State  Council  of  New  Jersey,  July  12,  1869." 

Composed  of  strong  men,  New  Jersey  for  years  prior  to  her 
withdrawal  from  the  National  Council  had  much  to  do  in  shaping 
the  policy  of  Junior  history.  The  Order  in  the  state  made  wonder- 
ful progress  and  stood  high  in  the  estimation  of  the  public.  From 
her  ranks  came  six  National  Councilors,  viz. :  Ogden  Laning, 
William  P.  Hayes,  S.  H.  Crum,  W.  H.  Meseroll,  Geo.  W.  Elbert  and 
H.  A.  Kibbe.  In  the  business  of  the  National  Council  her  Eepre- 
sentatives  took  active  part,  and  in  the  promulgation  of  the  Objects 
and  Principles  of  the  Order,  New  Jersey  was  not  behind  any  of  her 
sister  states. 

New  Jersey's  part  in  the  revolt  of  1899  is  the  only  ignoble  feat- 
ure of  her  long  and  brilliant  history,  and  for  that  act  of  defiance  to 
the  mandates  of  the  National  Body  there  is  no  excuse,  and  it  is  the 
writer's  opinion  that  there  are  thousands  of  the  rank  and  file  in 
New  Jersey's  former  membership  who  feel  that  her  representatives 
made  a  great  mistake  in  the  action  taken.  It  is  the  hope  of  all 
loyal  Juniors  that  New  Jersey  will  again  come  under  the  banner 
of  the  National  Council  by  returning  to  the  camp-fires  of  the  Order. 

The  following  was  the  standing  of  the  State  Council  of  New 
Jersey  December  31,  1898 : 

Number    of    Councils 263 

Number   of   Members 29,307 

Received  by  Subordinate  Councils $327,717.52 

Paid  for  Relief 91,790.00 

Worth  of  Councils 345,172.30 

However,  two  Councils  remained  loyal  to  the  National  Council, 
viz.:  Enterprise,  No.  6,  and  Hollywood,  No.  29,  which  reported  to 
the  National  Council  December  31,  1902,  414  members,  with  worth 
of  Councils  of  $7,108.71. 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  691 

On  March  1,  1904,  National  Councilor  Dr.  J.  L.  Cooper  ap- 
pointed Brother  0.  L.  Forrester,  of  New  York,  Special  Deputy  for 
New  Jersey.  Intelligent,  courageous  and  discreet,  Brother  Forres- 
ter proved  the  right  man  for  the  delicate  work  of  "  hearding  the  lion 
in  the  den,"  and  entering  a  field  so  surcharged  with  prejudice 
toward  the  National  Council.  The  Special  Deputy  got  in  touch 
with  the  rank  and  file  and  gave  them  an  unbiased  account  of  the 
whole  controversy,  and  the  causes  that  led  to  the  revolt  in  the 
Order  as  well  as  the  present  status  of  the  situation.  His  efforts 
were  crowned  with  success,  and  in  a  short  time  he  had  enough  Coun- 
cils restored  to  the  Order  to  organize  a  State  Council,  but  the 
opposition  of  the  insurgent  element  defeated  the  ultimate  purpose 
of  the  National  Council.  The  two  Councils  are  still  true  to  the 
Supreme  Body. 

NEW   MEXICO 

Brother  C.  L.  Voris,  of  Colorado,  was  appointed  Deputy  Na- 
tional Councilor  over  the  Territory  of  New  Mexico,  in  the  fall  of 

1895,  and  organized  the  following  Councils:  Davy  Crockett,  Council 
No.  1,  October  23,  1895,  at  San  Martial;  Bowie,  No.  2,  in  February, 

1896,  and  Alamo,  No.  6,  April  6,  1896.  The  report  of  the  three 
Councils  May  15,  1896,  showed  105  members.  However,  December 
31,  1899,  there  was  but  one  Council  in  operation  with  43  members 
and  worth  $249.50.  Previous  to  December  31,  1904,  the  Council 
dissolved  and  the  Order  is  extinct  in  New  Mexico. 


SOUTH  DAKOTA 


National  Organizer  F.  C.  Borden  instituted  Deadwood  Coun- 
cil, No.  1,  at  Deadwood,  South  Dakota,  August  27,  1896,  with  30 
applicants,  and  on  March  31,  1897,  the  Council  had  57  members. 
The  Council,  however,  did  not  thrive  after  the  first  year,  and  before 
the  close  of  the  century  it  had  disbanded. 


UTAH 

National  Organizer  Powell  penetrated  the  State  of  Utah  and 
instituted  Washington  Council,  No.  1,  at  Ogden,  February  14, 
1896.  No  other  Council  being  organized  in  the  state,  like  a  tender 
flower  in  the  desert,  it  pined  away  and  died. 


692  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

WYOMING 

The  inception  of  the  Order  in  Wyoming  occurred  on  the  16th 
of  February,  1895,  when  Washington  Council,  No.  1,  was  instituted. 
This  was  followed  by  Winona,  No.  2,  in  June;  Custer,  No.  3,  in 
September;  Minerva,  No.  4,  in  November,  1895,  and  Abraham 
Lincoln,  No.  5,  in  February,  1896.  The  latter  Council  was  insti- 
tuted by  National  Organizer  Powell. 

The  institution  of  Washington  Council  at  Cheyenne  aroused 
much  American  sentiment  and  the  outlook  was  exceedingly  bright. 
Brother  D.  A.  Hastings  was  appointed  Deputy  National  Councilor, 
who  entered  the  field  and  pushed  the  work  with  vigor.  However, 
the  same  "  rock "  that  wrecked  the  Order  in  other  jurisdictions 
in  the  Northwest,  the  A.  P.  A/s,  proved  an  obstacle  to  the  advance 
of  the  Junior  Order  in  Wyoming,  and  after  a  few  "  fitful  years  " 
of  struggle,  the  Order  succumbed  to  the  inevitable,  and  expired. 


V.    WHO  IS  WHO  IN  THE  ORDER 

CHAPTER  XXXVIII 

THE  title  of  this  section  is  not  new  or  original.  It  originated 
in  England  some  years  ago  in  a  publication  entitled  "  WHO 
IS  WHO,"  which  gave  brief  sketches  of  prominent  men  not  only  of 
Great  Britain,  but  of  other  countries  as  well.  America  followed 
with  the  suggestive  title,  and  we  have  several  publications  in  book- 
form  :  "  Who  is  Who  in  New  York,"  "  Who  is  Who  in  Penna.," 
etc.  "  WHO  IS  WHO  IN  THE  OEDER  "  relates  especially  to 
those  who  in  a  greater  or  less  degree  assisted  in  shaping  the  policy 
of  the  Jr.  0.  U.  A.  M.  in  the  National  Council  and  in  the  different 
states  of  the  Union,  where  the  Order  has  official  existence.  There 
are  those  of  this  patriotic  organization  whose  careers  have  had  such 
definite  interest,  when  considered  as  factors  in  the  history  of  the 
Order,  and  whose  lives  are  either  National  or  state-wide,  who 
deserve  a  place  within  the  scope  of  this  section. 

The  Brothers  who  have  labored  for  the  up-building  of  the 
Jr.  0.  U.  A.  M.  should  live  in  memory  when  they  shall  have  passed 
into  "  The  Great  Beyond."  Not  all  by  any  means,  who,  in  the 
National  Body  or  the  various  State  Councils,  have  given  faithful 
service  to  the  organization,  can  be  named  or  find  a  place  in  this 
"  temple  of  fame  " ;  but  it  has  been  the  aim  of  the  author  to  place 
the  names  of  a  few  of  the  representative  men  of  each  state,  espe- 
cially those  who  have  in  some  way  or  other  left  their  impress  upon 
the  Fraternity. 

It  is  a  lamentable  fact,  all  too  true  of  America,  that  in  this 
fast  and  busy  age,  we  soon  forget  our  heroes.  Men  who  have 
wielded  the  sword  in  the  defense  of  our  common  country  and  its 
flag,  and  who  gloriously  fell  on  the  battlefield,  are  shamefully 
forgotten,  either  by  pen  or  monumental  shaft.  Such  should  not 
be  the  case.  It  is  also  a  regretable  statement  to  make  that  even 
in  our  Order,  men  who  have  had  much  to  do  in  shaping  the  policy 
of  the  organization  and  making  its  history,  that  prejudice  or 
selfish  motives  have  relegated  them  to  the  background;  and  that 
there  are  too  many  who  one  day  will  cry  "  Hosanna  "  and  the 
next  shout  with  the  rabble  "Crucify  him." 

693 


694  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

Others  claim  that  the  world  should  be  very  sparing  of  its 
praise  or  commendation  for  a  man  in  the  race  of  life,  but  should 
wait  until  he  is  under  the  sod  or  at  least  until  he  lies  in  his  casket 
before  saying  any  good  things  of  their  brother-man.     The  writer 
has  no  use  for  such  postmortem  love — praise  for  a  man  when  he 
is  dead,  speaking  kind  words  when  the  man's  ears  are  deaf  to  them 
and  the  heart  is  cold  and  still.     Personally,  we  do  not  want  any- 
body coming  around  our  casket  breaking  alabaster  boxes  of  spike- 
nard and  myrrh,  since  it  would  do  us  no  good;  but  rather  if  they 
have  anything  good  to  say,  to  say  it  when  it  will  touch  our  ears 
and  bring  to  us  a  realizing  sense  that  we  may  have  done  something 
to  make  the  world  better  and  man  happier,  so  we  shall  all  the 
more  be  quickened  to  greater  deeds  of  love  and  duty  in  the  great 
battlefield  of  life.    Any  dog  when  he  has  been  driven  hard  in  the 
chase,  will  run  with  fleeter  feet  when  the  master  strokes  his  head 
and  says  "  fine  fellow  " ;  any  horse,  when  dragging  the  heavy  load 
against  the  hillside,  will  pull  until  the  traces  snap  if  the  driver 
will  pat  his  neck  and  stroke  his  mane  and  speak  endearing  words. 
So  any  human  being  with  finer  sensibilities,  amid  the  cares  and 
struggles  of  his  life-work,  who  sometimes   feels  that  he  is  not 
appreciated,  will  be  inspired  to  nobler  deeds  and  purposes  if  his 
fellow-men  will  speak  a  kindly  word  of  appreciation.     We  have 
aimed  to  follow  this  principle  in  writing  the  sketches  that  follow. 
When  we  conceived  the  idea  of  thus  concentrating  into  one 
section  of  this  work  the  portraits  and  brief  sketches  of  those  who 
have  filled  the  highest  office  in  the  province  of  the  National  and 
State  Councils,  we  sent  a  request  to  every  Past  National  Councilor, 
and  to  two  or  more  Past  State  Councilors  of  each  state,  consid- 
ering the  number  of  state  officers  on  the  list,  and  to  a  few  Past 
National  Eepresentatives  whose  prominence  in  the  Order  has  been 
marked,  asking  for  a  cut  or  photograph  and  data  for  a  sketch  to 
be  inserted.     We  must,  however,  express  our  disappointment  over 
the  result.     Some  with  feelings  of  diffidence  or  native  modesty, 
were  unwilling  that  they  should  be  made  so  prominent,  feeling 
that  their  work  did  not  merit  a  place  in  this  section.     Others  did 
not  care  to  have  their  portraits  inserted,  but  furnished  few  facts 
for  a  sketch.    While  others,  we  are  sorry  to  say,  must  have  thrown 
our  request  into  the  wastebasket,   or  otherwise  treated  our  com- 
munication, as  we  never  even  had  the  courtesy  of  a  reply.    Hence 
if  the  reader  finds  a  missing  face  or  the  absence  of  a  sketch  of 
those  who  have  served  in  some  of  the  highest  positions  of  the 
Order,  he  should  know  that  the  "  missing  link "  in  this  section 


CHAS.   P.    HAUPT 
Past  National  Councilor  and  Only  Living  Charter  Member  of  the  Order  (1908) 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  695 

is  not  our  fault.  However,  we  are  pleased  to  refer  the  reader  to 
some  of  our  representative  brothers  who  have  been  more  or  less 
associated  with  the  work  and  progress  of  the  Order.  If  there  are 
those  who  have  been  unintentionally  missed  from  this  section, 
future  editions  can  remedy  the  defect,  and  give  some  brother  or 
brothers  the  credit  that  is  due  him,  or  them. 


CHAS.  P.  HAUPT 

Past   National    Councilor  and   the  only   Living  Charter   Member 

of  the  Order   (1907). 

Brother  Chas.  P.  Haupt,  at  present  (1907)  the  sole  connecting  link 
with  the  birth  of  the  Order,  May  17,  1853,  was  born  near  the  sacred 
landmark  of  the  organization — Concord  Schoolhouse — Germantown,  July 
21,  1834  his  ancestry  being  residents  of  that  section  from  the  days  of 
the  Revolution.  After  securing  a  public  school  education  and  a  course 
in  the  Rittenhouse  Grammar  School  he  went  into  business  in  1849  and 
continued  until  the  breaking  out  of  the  Civil  War,  when  he  enlisted  in 
the  150th  Regiment,  Pa.  Volunteer  Infantry,  Third  Bucktails,  and  was 
appointed  Commissary  Sergeant  of  his  company.  After  some  months  of 
camp  life  at  Camp  Curtin,  Harrisburg,  Pa.,  the  regiment  was  mobilized  at 
Washington,  D.  C.,at  which  place  Brother  Haupt  was  stricken  with  small- 
pox. While  in  the  hospital,  though  convalescent,  his  regiment  had  orders 
to  march  south  to  the  seat  of  war.  At  this  point  we  will  let  Brother 
Haupt  tell  his  story: 

"  I  was  determined  to  go  with  my  regiment,  and  so  expressed  myself 
to  the  surgeon,  Dr.  Thomas.  He  told  me  that  I  would  not  be  fit  to  leave 
the  hospital  for  sometime;  for,  if  I  should  catch  cold,  I  would  likely 
pay  for  my  imprudence  with  my  life.  Well,  I  secured  my  discharge  from 
the  hospital,  and  when  I  got  to  camp,  it  was  all  hurry  and  bustle.  Every- 
body was  getting  ready  to  move.  I  was  given  a  warm  welcome  by  my 
captain  and  comrades,  and,  in  a  short  while,  everything  was  in  order 
for  a  forward  movement.  The  following  morning  loomed  up  wet  and  cold, 
but  there  was  no  backing  out  for  me.  I  got  in  an  army  wagon,  and  we 
started  Southward,  and  were  very  soon  on  Virginia  soil.  I  remained  on 
duty  some  five  months,  when  my  health  broke  down  completely,  and  they 
sent  me  home  for  repairs.  As  soon  as  I  was  physically  able  to  do  some 
work,  I  was  put  in  the  V.  R.  C.  and  sent  to  Pittsburg  for  special  duty; 
afterwards  to  Trenton,  and  at  the  expiration  of  my  term  of  service, 
was  discharged  from  the  army." 

When  Brother  Haupt  was  sufficiently  recovered  in  health,  he  was 
appointed  a  clerk  in  the  Registry  Department,  Philadelphia,  and  subse- 
quently was  placed  in  the  postoffice  of  same  city  where  for  20  years 
he  served  as  Cashier  in  the  Money  Order  Department.  So  faithful  was 
he  in  the  performance  of  his  duties  that  he  was  made  financial  secretary 
to  the  assistant  superintendent,  which  position  he  still  holds. 


696  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

The  story  of  Brother  Haupt's  connection  with  the  Junior  Order  is 
told  in  Chapter  II,  and  cannot  be  restated  here.  Suffice  it  to  say,  however, 
that  his  name  with  about  a  dozen  others  is  still  to  be  seen  on  the  first 
charter  of  the  first  Council,  viz.,  Washington  Council,  No.  1,  and  was 
elected  its  treasurer  which  office  he  held  until  July,  1855,  six  months  after 
his  connection  with  the  Senior  Order.  Brother  Haupt  returned  to  the 
Order  and  was  readmitted  to  Washington  Council,  No.  1,  with  appropriate 
ceremonies  April  26,  1895,  as  noted  elsewhere.  Past  National  Councilor 
J.  W.  Calver  was  given  the  honor  to  readmit  our  esteemed  brother  and 
since  that  time  he  has  continued  a  member  of  the  Mother  Council.  In 
view  of  the  distinction  of  being  the  only  surviving  charter  member  of  the 
Order,  the  National  Council  at  Louisville,  Ken.,  in  1898,  conferred  on  him 
the  honors  of  Past  National  Councilor. 

Although  past  his  three  score  years  and  ten,  Brother  Haupt  retains 
much  of  his  youthful  spirit  and  is  quite  well  preserved  in  his  body.  He 
is  a  genial,  courteous  gentleman  and  those  who  know  him  best  love  him 
most. 

JOHN  W.  CALVER 
First  National  Councilor  of  the  Junior  Order 
United  American  Mechanics. 

Ascending  by  a  rugged  and  circuitous  path  up  the  slopes  of  a 
mountain  some  years  ago,  the  writer  reached  the  top  and  there  spread 
out  before  him  was  a  plateau  covered  with  fallen  timber  with  the  exception 
of  four  pine  trees  that  lifted  their  stately  heads  above  the  scene  of 
desolation.  Standing  as  we  do  as  an  Order  in  this  the  twentieth  century 
and  glancing  backward  over  the  dead  decades  of  the  century  that  has 
left  us,  it  is  a  source  of  gratification  that  four  stately  pillars  of  our 
Order  still  live  with  us  (1907)  whose  life-spans  have  bridged  or  nearly 
so  the  life-span  of  the  Order  itself — Haupt,  Deemer,  Calver  and  Goff.  One 
of  this  honored  and  esteemed  quartette  is  the  subject  of  this  sketch — Senior 
Past  National  Councilor  John  W.  Calver,  of  Pennsylvania,  the  first  National 
Councilor  of  the  Jr.  O.  U.  A.  M.  Brother  Calver  has  been  so  much  a 
part  of  the  Order  that  to  tell  the  story  of  his  life  is  to  tell,  in  a  measure, 
the  story  of  the  Junior  organization. 

Born  in  the  City  of  Philadelphia,  August  15,  1843,  Brother  Calver 
has  lived  there  all  his  life  with  the  exception  of  a  few  years  that  he 
resided  with  his  uncle  at  what  was  then  known  as  Germantown,  now  a 
part  of  Philadelphia.  When  15  years  of  age,  he  was  apprenticed  to  his 
uncle  to  learn  the  Last  Manufacturing  business  where  he  remained  until 
he  was  21  years  of  age  when  he  returned  to  the  city  to  assist  his  father 
who  was  a  manufacturer  and  dealer  in  millinery  goods,  which  business, 
on  the  retirement  of  his  father  in  1865,  was  continued  by  Brother  Calver 
in  partnership  with  his  two  sisters  under  the  firm  name  of  John  W. 
Calver  &  Co.,  until  1873  when  the  sisters  retired  and  the  business  was 
changed  to  Manufacturer  of  Hat  and  Bonnet  Frames,  in  which  business 
Brother  Calver  has  been  quite  successful,  having  built  up  a  large  trade. 
For  some  years  as  a  side  line,  he  engaged  in  the  selling  of  secret  society 
goods,  but  closed  out  that  feature  of  the  business  in  1899.  In  all  his 
business  relations  he  has  been  an  honest  and  strictly  concientious  merchant 
and  stands  high  in  the  opinion  and  respect  of  his  business  associates. 


JOHN  W.  CALVER 
First  National  Councilor  of  the  Junior  Order  United  American  Mechanics 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  697 

Brother  Calvor  is  quite  a  fraternity  man  who  is  able  to  see  in  every 
secret  order  something  that  is  noble  and  commendable.  He  is  a  member 
of  the  O.  U.  A.  M.,  or  "  Senior  "  Order,  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows, 
improved  Order  of  Red  Men,  the  Royal  Arcanum,  the  Order  of  Sparta, 
and  the  Artisans  Order  of  Mutual  Protection.  Of  the  latter  organization 
he  is  a  permanent  member  of  the  Most  Excellent  Assembly  (the  National 
Head),  and  has  been  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Directors  and  its  Secretary 
for  25  years. 

But  in  neither  of  these  or  all  combined  did  Brother  Calver  take  so 
deep  an  interest  as  in  the  Jr.  O.  U.  A.  M.,  the  Order  he  espoused  with  all 
the  pent-up  enthusiasm  of  his  boyhood  years,  the  principles  of  which, 
like  threads  of  gold  have  been  woven  into  the  very  web  and  woof  of  his 
life.  He  was  initiated  as  soon  as  he  was  old  enough  into  Washington 
Council,  No.  1,  which  was  in  September  of  1859,  and  as  a  member  and 
officer  was  present  at  and  took  a  conspicuous  part  in  the  institution  of 
the  first  Councils  chartered  by  Washington  Council,  Nos.  2  to  8.  His 
letter  given  in  Chapter  II  recites  the  hardships  and  difficulties  encountered 
while  in  the  performance  of  those  sacred  duties  in  which  the  foundation 
stones  of  this  noble  Order  were  laid  deep  and  strong.  When  the  State 
Council  of  Pennsylvania  was  instituted  in  1860,  Brother  Calver  was  not 
sufficiently  advanced  to  have  a  part  therein,  but  he  was  a  delegate  with 
other  young  bloods  to  the  "  curb  stone  convention  "  that  was  held  outside 
the  hall  where  the  representatives  were  forming  the  first  State  Council 
and  asked  members  of  the  State  Body  what  was  going  on  inside. 
As  soon  as  Brother  Calver  had  become  eligible  he  was  elected  Representative 
to  the  State  Council  and  was  admitted  thereto  January  15,  1861,  from 
which  time  he  has  been  an  active  member  for  about  48  years,  with  scarcely 
any  diminished  interest  at  the  present  time  ( 1907 ) .  On  April  19,  1864, 
he  was  elected  State  Councilor  and  on  January  16,  1866,  he  was  elected 
State  Council  Treasurer  to  which  position  he  has  at  each  successive  annual 
meeting  of  the  State  Body  been  reelected,  and  in  nearly  every  instance, 
unanimously.  During  these  41  years  as  custodian  of  the  Order's  funds, 
hundreds  of  thousands  of  dollars  have  passed  through  his  hands  without 
even  the  thought  of  suspicion  on  the  part  of  his  brethren  of  any  irregu- 
lar ity,  or  misappropriation  of  a  single  penny. 

Brother  Calver  was  an  ardent  advocate  for  the  establishment  of 
a  National  Body  of  the  Order  and  when  the  question  was  agitated  he 
was  a  member  of  the  committee  from  Pennsylvania  to  take  into  considera- 
tion the  feasibility  of  creating  a  higher  body,  and  was  a  member  of  the 
delegation  that  met  in  convention  in  the  afternoon  of  September  30,  1869, 
that  created  the  National  Council  of  which  body  he  was  elected  National 
Councilor,  and  succeeded  himself  to  the  same  office  at  the  close  of  his  first 
term,  an  honor  that  has  come  to  no  other  member  of  the  Order.  He,  with 
Brother  Edward  S.  Deemer  and  John  D.  Goff  are  the  surviving  charter 
members  of  the  Supreme  Body  of  the  Order  that  are  members  of  the 
organization.  Brother  Calver  has  attended  every  session  of  the  National 
Council,  and  to  him  has  come  the  signal  honor  of  installing  the  National 
officers  into  their  several  stations  and  places. 

In  the  van  of  every  movement  that  had  in  view  the  upbuilding  and 
advancement  of  the  Order,  Past  National  Councilor  Calver  has  been  con- 
spicuous.    When    the    original    resolution    was    adopted    in    1891    looking 


698  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

towards  the  establishment  of  an  Orphans'  Home,  Brother  Calver  was 
appointed  a  member  of  the  first  committee  to  take  the  matter  into  con- 
sideration. From  its  inception  he  was  an  enthusiastic  advocate  of  such 
an  institution  and  when  the  Home  was  established  by  action  of  the  National 
Council,  Brother  Calver  was  one  of  the  committee  to  locate  it  where  it 
now  stands,  the  wisdom  of  which  choice  none  can  question,  and  was  closely 
associated  with  its  budding  and  opening  life,  and  with  the  building  of 
its  first  cottages  upon  the  first  one  of  which  a  flag  was  unfurled,  being  the 
gift  of  our  brother.  As  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Trustees  he  devoted 
much  of  his  time  to  the  management  of  the  Home,  being  for  some  years 
the  President,  and  refused  to  continue  longer  thereon  owing  to  his  in- 
creasing business  interests. 

As  a  man,  Brother  Calver  represents  all  that  is  noble  and  true;  as 
a  citizen,  he  stands  four-square  on  all  questions  of  civic  and  moral  right- 
eousness; as  a  Christian,  he  exhibits  the  Bible-type,  and  as  a  Junior  he 
measures  up  to  the  highest  standard — a  true-blue  patriot,  a  devoted  ad- 
herent and  a  firm  believer  in  the  doctrines  of  the  Order. 


EDWARD  S.  DEEMER  * 
National  Secretary,  186-1907. 

"Such  a   man 
Might    be    a    copy    to    these    younger    times." 

— Shakespeare. 

Born  October  12,  1840,  in  the  City  of  Philadelphia,  Pa.  Was  the 
National  Secretary  of  the  Order  from  the  birth  of  the  National  Council 
to  1907,  has  at  the  same  time  been  the  State  Council  Secretary  of  Penn- 
sylvania from  its  beginning,  and  with  the  exception  of  three  years  he 
was  passing  the  chairs  in  his  own  State  Council,  remained  the  Secretary 
of  the  body  until  1907,  when  of  his  own  volition,  he  declined  to  longer  serve; 
lias  lived  the  life  of  a  noble  man  from  boyhood's  hour;  loved,  honored  and 
respected  by  all  who  know  him,  and  who  is  to-day  not  only  the  Nestor 
of  the  Junior  Order  United  American  Mechanics,  but  is  also  its  idol — 
this  is  Edward  Samuel  Deemer,  surely  "  such  a  man  might  be  a  copy  to 
these  younger  times." 

We  do  not  propose  to  write  an  eulogy  of  this  man,  neither  do  we 
intend  to  write  an  article  long  drawn  out,  for  does  not  the  Order  know 
its  own?  The  mighty  character  of  Deemer  has  been  stamped  on  the  Order 
throughout  all  these  years  that  he  has  labored.  The  power  of  his  name 
is  felt  in  the  Council  chamber  of  every  Subordinate  Council  in  the*  land; 
the  youngest  recruit  in  the  ranks  has  but  to  quote  his  name  to  obtain  a 
respectful  hearing,  and  that,  too,  in  the  face  of  the  fact  that  hundreds  of 
our  Order's  rank  and  file  have  never   looked  upon  his  kindly   face. 

One  might  suppose  he  exercised  some  secret  influence;  that  he  pos- 
sessed the  power  to  make  and  to  destroy.  The  secret  of  his  influence  lies 
in  his  stainless  name,  and  never  questioned  integrity,  and  the  power  that 
he  undoubtedly  possesses  is  never  used,  save  to  create  for  the  welfare 
of  the  Order  to  which  he  has  given  the  flower  of  his  youth,  and  the  strength 


*  Written   by  Z.  P.   Smith  as  published   in   The  American. 


EDWARD  S.  DEEMER 
National  Secretary    1869-1907 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  699 

of  a  noble  manhood.  Yes,  this  chieftain  to  whom  we  all  pay  willing  honor, 
is  in  his  life  and  works  as  gentle  as  a  woman,  and  as  a  friend  and  brother 
always. tender  and  patient.  One  glance  from  the  tired  eyes,  one  word  of 
welcome  from  the  lips  that  speak  only  words  of  truth  and  the  man,  the 
DEEMER,  the  Rock  of  the  Order,  is  revealed. 

In  the  past  glorious  history  of  the  Order  his  name  stands  out  promi- 
nent in  all  that  has  been  said  and  done;  in  the  dark  days  that  came  upon 
ns  in  recent  years  it  was  to  Deemer  that  the  Order  looked  for  help  and 
guidance,  and  with  all  his  soul  and  strength  he  labored  to  regain  the 
ground  lost.  No  one  ever  heard  fall  from  his  lips  anything  save  words  of 
encouragement;  when  others  faltered,  he  never  did;  when  others  seemed 
to  lose  control,  Deemer  was  to  be  found  at  his  post,  calm,  cool  and  unyield- 
ing. Little  wonder  that  he  holds  first  place  in  the  hearts  of  the  manhood 
that  compose  the  Order;  little  wonder  that,  as  the  exiled  Jew  when  lie 
piays.  turns  his  face  toward  Jerusalem,  so  in  our  doubts  and  perplexities 
we  turn  our  faces  toward  the  face  of  this  gentle  yet  militant  spirit,  that 
has  bound  us  to  him  because  we  love   him. 

Would  you  know  of  his  early  history?  'Tis  but  a  plain  record. 
He  was  the  oldest  child  of  his  parents,  John  and  Sarah  Ann  Deemer,  and 
he  was  one  of  a  family  of  seven — and  his  first  schooling  was  obtained  in 
a  "  pay  school,"'  afterwards,  when  he  was  a  lad  of  fourteen  he  was  entered 
at  the  city's  High  School.  Here  he  remained  for  three  years  and  then 
commenced  to  help  his  father  as  salesman  and  book-keeper.  John  Deemer, 
his  father,  was  a  pioneer  in  the  manufacture  of  high-grade  Morocco  leather, 
and  succeeded  in  building  up  a  large  and  lucrative  trade.  Brother  Deemer 
remained  in  the  employ  of  his  father  for  over  twenty  years,  when  a 
position  was  offered  him  by  a  large  wholesale  shoe  house,  which  he  accepted, 
and  afterwards  worked  for  a  shoe  finding  house  until  1887,  when  he 
resigned  his  position  to  take  up  the  duties  of  National  Secretary  of  the 
Junior  Order  United  American  Mechanics,  and  has  ever  since  given  his 
whole  time  to  the  work  of  the  Order. 

Brother  Deemer  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Kate  Mecauley,  the 
daughter  of  a  prominent  member  of  the  "  old  Order  " — the  0.  U.  A.  M. 
Two  children  were  born  to  Brother  Deemer  and  his  wife,  a  son  and 
daughter;  the  daughter  died  when  an  infant,  and  the  son  at  the  age  of 
twenty-two.  This  occurred  years  ago;  the  death  of  this  lad,  the  pride 
of  a  father,  and  the  joy  of  a  devoted  mother,  and  through  the  years  that 
have  past  think  you  not  this  father  and  mother  have  not  known  the 
loneliness  of  it  all  ?  Think  you  not  they  have  not  longed  for  "  the  touch 
of  a  vanished  hand  and  the  sound  of  a  voice  that  is  stilled." 

This  lad,  who  was  called  on  to  yield  up  his  young  life,  had  connected 
himself  with  the  Junior  Order  United  American  Mechanics  at  the  early 
age  of  sixteen,  and  had  the  distinction  of  being  the  first  son  of  a  member 
to  become  of  eligible  age  for  membership  in  the  Order. 

Would  you  know  of  Brother  Deemer's  early  association  with  the 
Order?  'Tis  a  brilliant  record,  and  yet  we  pass  over  much  of  it.  He 
was  initiated  on  Washington's  birthday,  in  Eagle  Council,  No.  3,  in  the 
winter  of  1860.  He  held  various  offices,  and  when  the  State  Council  of 
Pennsylvania  was  formed,  the  delegates,  meeting  as  they  did  in  the  old 
town  hall  at  Germantown,  Brother  Deemer,  although  less  than  six  months 
a  member  of  the  Order,  was  chosen  State  Council  Secretary,  and  held  the 
position  with  the  exception  of  the  three  years  as  above  noted  until   1907. 


700  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

That  his  work  as  State  Councilor  of  Pennsylvania  was  a  wonderful 
success  the  following  paragraph  from  his  report  to  the  State  Body  of 
1867   would   indicate: 

"  One  year  ago  our  entire  Order  numbered  twenty-five  Councils  in 
Pennsylvania,  three  in  New  Jersey,  and  five  in  Delaware.  At  the  session 
at  which  I  was  installed,  Delaware  was  taken  from  my  charge  by  the 
institution  of  the  State  Council  of  Delaware,  and  of  the  twenty-five 
Councils  in  Pennsylvania,  nine  were  defunct,  leaving  under  the  jurisdiction 
of  the  State  of  Pennsylvania  nineteen  Councils.  To-day  I  have  the  proud 
satisfaction  of  reporting  to  you  fifty-five  Councils  in  Pennsylvania,  seven  in 
New  Jersey  and  one  in  Ohio."' 

When  the  National  Council  was  organized  in  the  year  1869  (Septem- 
ber 30  was  the  exact  date),  in  the  old  City  of  "Brotherly  Love,"  Brother 
Deemer  was  chosen  as  its  first  and  up  to  June,  1907,  the  only  National 
Secretary.  It  was  at  this  session  that  Brother  John  W.  Calver  was  chosen 
the  first  National  Councilor.  In  1879  the  National  Council  gave  to  Brother 
Deemer  the  well-earned  honors  of  Past  National  Councilor. 

He  is  a  member  of  other  fraternal  organizations,  being,  we  believe, 
a  Mason,  a  Knight  Templar,  and  possibly  others,  but  it  will  be  as  a 
member  of  the  Junior  Order  United  American  Mechanics  that  he  will  be 
remembered.  He  has  been  a  prolific  writer  in  the  Order's  interest,  and 
indeed  it  is  to  him  that  we  really  owe  the  beautiful  Ritual  that  we  use 
to-day.  For  many  years  he  has  been  a  loyal  and  devoted  member  of  the 
Universalist  Church,  and  prominent  in  all  its  good  works. 

Such  is  the  story  told  in  brief,  and  yet  so  much  remains  untold. 
Some  day  some  one  who  has  the  power  and  ability  will  write  this  good  man's 
autobiography,  and  when  the  book  is  written  it  will  find  a  place  in  the 
home  of  every  Junior,  just  as  the  memory  of  the  man  will  always  remain 
as  a  sweet  incense  in  the  hearts  of  his  brethren. 

Edward  Samuel  Deemer — "  such  a  man  might  be  a  copy  to  these 
younger  times." 

Maintaining  a  longer  official  connection  with  the  Order  than  that 
of  any  one  of  any  organization  of  which  we  have  knowledge,  Brother  Deemer 
holds  an  unique  position  in  the  history  of  fraternal  societies.  The  above 
sketch  was  written  in  1904,  and  that  which  remains  to  be  told,  already 
referred  to,  is  his  voluntary  retirement  from  his  official  connection  with 
the  Order,  both  as  National  Secretary  and  State  Council  Secretary  of 
Pennsylvania,  in  June  and  September  of  1907.  The  "passing"  of  Deemer 
from  official  life  brought  its  regrets,  yet  with  the  sadness  there  came  the 
recognition  of  the  fact  that  he  had  given  a  long  service  to  the  fraternity 
and  had  well  earned  the  period  of  quiet  and  rest  for  the  "  sunsetting  " 
years  of  his  life.  The  beginning  and  the  closing,  officially,  of  Edw.  S. 
Deemer — what  a  contrast.  Beginning  with  eight  Councils  and  less  than 
300  members,  he  stepped  down  into  the  ranks  with  tioo  thousand  Councils 
and  200,000  members. 

HENRY   C.   SCHAERTZER 
Past  State  Councilor,  and  National  Councilor,  1907-1909. 

Twenty  years  after  the  discovery  of  gold  in  the  "  Sunset  State " 
(on  May  3,  1869)   it  was  said  in  a  San  Francisco  home  that  a  man-child 


H.  C.  SCHAERTZER 
National  Councilor,  1907-1909 


H.  L.  W.  TAYLOR  W.  L.  S.  GILCREAST 

National  Vice-Councilor,  1907-1909  Junior  Past  National  Councilor,  1907-1909 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  701 

had  been  born  and  subsequently  he  was  named  Henry.  To  write  the 
life-sketch  of  Henry  C.  Schaertzer  requires  the  "  pen  of  a  ready  writer  " — 
ours  being  inadequate.  Suffice  it  to  say  that  his  early  life  was  not  unlike 
the  average  American  boy,  and  when  14  years  of  age  he  entered  upon  his 
life  career — at  the  bottom  of  the  ladder  it  is  true — as  an  all-around  boy 
in  the  office  of  an  attorney.  Here  the  perceptive  mind  of  our  brother  came 
in  contact  with  Blackstone  and  when  he  was  twenty-one  years  of  age  he 
was  ready  for  college,  and  entering  Hastings  College  of  Law,  a  branch  of 
the  University  of  California,  he  graduated  therefrom  with  high  honors 
and  was  admitted  to  the  practice  of  law  in  the  courts  of  California  and 
at  once  "hung  out  his  shingle"  announcing  that  the  young  barrister 
was  ready  to  receive  clients. 

In  following  his  chosen  profession,  his  success  was  varied,  but  per- 
sistently applying  himself  to  his  work  he  rapidly  rose  to  a  prominent  place 
at  the  bar,  and  to-day  has  a  large  practice  representing  some  of  the  largest 
and  most  influential  corporations  in  the  country  and  his  clients  are  from 
Maine  to  California  and  from  the  Gulf  to  the  Great  Lakes.  Comparatively 
a  young  man,  Brother  Schaertzer  has  attained  his  present  prominent  position 
as  a  corporation  lawyer  by  hard  work  and  tireless  energy,  having  made 
his  own  way  in  life  since  he  was  fourteen  years  of  age. 

The  home  life  of  our  brother  could  not  be  happier.  Mrs.  Schaertzer 
is  very  truly  a  "  help  meet,"  intelligent,  cultured  and  refined.  In  this 
model  home  are  two  most  charming  daughters,  the  joy  and  pride  of  fond 
parents.  With  such  surroundings,  a  good  practice,  an  affectionate  wife, 
and  loving  children,  Brother  Schaertzer's  life  is  one  of  sunshine  over  which 
it.  is  the  prayer  of  his  brethren,  that  clouds  may  never  come  to  mar  and 
darken. 

As  a  fraternity  man — well  Henry  C.  Schaertzer  has  joined  almost 
everything  that  has  come  along,  believing,  as  he  does,  that  in  every 
fraternal  association  there  are  important  truths  to  imbibe  and  valuable 
lessons  to  learn.  He  is  affiliated  with  the  Masonic  fraternity,  being  Past 
Master  of  his  Lodge,  a  member  of  the  Royal  Arch  Chapter  and  is  quite 
active  in  Golden  Gate  Commandery,  No.  16,  Knights  Templar,  of  which 
he  is  at  present  (1908)  Senior  Warden.  He  is  also  connected  with  the 
Supreme  Council  of  the  Ancient  Accepted  Scottish  Rite  and  is  a  thirty- 
second  degree  Mason.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Improved  Order  of  Foresters, 
Native  Sons  of  the  Golden  West,  National  Union  and  many  other  organi- 
zations. 

Brother  Schaertzer,  however,  is  best  known  throughout  the  Union 
as  a  member  of  the  Junior  Order  United  American  Mechanics,  in  which 
organization  he  has  attained  the  highest  place  in  the  gift  of  the  Supreme 
Body — that  of  National  Councilor.  Like  many  more  in  the  West  and 
South  who  are  strong  men  in  the  Order  and  owe  their  inception  into  the 
Jr.  0.  U.  A.  M.  through  the  personal  influence  of  Brother  Collins  when 
National  Organizer,  Brother  Schaertzer  was  induced  by  him  to  connect 
himself  with  the  fraternity,  and  on  January  29,  1894,  he  became  a  charter 
member  of  Abraham  Lincoln  Council,  No.  2,  of  California,  at  the  institu- 
tion of  which  he  was  elected  Councilor  and  representing  his  Council  he 
took  part  in  the  organization  of  the  State  Council,  being  a  charter  member 
of  same,  which  was  instituted  on  February  22,  same  year,  and  was  elected 
State  Vice-Councilor.     At  the  next  session  of  the  State  Body  he  was  elected 


702  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

State  Councilor  which  position  he  held  for  three  consecutive  terms,  during 
which  time  the  Order  in  the  state  grew  from  700  to  over  2,500  in  member- 
ship. This  wonderful  success  was  attributable  to  the  zeal  and  energy  of 
Brother  Schaertzer,  who  not  only  sacrificed  his  profession  and  business, 
but  spent  his  own  money  to  lay  the  foundation  of  the  Order  and  preach 
the  doctrine  of  patriotism.  He  was  admitted  to  the  National  Council  in 
1895  and  has  been  a  member  of  that  body  ever  since.  He  has  taken  a 
conspicuous  part  in  the  proceedings  of  the  National  Council,  served  on 
some  of  its  most  important  committees,  and  as  a  debater  on  the  floor  of 
the  National  Body  he  has  held  a  prominent  place.  When  the  National 
Council  convened  at  Nashville,  Tenn.,  in  1905,  he  was  unanimously  elected 
National  Vice-Councilor  and  by  the  same  expression  of  unanimity  he  was 
raised  to  the  high  station  of  National  Councilor  at  the  biennial  session 
of  1907. 

Thus  in  brief  is  unfolded  the  story  of  Henry  C.  Schaertzer's  life,  and 
while  he.  is  thoroughly  imbued  with  the  principles  and  teachings  of  all 
other  organizations  with  which  he  is  connected,  still  ninety  per  cent,  of 
his  energy  and  zeal  has  been  given  to  the  promulgation  of  the  principles 
as  taught  by  the  Jr.  O.  U.  A.  M.  When  the  "  parting  of  the  ways  "  came 
in  1899,  Brother  Schaertzer  stood  flat-footed  and  four-square  on  the  side 
of  loyalty  to  the  mandates  of  the  Supreme  Body,  from  which  position  he 
has  never  for  a  moment  swerved. 

And  what  more  shall  be  said.  Honorable,  upright,  brave  and  true, 
our  brother  represents  the  highest  ideals  of  a  superb  Christian  manhood, 
and  the  correct  standard  of  American  citizenship.  With  his  brethren  in 
the  Order  he  has  stood  for  the  noblest  and  best;  in  his  profession  he  has 
brought  to  the  craft  merit  and  respect;  in  his  home  he  is  the  affectionate 
husband  and  most  loving  of  fathers — in  fact  in  every  sphere  he  is  placed 
he  reflects  all  that  is  true  and  pure  and  noble  in  human  character. 


,     W.  L.  S.  GILCREAST 
Junior    Past    National    Councilor,    1907-1909. 

A  descendant  from  an  English  and  Scotch  ancestry,  Walter  Lee  Smith 
Oilcreast,  of  Massachusetts,  was  born  in  Methuen,  same  state,  September 
16,  1860,  in  which  place  he  has  lived  all  his  life.  Having  secured  a  good 
common  school  education,  he  completed  his  studies  in  Tuft's  College,  from 
which  institution  he  graduated  in  1880,  and  for  a  number  of  years  taught 
in  the  public  schools,  and  then  took  up  the  profession  of  book-keeping 
which  has  been  his  life  occupation.  He  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss 
Lillian  Frances,  daughter  of  Colonel  Silas  P.  Richmond  in  1898,  and  the 
fruit  of  the  union  has  been  one  son,  Seaver  Richmond,  who  was  born 
February  22,   1900. 

It  is  as  a  member  of  the  Jr.  O.  U.  A.  M.  that  Brother  Gilcreast  is 
best  known  to  the  fraternity,  being  a  conspicuous  figure  not  only  in  his 
own  State  Council,  but  in  the  National  Council  and  the  Order  at  large. 
His  connection  with  the  Order  dates  from  August  5,  1891,  at  which  time 
Methuen  Council,  No.  24,  was  instituted,  he  being  one  of  the  charter 
members.  He  was  elected  Financial  Secretary  at  the  institution  of  the 
Council,    subsequently   Recording   Secretary   and    in   due   time   passed   the 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  70S 

chairs  of  the  Council.  In  1892,  he  became  a  member  of  the  State  Council 
of  Massachusetts,  which  body  at  once  recognized  his  ability  by  electing  him 
State  Council  Treasurer  which  position  he  held  until  1894,  when  he  was 
called  to  the  Chair  of  State  Vice-Councilor.  In  1895  he  was  advanced  to 
State  Councilor,  and  so  commendable  was  his  administration,  that  for 
three  sucessive  terms  his  brethren  kept  him  at  the  head  of  the  State 
organization. 

Brother  Gilcreast's  connection  with  the  National  Council  began  in 
1899,  when  he  was  appointed  a  member  of  the  National  Ritual  Committee, 
but  before  the  year  was  gone  he  was  chosen  to  the  high  position  of  Supreme 
Judge  on  the  National  Judiciary,  which,  during  those  turbulent  times  in 
the  Order,  required  a  high  type  and  exalted  standard  of  intellectual  man- 
hood. In  this  position  he  served  the  Order  faithfully  and  well,  and  on 
looking  around  for  a  typical  candidate  for  the  honors  of  National  Vice- 
Councilor,  Brother  Gilcreast  was  selected  at  the  session  of  1904  and  was 
unanimously  elected.  A  year  later,  at  Nashville,  he  was  placed  at  the 
head  of  the  organization  and  for  two  years  (being  the  first  National 
Councilor  to  serve  during  the  biennial  term)  he  gave  a  good  account  of 
his  stewardship,  and  when  he  resigned  the  Chair  to  his  successor  at 
Boston,  in  1907,  the  Order  had  regained  its  numerical  standing  that  it 
had  before  the  revolt  of  1899,  the  gaiji  for  the  term  being  194  Councils 
and  30,895  members,  leaving  a  surplus  in  the  National  Treasury  of  $20,000. 
the  largest  balance  ever  reported. 

Brother  Gilcreast  stands  high  in  the  opinion  and  affection  of  his 
compeers.  As  one  has  said,  "  his  name  is  a  synonym  for  self-respect  and 
entire  confidence  and  esteem."  Other  National  Councilors  have  been  more 
gifted  in  speech.  He  of  the  "silver  tongue,"  Dr.  Cooper,  or  that  intel- 
lectual giant  from  Pennsylvania,  P.  A.  Shanor,  are  more  resplendent  in 
words  and  oratory,  but  as  to  sterling  integrity,  unswerving  honesty  and 
clear  headed  judgment,  Brother  Gilcreast  measures  up  to  the  full  standard 
of  true  American  manhood. 

H.  L.  W.  TAYLOR  * 
National   Vice-Councilor,    1907-1909. 

Hugh  Lawson  White  Taylor,  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  is  altogether 
deserving  of  the  honors  that  the  Order  has  bestowed  upon  him,  tracing  as 
he  does,  his  ancestry  back  for  four  generations  without  the  admixture 
of  a  single  drop  of  foreign  blood  on  either  side.  His  great  grandfather  was 
Parmenas  Taylor,  who  was  born  in  Virginia  in  the  year  of  1753;  emigrated 
to  North  Carolina  and  began  his  vocation  as  a  surveyor  prior  to  the  War 
of  Independence.  When  the  Revolution  broke  out  he  cast  his  fortune  with 
the  American  forces,  and  was  found  fighting  for  the  independence  of  the 
colonies  at  King's  Mountain,  a  captain  in  Colonel  White's  Regiment. 
During  the  war  a  warm  friendship  sprang  up  between  the  young  captain 
and  his  commanding  officer,  and  when  hostilities  ceased  Colonel  White 
insisted  on  his  returning  with  him  to  his  home  in  Burke  County,  N.  C. 
Colonel  White  had  a  young  and  beautiful  daughter  just  fifteen  years  of 
age,  named  Elizabeth,  and  between  her  and  Colonel  Taylor  a  warm  attach- 


*  Written   by   Brother  Geo.   W.    Gardner. 


704  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

ment  sprang  up  and  after  a  very  brief  courtship  the  pair  eloped  from  the 
maternal  household  on  horseback  and  fled  to  the  banks  of  the  French 
Broad,  two  hundred  miles  west  of  the  Blue  Ridge  Mountains,  where,  on 
a  big  bend  of  that  river,  he  took  up  and  finally  entered  upon  a  tract  of 
six  hundred  and  forty  acres  of  fine  bottom  land.  This  was  in  1783,  the 
country  still  being  in  the  territory  of  North  Carolina.  Colonel  Taylor 
and  his  young  wife  began  vigorously  to  hew  a  home  out  of  the  wilderness. 
The  soil  was  prolific,  the  climate  genial,  and  before  his  and  his  wife's 
death,  both  attaining  over  seventy  years,  he  had  carved  a  magnificent  farm 
out  of  the  wilderness,  which  came  into  the  possession  of  his  youngest  son 
Willis,  other  sons  and  daughters  having  been  located  previous  to.  his  death. 
Colonel  Taylor  was  an  uncle  to  Zachary  Taylor  of  Mexican  War  fame,  and 
was  a  member  of  the  convention  that  formed  the  first  Constitution  of  the 
State  of  Tennessee. 

Willis  Taylor  was  a  farmer  and  a  local  Methodist  preacher,  and 
married  Miss  Annie  Harrison.  To  them  eleven  children  were  born,  the 
eldest  Parmenas,  being  the  father  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch.  Willis 
Taylor  lived  to  the  ripe  age  of  seventy-eight  years  and  died  on  the  farm 
where  he  was  born  and  raised,  and  his  ashes  were  laid  to  rest  in  the 
Taylor  graveyard.  Parmenas  Taylor  was  married  to  Sarah  Ann  Moore, 
and  on  July  the  14th,  1852,  Hugh*Lawson  White  Taylor,  the  third  child, 
was  born  at  the  old  home  place  in  Jefferson  County,  Tennessee.  He  was 
named  for  the  great  Tennessee  orator  and  statesman,  Hugh  Lawson  White, 
who  was  a  cousin  to  his  grandfather,  Willis  Taylor.  Hugh  remained  on 
the  same  farm  which  had  furnished  employment  and  shelter  for  three  gen- 
erations of  Taylor's  until  he  was  sixteen  years  of  age,  when  he  entered  the 
Ragan  High  School  at  Morristown,  Tennessee,  from  which  he  graduated  in 
1871.  After  his  graduation,  three  years  were  devoted  to  school  teaching. 
During  his  career  as  a  pedagog,  on  May  21,  1872,  he  was  married  to  Miss 
Emma  Harrison.  Their  union  has  been  blessed  with  three  boys  and  one 
daughter.  The  daughter  was  removed  by  the  hand  of  death  from  the 
family  circle  in  1899,  at  the  age  of  twenty-six  years,  but  three  sturdy  sons 
have  reached  manhood's  years,  and  two  of  them  have  become  active  mem- 
bers of  the  Order.  After  his  career  as  a  school  teacher,  Brother  Taylor 
returned  to  the  farm,  where  he  devoted  himself  to  farming  and  stock  rais- 
ing, and  was  very  successful  in  a  financial  way  until  1890,  when  he  deter- 
mined to  go  West,  and  in  1891,  disposed  of  the  ancestral  acres,  and  with  his 
family  moved  to  Paris,  Texas,  where  he  lived  but  a  single  year,  returning 
to  Newport,  Tennessee,  a  growing  little  town  within  seven  miles  of  his 
old  home.  Here  he  has  lived  ever  since,  conducting  with  some  financial 
profit  both  a  wholesale  and  retail  grocery  business. 

Brother  Taylor  has  always  been  a  fraternity  man.  At  the  age  of 
twenty-one  he  was  made  a  Master  Mason,  and  has  repeatedly  represented 
his  Lodge  in  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the  state.  He  has  been  a  member  of  the 
Knights  of  Honor  for  twenty  years.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Improved 
Order  of  Red  Men  and  a  Past  Great  Sachem.  He  is  now  serving  out  a  term 
as  Representative  to  the  Great  Council  of  the  United  States.  He  joined 
the  Jr.  0.  U.  A.  M.  in  February,  1897,  the  first  time  he  knew  that  such  an 
Order  was  in  existence.  He  was  elected  Councilor  at  the  institution  of 
Unaka  Council,  No.  24;  was  elected  the  first  Representative  and  went  to 
the  State  Council,  May,  1897;   was  elected  State  Council  Conductor,  was 


CHAS.   REIMER 
Past  National  Councilor  and  National  Treasurer 


.MARTIN   M.   WOODS 
National  Secretary 


STEPHEN  COLLINS 

Secretary-Manager   Funeral   Benefit   Depart- 
ment and  Beneficiary  Degree. 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  705 

also  elected  Representative  to  the  National  Council  and  attended  the 
Minneapolis  session  in  1899;  he  served  two  terms  as  National  Representa- 
tive and  served  three  years  as  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Trustees  of  the 
Orphans'  Home.  He  has  served  his  State  Council  in  every  office;  was  State 
Councilor  of  Tennessee  in  1900,  and  had  the  most  successful  administration 
the  Order  ever  had  in  Tennessee  up  to  that  period. 

Brother  Taylor  has  been  President  of  the  Board  of  Education  of  the 
Newport  High  School  for  the  past  five  years,  and  a  member  of  the  Meth- 
odist Episcopal  Church,  South,  for  thirty  years  past.  He  is  abstemious 
in  all  his  habits  and  a  staunch  friend  of  the  temperance  cause,  never  letting 
an  opportunity  pass  to  give  intemperance  a  sturdy  blow. 

Brother  Gardner  has  presented  an  interesting  sketch  of  our  esteemed 
brother  whose  native  modesty  would  not  permit  him  to  prepare  same. 
It  should  be  added,  however,  that  to  Brother  Taylor  there  came  unsolicited 
upon  his  part  the  honor  of  being  elected  National  Vice-Councilor  at  Boston, 
Mass.,  in  June,  1907,  a  post  of  duty  as  well  as  that  of  National  Councilor 
he  will  most  eminently  fill.  Being  in  the  prime  of  life,  the  Order  may 
expect  excellent  things  from  him,  and  as  he  has  "  made  good  "  in  every 
line  of  duty  in  the  past,  he  will  also  do  so  in  every  capacity  in  which 
he  is  placed  in  the  future.  Well  may  the  Tennessee  brethren  be  proud  of 
their  Junior  son  in  whose  veins  flow  the  purest  American  blood.  Descended 
from  such  a  noble  ancestry,  it  is  not  a  matter  of  surprise  that  our  brother 
possesses  those  traits  that  go  to  make  up  a  great  character — uprightness, 
a  high  sense  of  honor  and  a  simon-pure  patriotism. 

CHAS.   REIMER 
Past  National   Councilor  and  National  Treasurer. 

For  22  years  and  more  Brother  Chas.  Reimer  has  stood  for  all  that 
is  good  and  true  as  taught  in  the  Jr.  0.  U.  A.  M.,  having  united  with 
the  Order  in  1885,  he  has  been  signally  honored  as  well  as  esteemed  by 
his  brethren.  Having  filled  all  the  principal  offices  of  his  Subordinate 
Council,  he  was  sent  as  a  Representative  to  the  State  Council  and  for 
some  years  served  as  its  Treasurer.  He  was  elected  National  Representa- 
tive and  attended  the  sessions  of  the  National  Council  each  year  in  that 
capacity;  in  1898  he  was  elected  National  Vice-Councilor  and  at  Minne- 
apolis, Minn.,  in  1899,  he  was  placed  in  the  Chair  of  National  Councilor. 
During  the  year  1903-1904,  National  Treasurer  J.  Adam  Sohl  was  compelled 
to  resign  owing  to  increasing  disability,  whereupon  National  Councilor 
Cooper  appointed  Brother  Reimer  Acting  Treasurer  until  the  meeting  of 
the  National  Council,  at  which  time,  1904,  he  was  unanimously  elected  to 
that  responsible  position  and  has  been  reelected  without  opposition  at  each 
session  held  since. 

There  are  times  in  the  history  of  nations  as  well  as  of  religion  and 
societies,  that  the  "  man  of  the  hour  "  is  needed  and  God  has  always  the 
man  for  the  emergency.  Illustrations  of  this  fact  are  so  numerous,  even 
in  our  own  land,  that  it  is  scarcely  necessary  to  refer  to  them.  When  a 
nation  was  to  be  born,  the  first  constitutional  government  to  be  established, 
there  were  men  of  the  hour  ready — Samuel  Adams,  Patrick  Henry  and 
George  Washington.    Lincoln  and  McKinley  were  also  men  of  the  hour. 

45 


706  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

When  rebellion  within  the  Order  was  inaugurated  and  the  very  life 
of  the  organization  was  in  jeopardy,  the  National  Council  fortunately 
had  at  the  helm  "  a  man  of  the  hour  " — Chas.  Reimer — conservative,  de- 
liberate, though  true  and  faithful  to  the  National  Body,  who  guided  the 
organization  through  the  crucial  years  of  its  career.  Loyal  to  the  highest 
and  best  interests  of  the  Order,  never  swerving  for  a  moment  from  the 
path  of  duty,  yet  no  one  can  justly  charge  him  with  being  unfair;  even 
those  outside  the  fold  must  admit  that  he  was  lenient  and  considerate, 
all  the  while  extending  the  "  olive  branch  "  to  his  erring  brethren.  Un- 
assuming, and  modest,  with  but  little  to  say  on,  the  floor  of  the  National 
Council,  yet  when  Brother  Reimer  does  speak,  his  words  are  the  expression 
of  mature  judgment  and  a  well-balanced  mind.  He  is  one  of  the  strong 
men  in  the  Order,  clear-headed,  a  safe  counselor  and  a  perfect  gentleman. 


MARTIN  M.  WOODS 
Past  State  Councilor  and  National  Secretary. 

In  the  City  of  Newburyport,  Massachusetts,  on  November  9,  1859, 
Martin  M.  Woods,  of  Massachusetts,  the  National  Secretary  first  saw 
the  light  of  day.  His  childhood  was  spent  in  the  public  schools  until  he 
was  17  years  old,  when  he  entered  the  shop  of  his  father  to  learn  the 
blacksmith's  trade,  which  occupation  he  followed  for  13  years.  Leaving 
this  work,  he  obtained  a  position  with  H.  G.  O.  &  T.  M.  Chase,  the  cele- 
brated comb-makers  of  New  England,  in  whose  employ  he  remained  10 
years. 

In  1876,  he  was  united  in  marriage  with  Jeannette  Clayton  Chase, 
of  West  Newbury,  she  being  a  direct  descendant  of  the  Pricilla  and  Aquilla 
Chase,  so  well  known,  historically,  in  England.  Four  years  after  his 
marriage,  he  removed  to  West  Newbury  where  he  spent  16  years  of  his  life. 
It  was  while  living  at  the  latter  place  that  he  came  in  touch  with  the 
Jr.  O.  U.  A.  M.,  joining  Indian  Hill  Council,  No.  11,  February  6,  18S8.  His 
admission  to  the  Order  was  the  beginning  of  a  faithful  and  earnest  career 
in  the  offices  of  the  organiation,  his  call  to  duty  coming  rapidly.  On  June 
29,  1891,  Brother  Woods  was  elected  Councilor  of  Indian  Hill  Council,  and 
as  soon  as  he  had  passed  the  chairs,  he  was  made  Financial  Secretary,  in 
which  position  he  served  five  years.  The  year  following  his  election  as 
Councilor,  1892,  he  was  sent  as  a  Representative  to  the  State  Council, 
appearing  the  same  year  in  that  body  for  the  first  time  as  did  his  life- 
long friend,  Brother  W.  L.  S.  Gilcreast,  where  he  took  foremost  rank,  and 
in  1894,  was  elected  State  Council  Secretary,  in  which  position  he  has 
served  until  June,  1907,  when  he  resigned,  having  been  elected  National 
Secretary  at  that  date. 

His  State  Council  further  honored  him  in  1896,  by  electing  him 
National  Representative  and  his  first  appearance  in  the  National  Body 
was  at  Pittsburg,  in  1897.  He  also  attended  the  sessions  at  Minneapolis, 
in  1899;  Philadelphia,  in  1900;  Buffalo,  in  1901;  and  San  Francisco,  in 
1903;  at  which  session  he  was  elected  National  Conductor,  and  served  in 
that  position  at  St.  Louis,  in  1904. 

While  Brother  Woods  was  a  resident  of  West  Newbury,  he  took 
prominent  part,  as  a  true  American  citizen,  in  town  affairs,  having  served 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  707 

on  the  School  Committee  two  terms,  was  one  of  seven  that  were  instru- 
mental in  securing  a  Free  Public  Library  and  was  Chairman  of  the  Board 
of  Trustees  as  long  as  he  resided  in  the  place.  He  was  also  a  member 
of  the  Board  of  Engineers  of  the  Fire  Department  for  three  years  and  one 
year  chief  engineer.  On  removing  to  Leominster,  Mass.,  in  1899,  he  took 
a  position  with  the  Viscoloid  Company,  having  charge  of  the  Hydraulic 
Press  Department. 

The  home  life  of  Brother  Woods  is  exceptionally  happy.  Two  chil- 
dren, a  son  and  daughter,  have  been  born  bringing  sunshine  and  joy.  Both 
Brother  and  Mrs.  Woods  are  members  of  the  Daughters  of  America,  taking 
a   prominent   part   in   the   organization. 

It  remained,  however,  for  the  session  of  the  National  Council  at 
Boston,  in  1907,  to  confer  upon  our  brother  greater  honors,  that  of  electing 
hirn  to  the  office  of  National  Secretary.  His  long  official  connection  with 
his  own  State  Council  having  fitted  him  for  that  line  of  work,  it  is  confi- 
dently expected  that  he  will  measure  up  to  the  responsible  place  of  trust 
his  brethren  have  placed  him  in. 

Brother  Woods  is  of  a  quiet,  retiring  disposition,  conservative,  yet 
positive,  when  the  right  is  to  be  maintained.  In  the  counsels  of  the 
Order  he  has  not  a  great  deal  to  say,  but  his  sterling  integrity  commands 
universal  respect,  and  when  he  does  speak  he  is  generally  found  on  the 
right  side. 

STEPHEN  COLLINS 

Past-State    Councilor    of    Pennsylvania,    and    Secretary-Manager 

Funeral    Benefit   Department. 

Stephen  Collins  comes  from  an  old  Pittsburg  family,  his  father  being 
born  in  Pittsburg  in  1804  and  was  a  son  of  Thomas  Collins,  one  of  the 
first  lawyers  in  that  city  coming  there  from  Reading,  Pa.,  in  1796.  His 
great-grandfather,  Collinson  Bead,  was  a  prominent  lawyer  in  Philadelphia 
and  was  a  member  of  the  first  electoral  college  which  elected  George  Wash- 
ington as  President  of  the  United  States,  and  Collinson  Read's  grandfather, 
Charles  Read,  was  Mayor  of  Philadelphia  in  1704  and  afterwards  one  of 
the  "  Colonial  Councilors  "  of  Pennsylvania. 

Stephen  Collins'  father  was  admitted  to  West  Point  Military  Academy 
in  1819  and  his  eldest  brother,  Charles  Read  Collins,  was  admitted  to  the 
same  academy  in  1854,  graduated  in  1859  and  was  killed  in  the  Battle  of 
the  Wilderness  in  1863.  Stephen  Collins  was  born  in  1852  and  attended 
the  Public  Schools  in  Allegheny.  In  1872  he  entered  the  Railway  mail 
service  and  in  1881  was  appointed  Superintendent  of  Mails  of  the  Pittsburg 
P.  O.  and  served  in  that  position  until   1891. 

He  entered  the  Jr.  0.  U.  A.  M.  as  a  charter  member  of  Wilkinsburg 
Council,  No.  92,  on  May  8,  1886,  and  was  its  first  Councilor  and  repre- 
sentative to  the  State  Council  of  Pennsylvania  in  July,  1886,  and  has 
attended  every  session  of  the  State  Council  since  that  date.  In  July,  1889, 
he  was  elected  State  Vice-Councilor  and  during  this  year  all  records  were 
broken  and  101  Councils  were  organized  in  Pennsylvania.  During  his 
term  as  State  Councilor  from  July,  1890,  to  September,  1891,  235  Councils 
were  organized  in  the  state. 

The  membership  of  the  Order  in  Pennsjdvania  when  Brother  Collins 
became  State  Vice-Councilor  was  about  38,000  in  293  Councils.     On  Decern- 


708  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

ber  31st,  1889,  it  had  increased  to  43,854  in  394  Councils;  on  December 
31st,  1890,  to  5(3,566  in  532  Councils;  on  June  30th,  1891,  to  64,274  in  638 
Councils;  and  on  June  30th,  1892,  the  last  report  prior  to  the  time  his  term 
ended  on  the  Board  of  Officers  in  September,  1892,  the  membership  was 
78,747   in  804   Councils. 

In  February,  1892,  Brother  Collins  was  appointed  as  National  Or- 
ganizer, that  position  having  been  made  vacant  by  the  resignation  of 
Past  National  Councilor  Ogle,  of  Baltimore.  He  started  work  at  once  in 
Michigan  and  the  official  proceedings  of  the  National  Council  tell  the 
history  of  his  work  in  organizing  and  instituting  the  State  Councils  of 
Michigan,  Iowa,  Nebraska,  Missouri,  Kansas,  Minnesota,  Colorado,  Cali- 
fornia, Oregon,  Texas  and  Georgia  and  also  organized  Councils  in  Wash- 
ington, Arizona  and  Tennessee.  His  work  as  National  Organizer  ended 
at  the  Asheville  session  in  1894.  After  serving  on  the  National  Legislative 
Committee  in  1S98,  1899  and  1900,  and  at  the  Buffalo  session  in  June. 
1901,  the  Funeral  Benefit  Department  was  created  and  he  was  elected 
Secretary-Manager  of  the  Beneficiary  Degree  and  the  new  department  was 
placed  in  his  charge.  The  record  made  in  this  work  is  recent  history. 
The  Beneficiary  Degree  had  less  than  400  members  and  was  in  debt  for 
over  $5,000  and  the  report  for  December  31st,  1907,  shows  a  membership 
of  3,566  members  and  all  liabilities  have  been  long  since  paid,  and  there 
was  a  surplus  of  over  $35,000  safely  invested  and  earning  a  good  interest, 
and  the  plans  of  the  Beneficiary  Degree  had  been  improved  and  placed  on 
adequate  rates. 

The  Funeral  Benefit  Department  was  created  at  a  very  critical 
period  in  the  Order's  history  and  met  with  the  most  bitter  and  determined 
opposition  in  many  places  of  the  country  Suits  entered  before  the  Attorney 
General  of  Pennsylvania  and  carried  into  the  courts  of  Philadelphia  by  the 
Philadelphia  F.  B.  A.,  known  as  the  F.  B.  A.  of  the  U.  S.,  cost  the  Funeral 
Benefit  Department  over  $2,000  for  lawyers  fees  and  court  costs,  but  the 
National  Council  Department  was  successful  in  every  case  and  nothing 
could  check  its  advancement  until  at  the  end  of  six  years  it  has  a  member- 
ship of  over  133,000  and  surplus  funds  of  over  $110,000  safely  invested 
and  earning  five  per  cent,  interest  and  has  made  a  record  for  prompt 
payments  and  satisfactory  service.  The  Department  has  made  a  record 
for  economical  management  being  conducted  for  less  than  four  per  cent,  of 
the  gross  receipts. 

Twenty  years  of  Brother  Collins'  activity  in  the  Junior  Order  can, 
in  short,  be  summed  up  in  one  word — intensity.  This  characteristic  of 
his  nature  gave  him  great  advantage  over  those  who  had  no  object  before 
them  spurring  them  on  to  greater  efforts.  Such  a  temperament,  however, 
has  its  disadvantages ;  while  it  makes  undying  friendships,  sometimes  it 
arouses  strong  antagonisms.  While  not  a  lawyer,  yet  he  possesses  ability 
for  penetrating  legal  problems  and  judicial  methods,  and  is  generally  correct 
in  his  opinions  and  judgment.  When  the  pirates  sought  to  scuttle  the  old 
ship  and  disrupt  the  Order,  Brother  Collins  was  a  potent  factor  who,  when 
others  become  pessimistic,  never  for  a  moment  doubted  not  only  the  right- 
fulness of  the  claims  for  which  the  National  Council  was  contending  but 
of  the  ultimate  triumph  of  the  cause  of  loyalty;  and  to  maintain  the 
honor  of  the  fraternity  and  the  position  of  the  Supreme  Head  of  the 
organization,  he  threw  himself  like  a  valiant  knight  in  the  forefront  of  the 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  709 

struggle.  But  the  author  has  no  intention  of  writing  his  panegyric — his 
work  as  outlined  above  is  a  matter  of  record  and  that  is  the  standard  to 
judge  any  man. 

Stephen  Collins  is  somewhat  of  a  fratcrnalist  being  a  member  of 
J.  P.  Winower  Council,  No.  618,  Jr.  O.  U.  A.  M.  of  Pittsburg;  Wilkinsburg 
Council,  No.  760,  Royal  Arcanum;  Stephen  C.  Foster  Conclave,  No.  360, 
Improved  Order  Heptasophs;  Oakland  Lodge,  No.  421,  Knights  of  Pythias; 
Griflin  Lodge,  No.  413,  F.  and  A.  M.,  and  Pythagoras  Chapter,  No.  19, 
R.  A.  M.  of  Griffin,  Georgia. 


CHAS.  LAWRENCE 

Author  of  Original  Resolution  to  Establish  an  Orphans'   Home. 

As  a  single  pebble  cast  into  the  sea  will  send  a  wave-movement  across 
the  mighty  deep  until  it  shall  touch  the  farther  shore,  so  one  little  act 
from  one  scarcely  known  outside  the  circle  of  his  own  home  Council  has 
started  a  movement  that  has  become  the  crowning  glory  of  the  Jr. 
0.  U.  A.  M. — the  National  Orphans'  Home — and  as  the  years  roll  on, 
although  he  who  cast  the  pebble  shall  be  lying  in  "  God's  Acre,"  the 
influence  and  blessing  of  that  one  heart-throb  will  move  on  until  the  last 
orphan  of  the  Order  shall  have  found  a  home  and  human  suffering  shall 
have  been  swallowed  up  in  the  beatific  glories  of  earth's  millennium. 

Chas.  Lawrence  was  born  in  South  Boston,  Massachusetts,  on  Feb- 
ruary 23,  1853,  and  was  reared  under  the  influences  of  New  England 
conservatism.  When  less  than  two  years  of  age,  both  his  parents  were 
removed  by  death,  whereupon  he  was  taken  into  a  Christian  home  where  he 
was  adopted  by  the  name  he  now  bears  Brother  Lawrence  spoke  in  the 
highest  terms  of  the  kind  family  where  he  spent  his  childhood  and  early 
youth,  and  under  whose  sheltering  arms  he  found  kindness  and  love.  On 
arriving  at  the  age  of  eighteen  years,  speaking  in  common  parlance,  young 
Lawrence  started  out  on  life's  journey  to  "  paddle  his  own  canoe."  He 
learned  the  plumber's  trade  and  that  has  been  his  life  occupation  ever 
since. 

Removing  from  New  England  to  Ohio,  Brother  Lawrence  settled  in 
Mansfield,  where  he  was  brought  under  the  influence  and  teachings  of 
the  Jr.  0.  U.  A.  M.  in  1890,  and  became  a  charter  member  and  the  first 
Councilor  of  Freedom  Council,  No.  63.  He  at  once  entered  upon  his  Junior 
career  with  enthusiasm  and  became  a  leader  in  his  Council  which  he 
represented  in  the  State  Council  several  sessions  and  took  a  prominent 
part  in  the  deliberations  of  the  same.  He  also  allied  himself  with 
American  Commandery,  No.  1,  of  Ohio,  U.  A.  M.,  or  what  is  familiarly 
known  as  the  Uniform  Rank. 

Recognizing  his  zeal,  his  Council,  as  stated,  elected  him  Representative 
to  the  State  Council  in  which  body  he  served  with  credit.  Previous  to 
the  session  of  the  State  Body  in  1891,  the  "  Original  Orphans'  Home 
Resolution"  was  introduced  in  Freedom  Council  by  Brother  Lawrence 
instructing  the  Representatives  of  the  Council  to  agitate  in  the  State 
Council  the  question  of  a  "  Widows'  and  Orphans'  Home,"  which  was 
adopted,  hence  becoming  the  inceptive  movement  that  ultimately  culminated 
in  the  National   Orphans'   Home,  at  Tiffin,  Ohio.     This  action  when  pre- 


710  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

sented  in  the  State  Body  fired  up  the  soul  of  Brother  J.  H.  Zimmerman 
who  became  the  champion  of  the  movement,  and  justly  earned  the  title 
"  Father  of  the  National  Orphans'  Home." 

Brother  Lawrence  at  present  (1907)  is  a  resident  of  Chattanooga, 
Tennessee,  and  is  as  earnest  and  active  as  ever  in  the  cause  of  Juniorism, 
and  has  connected  himself  with  Lookout  Commandery,  No.  1,  U.  A.  M., 
of  Tennessee,  and  Winona  Council,  No.  4,  Jr.  O.  U.  A.  M.,  of  same  city. 


J.  H.  ZIMMERMAN 
'•  Father   of  the  National   Orphans'    Home." 

To  write  the  story  of  the  National  Orphans'  Home  of  the  Jr. 
O.  U.  A.  M.  and  leave  out  of  the  romance  the  name  of  J.  H.  Zimmerman 
would  be  like  placing  one  of  the  dramas  of  Shakespeare  upon  the  stage 
with  Hamlet  left  out.  Space  in  this  connection  will  not  allow  a  restate- 
ment of  many  facts  of  Brother  Zimmerman's  part  in  the  founding  and 
establishing  of  the  Orphans'  Home  and  the  reader  is  referred  to  the 
chapters  on  that  subject;  however,  a  brief  reference  must  find  a  place 
in  this  sketch. 

Brother  Zimmerman  is  a  thorough-bred,  simon-pure  Pennsylvanian, 
of  German  extraction  as  the  name  indicates,  and  was  born  at  Mexico, 
Juniata  County,  August  4,  1856.  Having  obtained  a  good  common  school 
education,  he  applied  himself  to  the  trade  of  a  printer  and  has  followed 
that  as  well  as  the  publishing  business  ever  since,  being  either  editor  or 
manager  of  daily  and  weekly  publications.  In  1883  he  chose  Miss  Mary 
C.  Weaver  for  his  helpmeet  and  two  children,  Annie  C,  a  teacher  in  the 
public  schools,  and  Harry,  still  in  school  (1907),  were  the  fruits  of  a 
happy  union. 

Brother  Zimmerman  imbibed  the  principles  of  the  Order  while  a 
resident  of  Newport,  Pa.,  having  been  induced  through  the  personal  friend- 
ship of  the  late  Past  National  Councilor  Dr.  Harry  Stites  to  join  Newport 
Council,  No.  106,  in  June  of  1873,  and  on  the  30th  of  May  following  he 
was  Chief  Marshal  of  the  first  parade  on  Decoration  Day  in  which  the 
Juniors  took  the  place  of  the  veterans  in  decorating  the  graves  of  the  heroic 
dead.  In  1878,  Brother  Zimmerman  represented  his  Council  in  the  State 
Council  that  met  at  York,  as  well  as  at  the  session  the  following  year, 
and  subsequently  served  as  Deputy  State  Councilor  under  three  State 
Councilors.  In  removing  to  Plain  City,  Ohio,  in  1885,  where  he  became 
editor  of  The  Plain  City  Dealer,  he  let  his  light  as  a  Junior  shine  and 
organized  Plain  City  Council,  No.  14,  and  in  1889,  represented  his  Council 
in  the  State  Body  at  its  meeting  in  Zanesville.  This  was  the  beginning 
of  Ohio's  revival  in  Juniorism,  and  our  brother  entered  enthusiastically  into 
the  advanced  movement.  In  1890,  he  was  elected  National  Representative 
and  attended  the  session  of  the  National  Council  at  Chicago  in  June, 
same  year,  where  he  was  placed  on  the  Ritual  Committee. 

It  was  at  the  session  of  the  State  Council  of  Ohio,  in  May,  1891, 
that  Brother  Chas.  Lawrence  presented  the  original  resolution  relative  to 
establishing  a  "  Widows'and  Orphans'  Home,"  as  adopted  by  his  Council, 
Freedom,  No.  63,  of  Mansfield,  which  as  stated  elsewhere  was  the  inceptive 
movement  that  has  brought  honor  and  glory  to  our  Order.     Previous  to 


J.  H.  ZIMMERMAN 

Father  of  the  Orphans'  Home 


REV.  J.  R.  BOBLITS 
Past   National  Councilor,  Formerly  Superin- 
tendent Orphans'  Home 


GEO.  B.  NESBITT 

Formerly  Superintendent  Orphans' 

Home 


W.  E.   FAISON 

Past  National  Councilor,  Editor  of 
The  American 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  711 

this,  however,  the  same  thought  had  come  to  Brother  Zimmerman,  and 
it  had  been  burning  its  way  down  into  his  heart  as  he  gave  expression  to 
his  thought  in  October  of  previous  year  to  several  members  of  the  National 
Council,  hence  when  the  "  original  resolution "  was  offered  in  his  State 
Council  Brother  Zimmerman  at  once  became  the  champion  of  the  enter- 
prise, and  as  Brother  Kernan,  in  his  "  History  and  Description  of  the 
Orphans'  Home,"  says:  "He  took  up  the  work  at  the  point  where  dis- 
cussion sank  into  indifference  with  so  much  vigor  that  he  justly  earned 
the  title  of  the  '  Father  of  the  Orphans'  Home.'  " 

It  was  Brother  Zimmerman  who  wrote  the  original  National  Council 
resolution,  and  in  behalf  of  the  State  Council  of  Ohio,  submitted  it  to  the 
National  Body  at  its  session  held  at  Cleveland,  Ohio,  in  1891,  which  was 
adopted  and  he  was  placed  on  the  Committee  to  take  the  project  into 
consideration  and  was  selected  as  its  Secretary,  and  as  all  know,  he  \v;is 
practically  the  Committee,  as  to  him  fell  the  work  of  formulating  the 
plans  and  scope  of  the  proposed  Home,  as  well  as  stirring  up  the  Order 
as  to  the  feasibility  and  practicability  of  the  undertaking.  As  is  true 
in  all  great  movements,  the  mind  of  humanity  is  slow  to  grasp  the  idea 
and  the  "man  behind  the  gun  "  often  lives  many  years  in  advance  of  his 
compeers;  so  it  was  equally  true  of  the  Orphans'  Home  movement — no 
one  seemed  to  believe  it  could  be  accomplished — and  many  in  the  National 
Body  looked  upon  it  as  a  dream  and  Brother  Zimmerman  as  a  good 
dreamer.  Even  Brother  Deemer  viewed  the  project  as  the  dream  of  an 
enthusiast,  and  when  the  Home,  through  the  grit  and  faith  of  its  champion 
became  a  reality  at  the  session  of  the  National  Council  in  1896,  the 
National  Secretary  was  frank  enough  to  confess  his  former  pessimism  and 
doubts  when  there  was  handed  over  to  the  Order  a  property,  clear,  with 
money  and  pledges  aggregating  $50,000.  The  Home  being  established, 
Brother  Zimmerman  was  placed  in  charge  as  Superintendent  and  in  the 
month  of  August,  1896,  the  first  orphans  were  installed  by  him  in  the 
original  cottage,  a  two-story  frame  building.  Cottages  1  and  2  were  quickly 
erected  and  the  farm  and  institution  was  placed  on  a  sound  basis  under 
the  wise  supervision  of  the  Superintendent.  Such  was  Brother  Zimmer- 
man's part  in  the  establishment  of  the  Home,  which  will  stand  as  his 
monument  when  his  soul  shall  have  taken  its  flight  to  the  "  home  beyond 
the  tide."  Ohio  in  those  sunshiny  years  of  our  brother's  life  appreciated 
his  work  and  worth.  Each  State  Councilor  spoke  of  him  in  the  most 
complimentary  terms;  a  motion  was  made  at  one  of  the  sessions  to  elect 
him  National  Representative  by  acclamation,  which,  on  being  ruled  out 
of  order,  as  the  laws  required  that  all  candidates  must  be  elected  by  ballot, 
he  was  unanimously  elected;  and  then  as  a  mark  of  love  and  esteem,  on 
motion,  a  rising  vote  of  thanks  was  tendered  him,  accompanied  by  a  tiger, 
for  his  magnanimous  work. 

After  serving  as  Superintendent  for  about  two  years  Brother  Zimmer- 
man retired  and  since  that  time  has  taken  but  little  part  in  the  affairs  of 
State  or  National  Council,  although  retaining  his  membership  in  Cin- 
cinnatus  Council,  No.  82.  The  causes  that  led  him  to  retire  from  the  Home 
and  the  wrongs  that  he  feels  that  have  been  done  to  him,  is  a  chapter 
in  our  brother's  life  over  which  we  would  draw  a  veil,  as  we  cannot 
enter  into  the  merits  or  demerits  of  an  unpleasant  controversy.  Suffice 
it  to  say,  that  in  his  intense  zeal  in  carrying  out  the  project  of  the  Home 


712  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

and  establishing  it  on  a  good  basis,  Brother  Zimmerman  involved  himself 
financially,  and  as  a  result,  he  lost  his  home  and  all  to  meet  his  personal 
obligations  made  in  the  interest  of  the  institution.  No  one  in  the  Order 
worked  as  hard  as  he  for  the  Home  and  none  have  sacrificed  as  much. 
If  wrongs  have  been  committed,  they  should  be  righted  and  the  life  of  our 
brother  be  sweetened  with  expressions  of  gratitude  due  him.  His  present 
home  is  Wellston,  Ohio,  where  he  is  manager  of  a  daily  and  weekly  publi- 
cation. 

REV.  JOHN  It.  BOBLITS 
Past    National    Councilor    from    Maryland. 

One  of  the  "  veterans "  in  the  Junior  Order,  although  still  in  the 
meridian  of  life,  is  Rev.  John  Royston  Boblits,  of  Baltimore,  Md.  He 
was  born  near  the  City  of  Baltimore,  December  4,  1855,  and  secured  his 
education  in  the  public  schools  of  the  state  and  then  learned  the  art  of 
telegraphy,  in  which  profession  he  is  still  engaged. 

Having  been  converted  in  1887,  he  joined  the  M.  E.  Church  in  which 
he  has  maintained  membership  ever  since.  He  was  licensed  to  exhort 
February  24,  1893,  and  licensed  to  preach  April  23,  1894,  and  for  four 
years  served  under  the  presiding  elder  in  the  New  Jersey  Conference  as 
local  supply,  and  was  ordained  Local  Deacon  on  April  5,  1903,  by  Bishop 
Fitzgerald. 

Brother  Boblits'  career  in  the  Order  has  been  a  long  as  well  as  busy 
one,  especially  is  the  latter  fact  true  in  its  earlier  history,  as  the  following 
outline  indicates:  Was  initiated  in  Golden  Rule  Council,  No.  6,  of  Mary- 
land, January  13,  1874;  held  the  offices  of  A.  R.  S.,  Vice-Councilor,  then 
Councilor  and  was  then  elected  R.  S.  which  position  he  filled  for  many  years 
until  compelled  to  resign  on  account  of  his  business;  but  after  some  years 
he  was  again  elected  to  the  position,  which  he  resigned  when  elected 
National  Councilor.  He  was  elected  Representative  to  the  State  Council 
at  the  close  of  his  term  as  Councilor,  and  was  by  that  body  elected 
National  Representative,  January  25,  1886,  to  fill  a  vacancy,  and  at  the 
next  sesson,  January,  1887,  he  was  reelected  for  a  term  of  five  years. 
Brother  Boblits  was  unanimously  elected  National  Vice-Councilor  in  1890, 
and  at  the  Cleveland  session  in  June,  1891,  he  was  placed  in  the  Chair 
of  National  Councilor,  in  which  capacity  he  presided  at  the  session  of 
the  National  Council  held  at  Atlantic  City,  N.  J.  His  administration 
was  eminently  successful,  there  being  1,260  Councils  and  107,991  members 
recorded,  a  gain  over  preceding  year,  of  341  Councils  anl  25,396  members. 
From  1893  to  1894  he  served  on  Committee  on  Forms  and  Ceremonies,  and 
when  the  office  of  National  Chaplain  was  created  by  the  National  Council 
at  Asheville,  N.  C,  in  1894,  he  was  elected  the  first  National  Chaplain 
and  was  reelected  at  Omaha,  in  1895,  being  declared,  on  motion  of  Stephen 
Collins,  the  unanimous  choice  of  the  National  Body.  He  succeeded  J.  H. 
Zimmerman  as  Superintendent  of  the  Orphans'  Home  in  December  of 
1897,  and  continued  in  that  position  until  August  of  1898. 

Brother  Boblits  has  been  connected  with  some  very  important  legis- 
lation that  has  placed  the  Order  on  higher  grounds.  In  1890  he  offered  in 
the  National  Council  a  resolution  which  instructed  the  Ritual  Committee 
to  prepare  a  Ritual  for  the  Opening  and  Closing  of  the  National  Council 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  713 

and  the  State  Council,  Public  Installation  of  Officers  and  a  form  for  the 
reception  of  members  by  card.  He  also  moved  the  adoption  of  the  resolu- 
tion and  led  in  the  debate  which  made  it  impossible  for  a  manufacturer  or 
dealer  in  intoxicants  as  a  beverage  to  become  a  member  of  the  Order. 
Though  of  a  quiet  and  retiring  disposition,  Brother  Boblits  has 
rendered  splendid  service  to  the  Jr.  O.  U.  A.  M.;  and  for  his  devotion  to 
duty,  his  unswerving  Christian  character  and  the  noble  type  of  American 
manhood  he  has  ever  exhibited,  he  is  esteemed  by  his  fellow-patriots. 


GEO.  B.  NESBITT 

Formerly   Superintendent   National   Orphans'   Home. 

In  the  dark  days  of  the  Republic  Geo.  B.  Nesbitt  was  born,  at 
Temperanceville,  now  a  part  of  Pittsburg,  Pa.,  January  31,  1862.  His 
father  answered  the  call  of  his  country  early  in  the  Civil  War,  and  fell 
wounded  at  the  famous  battle  of  Bull  Run,  from  which  wounds  he  died 
when  the  subject  of  this  sketch  was  two  years  of  age.  On  the  establish- 
ment of  the  Soldier's  Orphans'  Schools,  George  was  sent  to  Phillipsburg 
Orphans'  School,  where  he  remained  until  the  building  was  burned,  when 
he  was  transferred  to  the  Orphans'  School  at  Uniontown,  Pa.,  from  which 
he  graduated  on  arriving  at  his  sixteenth  birthday.  Brother  Nesbitt's 
subsequent  life  has  been  a  varied  one,  having  learned  the  trade  of  ma- 
chinist, he  followed  that  occupation  for  18  years.  In  1897  he  was  elected 
Secretary  and  General  Agent  of  the  Associated  Hospitals  of  Pittsburg 
and  Allegheny,  which  position  he  resigned  to  accept  the  Superintendency 
of  the  National  Orphans'  Home  at  Tiffin,  Ohio,  where  he  remained  two 
years.  He  is  now  identified  with  the  American  Publishing  Co.,  being 
manager  of  the  corporation. 

Brother  Nesbitt  became  identified  with  the  Junior  Order  in  188G, 
being  a  charter  member  of  Welcome  Council,  No.  134,  Pennsylvania,  of 
which  he  has  ever  since  been  an  active  worker,  always  taking  a  con- 
spicuous part  in  every  movement  for  the  promulgation  of  the  Objects  and 
Principles  of  the  organization.  He  was  one  of  the  organizers  of  the 
Orphans'  Home  Picnic  Association  of  Allegheny  County  (Pa.),  and  was 
its  first  Chairman,  from  which  organization  more  han  $12,000  has  been 
raised  for  the  benefit  of  the  Home,  and  two  buildings,  the  greenhouse  and 
industrial  school,  are  part  of  the  practical  results.  For  two  terms  he 
served  his  Council  as  Representative  to  the  State  Council  and  was  a  member 
of  the  State  Legislative  Committee  for  two  years,  serving  as  its  Secretary. 
Locally  Brother  Nesbitt  took  part  in  the  great  contest  between  the  school 
directors  and  the  Jr.  O.  U.  A.  M.,  known  as  the  "Riverside  School  Case" 
at  which  time  the  nuns  were  driven  from  the  public  school  building  in  the 
ward  where  Welcome  Council  does  business.  As  Marshal  he  led  the  South- 
side  Division  of  the  Juniors  in  the  great  parade  on  Washington's  Birthday, 
February  22,  1891,  and  when  the  Councils  of  Pittsburg  were  making 
arrangements  to  entertain  the  National  Council  in  1897,  by  our  appoint- 
ment, Brother  Nesbitt  served  the  General  Committee  very  efficiently  as 
Chairman  of  the  Reception   Committee. 

Brother  Nesbitt  is  recognized  as  a  "  hustler,"  doing  with  all  his 
might  "  what  his  hand  findeth  to  do."     His  appointment  to  the  Orphans' 


714  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

Home  as  its  Superintendent  was  in  the  most  critical  hour  of  its  history, 
rebellion  within  the  Order  resulting  in  a  decreased  income  for  maintenance 
and  a  debt  of  $18,000  hanging  over  the  Home.  Assisted  by  his  wife,  who 
was  the  matron,  Brother  Nesbitt  entered  upon  his  work  with  renewed  zeal 
and  in  the  two  years  of  his  Superintendency  $14,000  of  the  debt  was  lifted 
and  the  Home  placed  on  a  firm  basis. 


AMOS  L.  CRAY 

Past  National  Councilor  and  Secretary  _;oard  of  Trustees 

of  the  Orphans'  Home. 

As  Past  State  Councilor  of  Indiana,  formerly  State  Council  Secretary 
of  same  state,  Past  National  Councilor  and  Secretary  of  Board  of  Trustees 
of  the  National  Orphans'  Home,  Brother  A  L.  Cray  has  attained  merited 
honors  at  the  hands  of  the  Jr.  O.  U.  A.  M.  The  writer  is  without  data  as 
to  the  date  and  place  of  his  birth,  etc.,  but  that  he  is  of  American  parent- 
age no  one  questions  and  that  less  than  fifty  years  ago  (1908)  he  first  saw 
the  light  of  day,  is  a  reasonable  presumption.  If  it  is  true  that  the  boy  is 
father  to  the  man,  then  it  is  unquestionably  a  fact  that  when  a  boy  he 
was  loved  and  esteemed  by  his  associates. 

It  is  as  a  Junior,  however,  that  we  would  place  upon  record  a  brief 
resume  of  Brother  Cray's  life.  When  National  Organizer  Robert  Ogle 
entered  the  State  of  Indiana  in  1891  one  of  the  first  he  came  in  touch 
with  was  Amos  L.  Cray  who  most  heartily  entered  into  cooperation  with 
him  in  the  organization  of  Jonesboro  Council  of  which  our  brother  became 
a  charter  member,  and  in  a  few  months  was  one  of  the  wheel-horses  in  the 
reorganization  of  the  State  Council  of  Indiana  of  which  he  was  elected 
Secretary,  the  date  of  the  reorganization  being  December  4,  1891.  Without 
opposition  Brother  Cray  was  each  year  reelected  to  the  same  position, 
until  1897  when  he  was  elected  State  Vice-Councilor  and  the  year  following 
was  exalted  to  the  Chair  of  State  Councilor.  He  had  scarcely  retired  from 
the  Board  of  Officers  when,  on  the  resignation  of  the  State  Council  Secre- 
tary, he  was  again  pressed  into  service  to  fill  the  position.  Declining  re- 
election, his  wishes  were  considered,  but  a  vacancy  again  occurred  in 
the  office  of  Secretary,  when,  as  an  "  all-around-man,"  ready  for  duty  when 
the  call  came,  he  was  placed  in  the  position  once  more  to  fill  the  unexpired 
term.  In  short,  throughout  the  history  of  the  reorganized  State  Council 
of  Indiana  Brother  Cray  has  beeu  its  leading  spirit  and  most  enthusiastic 
worker. 

But  for  Amos  L.  Cray  were  still  higher  and  greater  honors.  He 
was  early  in  his  Junior  career  admitted  to  the  National  Council  which 
body  at  its  session  held  at  Philadelphia  in  June,  1900,  unanimously  elected 
him  National  Vice-Councilor  and  at  Buffalo  in  1901  he  was  advanced  to 
the  position  of  National  Councilor,  and  at  Milwaukee  the  year  following 
presided  over  the  National  Body  with  gentleness  of  spirit  so  characteristic 
of  his  nature.  He  was  made  Chairman  of  the  Arbitration  Committee 
appointed  in  1902  to  hold  out  the  "  olive  branch  "  to  the  erring  members 
in  which  he  performed  his  part  in  what  proved  to  be  a  futile  and  hopeless 
mission. 

Brother  Cray  was  one  of  the  earliest  and  most  ardent  supporters  of 
the   National    Orphans'   Home   and   was   one  of   its   Trustees   early   in   its 


AMOS  L.  CRAY 
Past  National  Councilor  and  Trustee  of  Orphans'  Home 


d.  b.  Mcdonald 

President  Board  of  Trustees  Orphans'  Home 


A.  H.  LESLIE 

Past  State  Councilor  of  Pennsylvania, 
Trustee  Orphans'  Home 


I   MTED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  715 

history.  As  soon  as  lie  laid  aside  the  vestments  of  official  authority  as 
incumbent  upon  him  on  the  Board  of  National  Officers,  he  was  again 
placed  upon  the  Board  of  Trustees  of  the  Home  in  which  office  he  has 
served  the  Order  most  efficiently  and  is  to-day  (1908)  the  Secretary  of 
the  Board  to  which  he  gives  his  time  without  a  penny's  remuneration  for 
which  the  Order  of  American  Mechanics  should  be  grateful. 

In  the  unfolding  of  the  real  life  of  our  esteemed  brother  and 
friend,  the  words  of  the  poet  give  the  truest  expression: 

"  I  live  for  those  who  love  me, 

Whose  hearts  are  kind  and  true; 
For  the  heaven  that  smiles  above  me 

And  awaits  my  spirit  too. 
For  the  cause  that  lacks  assistance, 
For  the  wrongs  that  need  resistance, 
For  the  future  in  the  distance, 

For  the  good  that  I  can  do." 

d.  b.  Mcdonald 

President    Board    of  Trustees,    National    Orphans'    Home. 

Although  but  seldom  heard  upon  the  floor  of  the  National  Council, 
yet  for  his  sterling  integrity,  his  unswerving  loyalty  to  the  Order  and 
pleasing  demeanor,  Duncan  B.  McDonald,  of  Urbana,  Ohio,  Past  National 
representative  and  member  of  the  Board  of  Trustees  of  the  National 
Orphans'  Home,  stands  high  in  the  estimation  of  his  brethren;  which  fact 
is  evidenced  by  his  reappointment  for  five  years  on  the  Orphans'  Home 
Board,  where,  as  a  member  and  as  its  President,  his  work  and  administra- 
tion gave  utmost  satisfaction.  And  it  is  worthy  to  note  that  the  reap- 
pointment came  unsolicited  upon  his  part,  but  was  made  solely  on  his 
merits  and  most  excellent  record  in  that  most  responsible  position  in  the 
gift  of  the  Order. 

Brother  McDonald  has  lived  in  Ohio  all  his  life  and  was  reared  and 
educated  in  Urbana,  where  he  has  always  made  his  home.  His  trend  of 
life  turning  towards  a  business  career,  he  got  his  first  lesson  in  mercantile 
life  in  the  store  of  his  father.  For  twenty-five  years,  however,  he  has  been 
engaged  in  the  grocery  business  under  the  firm  title  of  Houtz  &  McDonald, 
and  his   career  in  business-life  has   been  congenial  as   well   as   successful. 

The  call  of  his  country  for  men  to  fill  the  depleted  ranks  of  the 
Northern  army  was  heard  by  Brother  McDonald,  when  less  than  twenty 
years  of  age,  in  the  year  of  1864,  when  he  enlisted  in  the  134th  Regiment, 
Ohio  Volunteer  Infantry,  and  served  until  the  expiration  of  his  enlistment. 
He  wears  the  insigna  upon  the  lapel  of  his  coat  with  a   soldier's  pride. 

The  present  day  tendency  to  betray  the  trust  in  official  capacity, 
especially  where  public  monies  are  handled,  makes  the  public  cautious 
into  whose  hands  they  place  such  responsibility.  In  looking  about  for  a 
man  of  untarnished  reputation  and  unimpeachable  character  to  serve  as 
County  Treasurer  of  Champaign  County,  Ohio,  the  party  managers  selected 
Brother  McDonald  for  the  office.  And  as  a  result  of  the  election,  he  is 
now  filling,  with  complete  satisfaction,  this  important  place  of  trust  and 
responsibility. 


716  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

Notwithstanding  his  many  duties  as  a  business  man  and  county 
official,  Brother  McDonald  for  eighteen  years  has  been  active  in  the  affairs 
of  the  Jr.  O.  U.  A.  M.,  having  served  in  all  the  chairs  of  his  Council, 
Mad  River,  No.  56,  of  Urbana,  being  representative  to  the  State  Council 
and  also  representative  to  the  National  Council  for  several  years,  and  for 
five  years,  as  above  stated,  has  been  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Trustees 
of  the  National  Orphans'  Home,  to  which  he  has  just  been  reappointed, 
hi3  term  to  expire  in  1912.  No  better  representative  of  the  Order  could 
have  been  placed  in  charge  of  the  Order's  great  institution  than  he;  kind 
and  gentle  in  his  disposition,  the  children  of  the  Home  hail  with  exceeding 
gladness  his  every  visit. 

A.  H.  LESLIE 

Past   State  Councilor  of  Pennsylvania. 

A.  H.  Leslie  is  a  product  of  Pennsylvania,  entering  upon  life  in 
Westmoreland  County,  January  5,  1853.  His  father  dying  in  1867,  the 
mother  with  her  six  boys  moved  to  Pittsburg,  Pa.,  where  the  subject  of 
this  sketch  served  as  a  carpenter's  apprentice  from  1868  to  1871;  then 
for  four  years  was  employed  as  a  railroad  man  from  brakeman  to  con- 
ductor. Entering  the  insurance  business  in  1S75,  Brother  Leslie  took  an 
active  part  in  municipal  affairs  as  well  as  politics,  and  being  a  Republican, 
he  entered  the  race  for  Alderman  in  the  City  of  Pittsburg  in  1880,  and  Avas 
elected.  He  was  reelected  in  1885,  1890,  and  1895,  and  at  the  same  time 
continued  the  real  estate  and  insurance  business,  until  August  1,  1896, 
when  he  was  appointed  Superintendent  of  Police  of  Pittsburg,  and  later 
was  made  Director  of  Public  Safety,  in  which  position  he  served  very 
acceptably  until  a  change  of  administration  caused  his  removal.  However, 
a  year  or  two  subsequent  he  was  elected  Superintendent  of  the  Allegheny 
Workhouse  which  position  he  still  holds.  In  all  these  offices  Brother  Leslie 
gave  the  people  a  clean  administration. 

As  a  Junior,  Brother  Leslie  has  long  been  well  and  favorably  known, 
having  united  with  Bainbridge  Council,  No.  128,  of  Pennsylvania,  May  28, 
1882,  and  has  held  nearly  all  the  offices  the  Council  could  confer  upon 
him.  When  the  National  Council  met  at  Pittsburg,  Pa.,  in  1897,  Brother 
Leslie  was  one  of  the  most  active  workers,  and  on  account  of  his  influence 
and  standing,  was  made  the  Chairman  of  the  Finance  Committee,  one  of 
the  most  important  committees,  in  preparing  for  the  reception  of  the 
National  Body  and  the  entertainment  of  same;  and  when  the  General 
Committee  selected  the  Chief  Marshal  for  the  great  parade,  Brother  Leslie 
was  elected  over  one  of  the  leading  county  officials,  and  proudly  he  rode 
at  the  head  of  the  largest  parade  of  Juniors  that  ever  marched  through 
the  streets  of  the  twin-cities. 

Brother  Leslie  was  admitted  to  the  State  Council  of  Pennsylvania 
about  1896  and  has  been  an  active  member  of  the  body,  having  been 
elected  a  Representative  to  the  National  Council,  and  subsequently  was 
appointed  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Trustees  of  the  National  Orphans' 
Home,  his  term  thereon  to  expire  in  1909.  At  the  session  of  the  State 
Council  in  1904  he  was  elected  State  Vice-Councilor  and  the  year  subse- 
uent  was  elected  State  Councilor.  As  an  officer  of  the  State  Council  he 
has   shown  the  same  tireless   energy  that  has   characterized  his  work   ir 


FRANK  W.  PIERSON 
Past  National  Councilor,  Trustee  Orphans'  Home 


H.  E.  HOWSE  CHAS.   LAWRENCE 

Past  National  Representative  of  Tennessee,  Author  Original  Orphans'   Home  Resolution 

Trustee  Orphans'  Home 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  717 

every  position  to  which  he  has  been  called,  giving  much  of  his  time  to 
visitations  throughout  liis  jurisdiction.  He  is  a  typical  Junior,  having 
unbounded  faith  in  the  doctrines  and  principles  of  the  Order  with  which 
he  is  in  hearty  accord. 

Brother  Leslie  is  also  a  member  of  other  fraternal  organizations, 
prominently  connected  with  the  Order  of  Good  Templars,  having  served 
in  the  highest  position  of  the  state  organization  and  is  a  firm  believer  in 
total  abstinence  and  sobriety.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church  and  for  years  was  the  Superintendent  of  one  of  the  largest 
Sunday  Schools  in  the  denomination.  Pleasant  and  agreeable  in  manner, 
he  has  made  a  success  in  every  undertaking  of  life  and  has  won  for 
himself,  by  personal  efforts,  the  honors  that  thick  and  fast  have  fallen 
upon  him. 

FRANK   W.   PIERSON 

Past  National  Councilor  and  Member  of  the  Board 

of  Trustees,   Orphans'   Home. 

At  the  reorganization  of  the  State  Council  of  Delaware  in  1893, 
one  of  the  most  conspicuous  of  the  charter  members  was  Frank  W. 
Pierson,  who  was  elected  State  Councilor  of  the  new  organization,  and 
by  his  enthusiasm  set  the  pace  for  all  the  State  Councilors  who  in  their 
turn  succeeded  to  the  highest  position  in  the  State  Body.  When  he  laid 
aside  the  vestments  of  official  authority  he  did  not  allow  himself  to  be 
placed  "  on  the  shelf "  for  dust  to  gather  upon  him,  but  as  the  foremost 
of  Delaware's  Juniors  he  kept  at  the  front  working  with  his  copatriots  in 
the  cause  of  Virtue,  Liberty  and  Patriotism. 

Brother  Pierson  represented  his  State  Council  in  the  Supreme  Body 
and  when  the  leaders  of  the  Order  were  casting  about  for  a  strong  candi- 
date for  National  Vice-Councilor,  they  looked  toward  little  Delaware 
and  found  their  man,  and  when  the  session  of  the  National  Council 
convened  at  Pittsburg,  in  1897,  notwithstanding  there  was  sharp  rivalry 
for  offices,  Brother  Pierson's  personnel  and  standing  was  so  powerful  that 
the  opposition  party  placed  no  candidate  in  the  field  and  he  was  unani- 
mously elected  and  with  the  same  unanimity  he  was  promoted  National 
Councilor  at  Louisville,  in  1898.  When  the  National  Council  met  at  Minne- 
apolis in  1899  that  portion  of  the  body  that  subsequently  placed  themselves 
outside  the  Order  by  their  insubordination  came  with  "  drawn  swords " 
to  rend  and  destroy.  It  was  fortunate  for  the  Order  that  the  National 
Body  had  in  the  Chair  F.  W.  Pierson  who  stood  undaunted  in  the  crisis 
of  the  organization  and  with  a  firm  hand  held  in  check  the  would-be 
insurgents.  The  organization  is  to  be  congratulated  that  during  those 
trying  years  there  were  at  the  head  of  the  Supreme  Body  men  of  nerve 
and  iron  who  stood  for  regularity  and  loyalty. 

Since  stepping  aside  from  the  official  duties  incumbent  on  him  as 
one  of  the  Board  of  Officers  of  the  National  Body,  Brother  Pierson  found 
his  niche  by  being  appointed  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Trustees  of  the 
National  Orphans'  Home,  where  he  has  served  as  President  of  the  Board, 
but  now  (1908)  is  Treasurer.  Here  his  business  qualifications  and  con- 
servative nature  have  found  a  great  field,  and  to  him,  as  well  as  to  the 
entire  Board,  the  Order  is  indebted  for  the  splendid  condition  of  thin 
great  institution. 


718  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

Outside  of  his  work  in  the  Jr.  0.  U.  A.  M.  we  know  but  little  of 
this  stalwarth  Junior.  A  very  modest  man  is  Brother  Pierson  who 
courts  no  publicity;  but  he  is  known  by  his  work  and  loved  for  his 
honesty  and  sincerity.  He  is  a  quiet  man,  silent  and  unassuming. 
However,  Past  National  Councilor  Pierson  belongs  to  a  class  of  men 
who  need  opposition  or  a  crisis  to  bring  their  latent  powers  into  action. 
His  power  of  silence  and  reticence  are  remarkable,  at  times  suggesting 
the  remark  made  of  Von  Moltke  that  he  was  "  silent  in  seven  languages, 
but  when  he  broke  silence  it  was  demonstrated  that  he  had  done  much 
thinking."  Such  was  Pierson  when  the  crisis  at  Minneapolis  came  it 
broke  into  full  play,  revealing  the  deep  indwelling  powers  of  a  soul  and 
mind  that  knew  how  to  cope  with  a  great  subject. 

HON.  HILARY  E.  HOWSE 

Past   National   Representative   from  Tennessee,  and   Member  Board  of 

Trustees  National  Orphans'  Home. 

A  typical  Southerner,  a  loyal  Junior,  an  ardent  patriot,  standing 
four-square  on  every  fundamental  doctrine  of  the  Order, — is  a  fitting 
prelude  in  sketching  the  life  of  Hilary  E.  Howse,  of  Nashville,  Tenn. 
The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  a  farmers'  son,  born  in  Rutherford 
County,  Tennessee,  January  28,  1866,  and  passed  his  childhood  and  early 
manhood  days  amid  the  quiet  surroundings  of  agricultural  life.  But 
the  lowing  of  herds,  the  neigh  of  the  horse  or  the  cackle  of  the  ever- 
present  hen,  were  not  adequate  to  satisfy  the  pent-up  aspirations  which 
welled  up  in  the  heart  of  young  Howse;  and  like  a  young  eagle  dragging 
at  his  chains,  the  impetuous  spirit  of  our  brother  was  not  content  with 
the  circumscribed  sphere  of  his  life,  hence,  when  eighteen  years  of  age 
he  leaped  the  environments  that  held  him  and  landed  in  the  bustling 
City  of  Nashville,  Tenn.,  and  entered  a  business  career,  in  which  he  has 
been  preeminently  successful;  his  firm  being  numbered  among  the 
principal  houses  of  his  home  city.  But  a  business  life  alone  could  not 
gratify  fully  the  aspirations  of  the  young  merchant,  hence  he  entered  the 
exciting  arena  of  politics,  and  such  was  his  standing  and  prominence  in 
his  party,  that  for  six  years  he  served  as  County  Commissioner  and  for 
two  years  served  in  the  State  Senate,  from  the  largest  county  of  the  state, 
where  he  represented  well  both  his  state  and  constituency. 

Brother  Howse's  affiliation  with  the  Jr.  O.  U.  A.  M.  began  in  1894, 
when  he  became  a  charter  member  of  Goodwill  Council  and  at  the  institu- 
tion of  the  State  Council  of  Tennessee  in  1896  he  was  one  of  the  original 
members.  The  story  of  Tennessee  Juniorism  is  largely  the  story  of 
Brother  Howse's  connection  therewith.  He  espoused  with  all  the  intensity 
of  his  nature,  the  principles  of  the  Order,  and  linking  arms  with  his  co- 
patriot,  Brother  Gowan,  these  two  brothers  became  the  wheel-horses  of  the 
organization.  Brother  Howse  served  for  several  years  in  the  National 
Council  as  Representative,  or  as  a  member  of  some  committee,  and  his 
state  was  honored  in  his  being  appointed  in  1907  to  membership  on  the 
Board  of  Trustees  of  the  National  Orphans'  Home,  in  which  position  his 
business   qualifications  and  red-hot  zeal   will  find  full  vent.     If  we  were 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  719 

seeking  a   sentiment  that  fittingly   represents  our   brother   and   friend,   it 
would  be  the  words  of  the  poet: 

"  We  live  in  thoughts,  not  in  years, 
In  feelings,  not  in  figures  on  a  dial. 
We  should  count  time  by  heart-throbs,  he  most  lives, 
Who  feels  the  deepest,  thinks  the  noblest,  acts  the  best." 


WILLIAM  EDGAR  FAISON 

Past  National  Councilor,  and  Editor  of  The  American. 

One  of  the  most  conspicuous  figures  in  the  ranks  of  the  Jr.  O.  U.  A.  M. 
of  the  Old  North  State  and  one  of  its  earliest  and  most  enthusiastic 
promoters  in  that  jurisdiction  is  Past  National  Councilor  W.  E.  Faison, 
of  Raleigh,  North  Carolina.  Brother  Faison  was  born  in  the  City  of 
Raleigh,  December  8,  1869.  After  graduating  from  the  public  schools 
he  entered  a  printing  establishment  as  an  apprentice  and  for  years  followed 
that  trade,  and  subsequently  conducted  a  job  and  printing  business  of  his 
own.  In  1894  he  was  appointed  Assistant  Commissioner  of  Labor  and 
Printing  for  the  State  of  North  Carolina  in  which  office  he  continued 
until  1904,  when  he  resigned  in  order  to  devote  all  his  time  to  the  duties 
of  National  Councilor. 

Brother  Faison  became  a  charter  member  of  Baleigh  Council,  No.  1, 
at  its  reorganization  February  3,  1893,  at  which  time  he  was  elected 
Vice-Councilor  and  advanced  to  the  position  of  Councilor  in  July,  fol- 
lowing. In  December  of  same  year  he  was  sent  as  a  Representative  to 
the  State  Council  and  was  admitted  to  that  body  at  its  session  held  at 
Winston  in  1894,  at  which  session  he  was  elected  State  Council  Secretary, 
which  office  he  held  until  1896  when  he  declined  reelection.  At  tha 
session  of  the  State  Council  in  1897  he  was  elected  State  Vice-Councilor 
and  succeeded  to  the  office  of  State  Councilor  the  year  following,  and  at 
the  close  of  his  term  was  elected  National  Representative  for  a  term  of 
five  years.  The  records  of  the  State  Council  of  North  Carolina  tell  the 
story  of  Brother  Faison's  energetic  official  life;  how  the  Order  swept 
forward  under  his  matchless  leadership  until  from  the  mountains  to  the 
sea  the  principles  of  the  Jr.  O.  U.  A.  M.  were  implanted  deeply  and 
firmly  in  thousands  of  homes  and  hearts. 

The  State  Council  of  North  Carolina,  at  its  session  in  1903,  unani- 
mously endorsed  Brother  Faison  as  a  candidate  for  National  Vice-Councilor, 
and  at  San  Francisco,  same  year,  he  was  placed  in  that  position.  His 
record  as  a  member  of  the  National  Board  of  Officers  is  without  a  parallel. 
When  National  Vice-Councilor,  National  Councilor  Cooper's  "  slogan " 
was  for  an  increase  of  15,000,  and  the  number  was  nearly  reached.  When 
National  Councilor  he  surrendered  his  life  position  that  he  might  devote 
all  his  time  to  the  Order,  and  such  was  his  enthusiasm,  that  when  ho 
"  gave  an  account  of  his  stewardship,"  his  request  for  an  increase  of  a 
like  number  was  more  than  realized.  During  the  two  years  he  served  on 
the  Board  as  its  Junior  member  and  under  National  Councilor  Gilcreast's 
leadership  the  Order  gained  more  than  30,000  members,  making  in  all,  in 
the  four  years  he  was  a  member  of  the  Board,  a  gain  of  more  than  60,000 
members.     Never   in  the  history  of  the  Order  was  such  a  record  made. 


720  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

The  writer  is  cognizant  of  the  fact  that  our  brother  desires  no  pane- 
gyric— no  praise  for  what  he  has  honestly  and  conscientiously  done  for 
the  glory  of  Juniorism.  Unassuming  and  reticent,  Brother  Faison  has 
but  little  to  say  upon  the  floor  of  the  National  Council.  He  is  not  as 
eloquent  as  others  in  the  National  Council,  but  in  the  van  of  the  marching 
hosts  of  Junior  patriots  can  always  be  found  our  brother,  tried  and  true, 
ever  on  the  "  firing  line."  He  is  cool  and  deliberate,  but  when  once 
committed  to  a  cause  he  is  as  unchangeable  as  he  is  fearless  and  cour- 
ageous. He  may  not  win  his  way  so  quickly  as  some  into  the  sympathies 
of  men;  but  what  he  wins  he  holds.  He  puts  emphasis  on  a  specialty  and 
no  one  can  change  or  modify  him;  but  what  he  stands  for  generally  has 
right  at  its  roots.  In  short,  Brother  Faison  is  an  extremely  modest  man. 
He  is  no  house-top  or  street-corner  proclaimer  of  his  own  virtues  or  work, 
but  quietly  he  has  assisted  in  the  building  of  the  Junior  temple,  a  work- 
man that  "  needeth  not  be  ashamed." 

On  the  retirement  of  Brother  Faison  from  the  National  Board  of 
Officers  at  Boston  in  1907,  he  was  appointed  Chairman  of  the  National 
Legislative  Committee,  which  appointment,  however,  he  declined.  On  Feb- 
ruary 15,  1908,  he  was  appointed  Editor  and  Manager  of  The  American 
which  position  he  now  holds.  He  is  also  prominently  affiliated  with  nearly 
all  the  fraternal  societies;  being  Past  Master  of  Masons,  Past  High  Priest 
of  the  Royal  Arch  Chapter,  Past  Eminent  Commander  of  Knights  Templar 
and  a  member  of  the  Shrine. 


ROBERT  OGLE 
Past   National    Councilor   from   the   State   of  Maryland. 

One  of  the  "  old  guard,"  a  "  tower  of  strength "  in  the  Junior 
Order,  is'  Robert  Ogle,  of  Baltimore,  Md.  Our  brother  started  on  life's 
journey  in  the  city  that  has  been  his  home  ever  since,  April  13,  1855; 
and,  although,  since  the  "  passing  "  of  the  honored  Sohl,  he  is  designated 
as  the  "  Nestor  "  of  Maryland  Juniorism,  Brother  Ogle  is  far  from  being 
old — in  fact,  he  is  as  much  one  of  the  "  boys  "  to-day  as  he  was  twenty 
years  ago.  To  write  the  story  of  Brother  Ogle's  life  in  the  Order  cannot 
be  done  in  this  sketch — it  is  so  replete  with  work  and  tireless  activity. 
He  united  with  Baltimore  Council,  No.  1,  the  Mother  Council  of  Maryland, 
on  February  3,  1872,  and  from  the  hour  he  entered  the  portals  of  the 
organization  he  has  been  one  of  Maryland's  most  active  and  enthusiastic 
members.  He  soon  received  all  the  honors  at  the  hands  of  his  brethren, 
and  at  the  session  of  the  State  Council,  in  January  of  1874,  he  was 
admitted  a  member,  being  a  representative  of  his  Council.  Two  years 
later,  Brother  Ogle  was  admitted  to  the  National  Council  as  a  representa- 
tive of  Maryland,  and  attended  the  session  for  the  first  time,  held  at 
Philadelphia  in  July,  1876.  That  body  in  1880,  at  its  session,  held  in 
Biehmond,  Va.,  honored  itself  by  electing  him  National  Vice-Councilor, 
and  the  following  year  placed  him  at  the  head  of  the  National  organization. 
Brother  Ogle's  term  was  served  prior  to  the  great  "  boom "  in  the 
Order,  yet  his  work  was  as  "  bread  cast  upon  the  waters  to  be  seen  many 
days  hence."  He  presided  at  the  session  held  at  New  York  City,  which 
was  attended  by  forty  representatives,  the  largest  number  that  had  ever 


ROBERT  OGLE 
Past  National  Councilor  from  Maryland 


JAMES  CRANSTON 
Past  National  Councilor  from  Pennsylvania 


Dr.  J.   L.  COOPER 
Past  National  Councilor,  Chief  Medical  Ex- 
aminer Beneficiary  Degree 


JOSEPH  POWELL 
Past  National  Councilor  from 
Colorado 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  721 

gathered  at  a  meeting  of  the  Supreme  Body.  His  report  to  the  National 
Council  was  especially  well  prepared,  in  which,  couched  in  moat  befitting 
terms,  he  alluded  to  the  death  of  President  Garfield.  Brother  Ogle  lived 
ahead  of  his  time,  as  his  suggestion,  submitted  at  that  session  of  1882, 
that  the  National  Council  meet  biennially,  was  defeated;  but  our  dear 
brother  lived  to  see  his  recommendation  carried  out  by  vote  of  the 
Supreme  Body  at  St.  Louis  in  1904.  Closing  his  term  with  a  total  mem- 
bership of  9,500,  he  also  has  lived  to  see  the  Order  reach  185,000 
in  membership,  notwithstanding  the  depletion  that  came  by  the  revolt 
of  1899. 

When  the  National  Council  in  1891  created  the  position  of  National 
Organizer,  Brother  Ogle  was  selected  as  the  proper  person  to  enter  the 
great  field,  and  for  five  months  he  gave  his  time  to  the  work  of  organizing 
and  instituting  the  State  Council  of  Indiana,  as  well  as  doing  other  work 
during  that  time.  He  then  resigned  and  returned  to  his  home  state, 
where  he  served  as  State  Council  Secretary  for  a  year  and  a  half.  This 
position  he  then  resigned,  having  been  elected  for  the  term  of  six  years 
to  the  office  of  Clerk  of  the  Supreme  Court  of  the  City  of  Baltimore,  one 
of  the  most  important  offices  in  the  gift  of  Maryland's  suffrage.  At  the 
end  of  his  term  he  was  reelected  by  a  greatly  inci'eased  majority  for  six 
years. 

Brother  Ogle  is  a  leader  not  a  "  boss  " — true  as  steel  to  his  friends, 
and  a  man  of  most  acute  discernment  as  to  matter  of  judgment.  Loyal 
to  the  core,  he  has  stood  for  the  right  in  every  contest  in  the  Order, 
and  his  opinion  as  well  as  voice  upon  the  floor  of  the  State  and  National 
Council,  has  great  weight  with  his  brethren.  Busy  man  as  he  is,  yet 
out  from  his  great  heart  gushes  most  ardent  love  for  the  principles  of 
the  organization  which  he  has  cherished  all  his  life.  In  his  family,  he  is 
devoted  and  kind;  as  a  person  of  affairs,  he  stands  high  with  all  classes; 
as  a  man,  there  is  none  more  manly,  and  as  a  brother,  none  more 
fraternal. 


JAMES  CRANSTON 
Past    National    Councilor    from    Pennsylvania. 

In  the  forefront  of  the  marvelous  advance  of  the  Junior  Order  that 
marked  its  history  from  1890  to  1894,  was  one  of  the  Order's  foremost 
men, — strong,  active,  enthusiastic — James  Cranston  of  Pennsylvania. 
While  in  these  later  years,  owing  to  business  cares,  he  has  taken  but  a 
small  part  in  the  work  of  the  organization,  yet  to  those  who  knew  him 
in  his  prime  there  come  the  most  kindly  remembrances  of  his  great  love 
and  devotion  to  the  Order. 

We  are  not  in  possession  of  data  relative  to  his  earlier  years  in 
the  Order,  the  records  show  that  he  was  admitted  to  the  State  Council 
of  Pennsylvania  in  1885,  and  at  the  session  of  that  body  in  1889,  he 
was  elected  National  Representative  and  was  admitted  to  the  Supreme 
Body  of  the  Order  at  Chicago,  Illinois,  in  1890.  Brother  Cranston  at  that 
time,  possessed  of  a  superb  manhood,  deeply  zealous  in  the  dissemination 
of  Junior  doctrine,  soon  won  recognition  and  at  the  session  of  the  National 
Council  at  Cleveland,  Ohio,  in  1891,  he  was  elected  National  Vice-Councilor, 

46 


722  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

and  succeeded  to  the  Chair  of  National  Councilor  in  1892.  During  his 
administration  Brother  Cranston  took  high  ground  on  all  of  the  great 
questions  of  the  day,  while  he  expounded  and  encouraged  on  every  hand 
practical  patriotism  rather  than  theoretical  patriotism.  On  the  great 
issues  that  came  before  the  Order  he  stood  four-square  and  flat-footed,  ever 
on  the  alert  to  expose  the  machinations  of  the  enemies  of  our  common 
country. 

It  was  during  his  administration,  as  a  member  of  the  National  Board 
of  Officers,  that  the  great  flood  swept  down  upon  Johnstown,  Pa.  Calling 
a  meeting  of  the  members  of  the  Order,  he,  with  a  committee,  were  chosen 
to  proceed  with  all  possible  dispatch  to  the  stricken  city  to  render 
assistance  to  those  of  the  Order  who  may  have  suffered  in  that  great 
calamity,  and  they  were  the  first  relief  committee  to  reach  the  scene  of 
any  fraternal  organization.  After  securing  headquarters  for  the  issuing 
of  supplies  he  left  the  distribution  in  tbe  hands  of  the  committee  which 
was  in  charge  of  Brother  Collins. 

Brother  Cranston  is  a  man  of  whom  it  can  be  said,  that  the  more 
one  sees  of  him  the  more  you  esteem  him;  the  more  you  look  into  his 
face  and  take  him  by  the  hand,  the  more  one  is  impressed  that  he  is 
a  true  and  manly  brother,  who  is  actuated  in  all  his  work  by  a  sense  of 
duty  as  well  as  a  sense  of  what  is  right.  When  he  was  in  the  arena  of 
active  work  in  the  Order  wherein  his  brethren  came  in  close  touch  with 
his  everyday  life,  it  was  observed  that  that  life  was  full  of  little,  nameless 
unremembered  acts  of  kindness,  while  his  love  for  his  fellow-man  was  an 
ardent  feature  of  his  being;  and  whatever  sins  of  omission  or  commission 
the  record  of  his  life  may  reveal,  yet  when  the  Recording  Angel  shall 
open  the  Great  Book  on  the  Great  Day  he  will  find  in  James  Cranston's 
career  the  milk  of  human  kindness  and  most  gracious  love  for  his  fellows: 


"  Abou  Ben  Adhem   (may  his  tribe  increase) 
Awoke  one  night  from  a  deep  dream  of  peace 
And  saw,  within  the  moonlight  in  his  room, 
Making   it   rich   and   like   a   lily   in   bloom, 
An  angel,  writing  in  a  book  of  gold. 
Exceeding  peace  had  made  Ben  Adhem  bold, 
And  to  the  presence  in  the  room  he  said: 

'What  writest  thou?'     The  vision  raised  its  head, 
And,  with  a  look  made  of  all  sweet  accord, 
Answered,  '  The  names  of  those  who  love  the  Lord.' 

'And  is  mine  one?'  said  Abou.     'Nay;  not  so,' 
Replied  the  angel.     Abou  spoke  more  low, 
But  cheerily  still  and  said,  '  I  pray  thee,  then, 
Write  me  as  one  that  loves  his  fellow-men.' 
The  Angel  wrote,  and  vanished.     The  next  night 
It  came  again  with  a  great  wakening  light 
And  showed  the  names  whom  love  of  God  had  blessed, 
And  lo!  Ben  Adhem's  name  led  all  the  rest." 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  723 

JOHN  G.  A.  RICHTER 
Past   National   Councilor  and    State  Council    Secretary   of   Ohio. 

Sprung  from  the  race  that  gave  the  world  Luther,  Goethe,  Humboldt 
and  Bismarck,  came  John  Gustav  Adolph  Richter,  Past  National  Councilor 
and  State  Council  Secretary  of  Ohio.  His  parents  came  from  Bavaria,  the 
father  coming  to  this  country  in  1851,  and  the  mother  three  years  later, 
and  upon  entering  wedlock,  they  settled  in  Allegheny  City,  Pennsylvania, 
where,  on  April  30,  1802,  the  subject  of  this  sketch  was  born.  When  the 
little  "  Dutch "  baby  first  saw  the  light  of  day,  the  nation  was  in  the 
throes  of  Civil  War,  and  shortly  after  the  birth  of  his  son,  the  father 
enlisted  in  the  defense  of  his  adopted  country  and  fought  throughout  the 
war,  falling,  severely  wounded,  in  front  of  Petersburg,  nine  days  before 
the  surrender  of  General  Lee  at  Appomattox. 

In  the  meantime,  John  Gustav  was  learning  to  think  and  speak  in 
German,  then  in  English.  He  entered  the  public  schools  where  he  re- 
mained until,  from  force  of  circumstances,  he  was  compelled  to  go  to 
work  to  assist  in  the  care  of  the  family;  but  a  year  later  he  entered 
the  German  Reformed  School  where  he  was  to  receive  German  instruction. 
After  a  year  in  the  latter  institution,  he  again  turned  to  some  trade,  this 
time  he  chose  the  baker  trade,  but  soon  tiring  of  the  work,  he  began  a 
three-year's  apprenticeship  at  the  blacksmith's  trade,  preferring  the  coal 
and  iron  to  sugar  and  flour.  Removing  to  Canton,  Ohio,  in  1881,  Brother 
Richter  entered  the  firm  of  Elbel  &  Co.,  saddlery  hardward  manufacturers, 
where,  for  16  years  he  labored  until  compelled  to  seek  some  other  occupa- 
tion on  account  of  ill  health. 

These  hard,  self-sacrificing  years  from  childhood  were  not  lost 
years,  however,  though  the  tasks  were  heavy  and  the  work  of  life  exacting, 
yet  they  combined  to  shape  the  body  and  develop  the  brain  of  the  man 
who  was  to  take  so  prominent  a  part  in  shaping  the  policy  of  the  Junior 
Order  United  American  Mechanics. 

It  is  as  a  Junior,  however,  that  John  G.  A.  Richter  is  best  known, 
not  only  in  his  own  state,  but  throughout  the  Union.  His  attention  to 
the  Order  having  been  drawn,  while  a  resident  of  Allegheny  City,  and  his 
pure  German  blood  readily  imbibing  its  patriotic  sentiments,  in  the 
latter  part  of  1887,  he  proceeded  to  organize  a  Council  in  his  home  town, 
himself  heading  the  list  of  42  charter  members,  and  on  January  14,  1888, 
it  was  duly  instituted  under  the  name  of  Washington  Council,  No.  12, 
and  he  was  chosen  its  first  Councilor.  Under  his  leadership,  the  Council 
made  remarkable  advance,  having,  at  the  end  of  three  months,  130  members. 

Brother  Richter  represented  his  Council  at  the  session  of  the  State 
Council  that  was  held  at  Dennison,  in  May,  1888,  and  at  a  special  session 
held  in  November,  so  marked  was  his  enthusiasm  and  to  such  an  extent 
did  he  enter  into  the  confidence  of  his  brethren,  that  he  was  elected  to 
fill  the  unexpired  term  of  National  Representative,  in  which  capacity  he 
attended  the  sessions  of  the  National  Council  at  Haverhill,  Massachusetts, 
in  1889;  Chicago,  Illinois,  in  1800;  and  Cleveland,  Ohio,  in  1891.  His  own 
State  Council  elected  him  State  Vice-Councilor  at  the  session  held  at 
Canton,  in  1890,  and  one  year  thereafter,  he  was  elevated  to  the  Chair  of 
State  Councilor.  During  his  term  as  State  Councilor,  125  Councils  were 
instituted  and  the  membership  was  largely  increased,  and  the  Order  in 
Ohio  was  strongly  entrenched. 


724  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

Honors,  however,  and  a  wider  field  of  usefulness  came  to  our  brother. 
When  the  National  Council  convened  in  Detroit,  Michigan,  in  1893,  he 
was  elected  National  Vice-Councilor,  and  the  following  year,  was  selected 
National  Councilor.  Coming  at  a  time  when  the  whole  land  was  in  the 
grip  of  a  great  business  depression,  with  idle  thousands  everywhere,  the 
prospect  for  an  advance  of  the  Order  were  not  at  all  bright;  but  with 
his  old-time  zeal,  Brother  Richter  carried  forward  the  work  of  the 
organization,  and  when  the  time  came  for  him  to  lay  down  the  gavel  of 
authority,  in  1895,  201  new  Councils  had  been  instituted  and  nearly 
10.000  members  enrolled  under  the  banner  of  the  Junior  Order.  State 
Councils  had  been  instituted  in  the  District  of  Columbia,  Tennessee,  South 
Carolina,  Minnesota,  Rhode  Island  and  Connecticut,  under  his  administra- 
tion, while  the  Order  for  the  first  time  found  a  foot-hold  in  Maine,  Idaho, 
Mississippi,  Wyoming  and  Montana.  It  was  during  Brother  Richter's 
term  as  National  Councilor,  that  the  Order's  crowning  glory — the  found- 
ing and  establishment  of  the  National  Orphans'  Home — was  consummated. 

Brother  Richter's  State  Council  had  still  more  honors  as  well  as  duties 
to  confer  upon  him.  Having  served  for  some  years  as  assistant  secretary 
in  the  State  Council,  in  1900  he  was  elected  to  succeed  Brother  J.  A. 
Bliss,  as  Secretary  of  the  State  Council,  and  was  unanimously  reelected 
in  1905  for  the  usual  term  of  five  years  and  still  holds  the  position  (1907). 

As  a  member  of  other  secret  organizations,  Brother  Richter  has  been 
equally  honored.  He  became  a  charter  member  of  Mollie  Pitcher  Council, 
No.  10,  Daughters  of  America,  and  was  its  first  Councilor.  He  is  Past 
Master  of  Wm.  McKinley  Lodge,  No.  431,  F.  &  A.  M.;  Past  High  Priest 
of  Canton  Chapter,  R.  A.  M.;  Past  T.  I.  M.  of  Canton  Council,  No.  35, 
R.  &  S.  M.,  and  Past  Chancellor  of  Lily  Lodge,  No.  362,  Knights  of  Pythias. 
Politically,  he  had  the  distinction  of  being  defeated  for  Mayor  of  the 
City  of  Canton. 

As  to  his  home  life,  none  could  be  happier.  He  was  united  in 
marriage,  June  26,  1895,  to  Ella  R.  Weaver,  and  their  union  has  been 
blessed  with  four  children,  two  of  whom  are  living,  Henry  Clay  and 
Nathan  Hale,  Grace  A.,  a  dearly  beloved  daughter,  having  departed  this 
life  May  27,   1907. 

This,  in  brief,  is  the  life-story  of  one  of  our  noblest  Juniors.  Of 
a  quiet  disposition,  unassuming,  modest;  yet  his  life  has  been  forceful 
and  has  left  a  powerful  impress  upon  the  Order.  Those  who  know  him 
best,  love  and  esteem  him  most.  His  very  face  portrays  manhood.  His 
eyes  deep-set,  "and  serious,  shine  with  a  merry  twinkle,  which  tells  of  a 
hidden  humor  that  draws  men  to  him. 


JOSEPH  POWELL 

Past    National    Councilor    from    Colorado. 

A  descendant  of  General  Joseph  Warren,  who  so  gloriously  fell  at 
Bunker  Hill,  of  the  Webber's  of  Maine,  the  Harris's  of  Maryland,  and 
the  Powell's  of  Virginia,  Past  National  Councilor  Powell  comes  from 
both  Puritan  and  Cavalier  stock — the  two  great  centers  of  American 
pedigree.  Near  Caldwell,  Ohio,  Joseph  was  born,  April  12,  1865,  in 
which  locality  he  received  his  public  school  education.  His  mother  dying 
when  he  was   ten  years   of   age,   the   Powell   home  was   broken   up,   and 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  725 

from  that  day  our  brother  started  out  on  life's  journey  to  make  his  own 
way,  fighting  bravely  the  battle  of  human  existence.  On  removing  to 
Colorado,  in  1887,  Brother  Powell  there  met  and  married  Miss  Lucy  M. 
Cushman,  a  descendant  of  the  Cushmans  of  Mayflower  fame.  Being  seized 
with  the  "  mining  fever,"  for  ten  years,  more  or  less,  he  followed  that 
uncertain  occupation  until  he  lost  all  his  money  in  the  hazardous  business. 
His  health  failing,  and  that  of  his  brother,  he  removed  to  California  in 
1904,  and  settled  in  the  southern  part  of  the  state  and  resided  at  San 
Bernardino,   but   subsequently  returned  to   Colorado. 

Brother  Powell's  connection  with  the  Junior  Order  is  replete  with 
interest,  none  in  the  fraternity  coming  more  quickly  to  the  front,  none 
being  more  enthusiastic  and  none  have  shone  more  brightly  in  the  galaxy 
of  leaders.  The  advent  of  the  National  Organizer,  Stephen  Collins,  in 
Colorado  in  1893  was  propitious.  Among  the  first  with  whom  Brother 
Collins  came  in  contact  was  Joseph  Powell,  and  it  was  but  a  short  time 
until  the  soul  of  that  "  typical  Westerner "  was  all  on  fire  with  the 
patriotism  that  long  ago  had  led  his  gifted  progenitor  on  his  mother's 
side  to  raise  the  sword  for  the  cause  of  Freedom  when  the  "  minute  men  " 
of  New  England  held  in  check  the  red-coated  cohorts  of  the  mother-land. 
Joining  Winona  Council,  No.  7,  of  Colorado,  he  made  rapid  advance, 
passing  quickly  the  chairs  of  his  Council  and  was  sent  as  a  Representative 
to  the  State  Council  at  its  session  held  in  May,  1894.  This  body  honored 
itself  at  the  same  session  by  electing  him  State  Vice-Councilor  as  well 
as  National  Representative,  and  at  the  session  held  at  Asheville,  North 
Carolina,  same  year,  he  was  admitted  to  the  Supreme  Body. 

At  this  time  all  through  the  West,  the  spirit  of  Juniorism  was  "  in 
the  air,"  and  there  were  "  giants  in  the  land."  Brother  Powell's  intense 
zeal  and  his  qualifications  of  leadership,  made  him  a  conspicuous  figure 
in  the  Order,  in  recognition  of  which  he  was  sent  into  the  great  field 
as  Special  Organizer  in  Colorado  in  which  position  he  accomplished  n 
good  work,  receiving  a  salary  of  $50.00  per  month  on  the  condition  of 
organizing  two  Councils  in  the  same  time.  When  he  was  unable  to  meet 
the  latter  requirement,  he  accepted  in  salary  pro  rata  the  amount  due 
him.  Added  to  his  salary,  however,  were  the  premiums  paid  both  by  the 
National  Council  and  the  State  Council  of  Colorado.  Having  been  elected 
in  May  of  1895  to  the  position  of  State  Councilor  of  his  state,  he  entered 
upon  a  year  of  great  activity  that  brought  to  Colorado  its  greatest 
advance.  Later  in  the  year  he  was  appointed  National  Organizer,  and 
in  the  performance  of  this  line  of  duty  he  travelled  more  than  25,000 
miles,  working  in  the  most  unpromising  territory  in  the  Far  West. 

Honors,  however,  were  very  rapidly  conferred  upon  our  brother. 
When  the  National  Council  convened  at  Denver,  Colorado,  in  1896,  he 
was  selected  as  the  most  feasible  man  for  the  office  of  National  Vice- 
Councilor,  and  in  one  of  the  hottest  battles  for  office  ever  waged  in  the 
National  Body,  Brother  Powell  was  elected.  After  serving  on  the 
National  Board  with  such  men  as  Tyler,  Shanor,  Pierson  and  Reimer,  he 
stepped  down  into  the  ranks  but  for  a  day,  as  he  was  appointed  upon  the 
Board  of  Trustees  of  the  National  Orphans'  Home,  in  which  position  he 
served  the  Order  for  five  years. 

In  recounting  the  history  of  Brother  Powell's  incumbency  in  the 
years   he    served   on   the    National    Board,    several   things    are   worthy   of 


726  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

note:  1.  The  submission  to  and  adoption  by  the  Order  of  the  Object  on 
the  Orphans'  Home  as  now  found  in  our  code  of  Objects.  2.  The  splendid 
system  of  government  under  which  the  Order  rests  as  adopted  at  Minne- 
apolis, Minn.,  in  1899,  is  the  direct  result  of  his  recommendation  both 
as  National  Vice-  and  National  Councilor,  the  recommendation  being 
adopted  at  Louisville  in  1898.  3.  The  Funeral  Benefit  Department  that 
has  eclipsed  all  records  in  fraternal  organizations  and  has  placed  the 
Order  on  a  high  plane,  was  the  conception  of  Brother  Powell's  brain  and 
was  one  of  his  recommendations  at  the  Louisville  session  in  1898.  In 
short,  Brother  Powell,  as  an  officer,  took  high  ground  on  all  the  great 
questions  that  confronted  the  Order,  and  fearlessly  as  well  as  en- 
thusiastically he  supported  every  measure. 

Joseph  Powell  possesses  a  great  soul  encased,  however,  within  a  frail 
body.  Again  and  again  has  he  been  attacked  by  the  enemy  of  the  human 
race,  but  with  undaunted  courage  and  faith  he  has  crossed  swords  with 
the  great  Destroyer  and  beat  him  back  and  held  him  in  check.  None  but 
he  and  his  God  know  the  fierceness  of  the  battle  our  brother  has  waged. 
Borne  down  by  disappointment  and  ill  health,  he  sought  a  less  rigorous 
climate  amid  the  soft  breezes  of  Southern  California,  and  there,  away 
from  friends  and  associates  he  sought  the  return  of  vigor  and  health.  In 
a  private  note  to  the  writer,  he  says: 

"  If  I  have  been  sick  and  out  of  touch  with  my  fellow-workers  these 
past  several  years,  I  have  travelled  silently  and  in  silent  communion 
with  my  God  thousands  of  times  through  those  old  campaigns  of  activity. 
And  although  the  frost  of  age  and  pain  has  wrought  great  changes  in 
me,  and  the  cloud  still  hangs  dark  and  heavy,  yet  I  believe  I  am  to  be 
given  life,  strength  and  prosperity  sufficient  to  compensate  all  who  ever 
knew  and  confided  in  me.  Although  I  have  been  face  to  face  with  death 
many  times  in  the  past  three  years, — in  fact  several  times  it  was  thought 
by  me  that  I  was  in  the  actual  process  of  going  out  of  this  life — yet  I 
have  always  had  the  consciousness  that  I  have  never  knowingly  or  inten- 
tionally wronged  any  one,  and  my  constant  prayer  has  been,  and  is,  that 
I  may  yet  meet  face  to  face  and  settle  whatever  accounts,  morally  or 
otherwise." 

Genial,  warm-hearted  and  true,  "  Joe "  Powell  will  ever  be  remem- 
bered and  believed  in  by  his  old  associates.  May  God  bless  him  and 
prosper  him  and  give  him  back  his  health  and  joy,  and  when  the  end  does 
come,  peace  and  eternal  tranquillity. 


SMITH  W.  BENNETT 

General   Counsel   for  the   National    Council   and    Chairman 

National  Law  Committee. 

On  the  8th  day  of  May,  1859,  in  the  town  of  Apollo,  Pa.,  Smith 
W.  Bennett  was  born;  however,  when  four  years  of  age,  his  parents 
moved  to  Bucyrus,  Ohio,  which  has  been  his  home  ever  since.  Within 
these  48  years  there  has  been  lived  a  life  that  has  had  its  imprint  upon 
the  world  in  a  larger  degree  than  usually  comes  to  the  average  American. 
Reading  law  with  Congressman  S.  R.  Harris,  of  Bucyrus,  he  was  admitted 
to  the  bar  in  1882,  and  began  the  practice  of  his  chosen  profession  in  his 
home  city.     Two  years  later,  however,  he  was  invited  to  form  a  partner- 


SMITH   W.  BENNETT 
Chairman  National  Law  Committee 


H.  S.  BARRY 
Chief  Supreme  Judge  National  Judiciary 


A.  D.  WILKIN 
Member  National  Law  Committee 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  72? 

ship  with  General  E.  B.  Finley,  which  connection  continued  for  13  years; 
during  the  last  four  years  of  this  period,  Judge  Thomas  Beer  was  also  a 
partner  under  the  name  of  Finley,  Beer  and  Bennett. 

A  larger  sphere,  however,  opened  for  Brother  Bennett  in  1898  by 
entering  the  Attorney  General's  Department  of  the  State  of  Ohio  under 
Attorney  General  Monnett,  as  "  Special  Counsel,"  and  he  was  retained 
in  the  same  unique  position  under  Attorney-General  Sheets.  Here  the 
brilliant  legal  mind  of  our  brother  had  full  play  in  having  assigned  to 
him  the  most  intricate  and  difficult  cases  that  came  before  the  Attorney- 
General,  which  position  he  magnified,  and  by  special  act  of  the  Legislature 
it  became  a  permanent  as  well  as  a  popular  feature  of  the  Attorney- 
General's  Department.  In  this  arena  of  legal  jurisprudence  Brother 
Bennett  has  been  engaged  in  litigated  cases  of  all  classes.  They  include 
those  of  constitutional  and  statutory  construction,  actions  in  quo  war- 
ranto and  mandamus  to  determine  the  limitations  of  power  of  private  and 
municipal  corporations;  questions  of  legislative  power,  in  particular  the 
"term  extender  cases;  "  cases  involving  the  rights  of  foreign  corporations 
under  Ohio  laws;  the  taxation  of  the  shares  of  National  banks,  and  the 
taxation  of  domestic  and  foreign  corporations; — indeed  the  list  easily 
could  be  made  interminable,  and  it  shows  a  remarkably  wide  range  of 
activity. 

Brother  Bennett  was  highly  honored  by  Governor  Nash  by  being 
appointed  a  member  of  the  "  Governor's  Committee "  to  draft  the 
municipal  code,  a  committee  of  which  no  other  state  officer  was  a  member. 
Being  fully  conversant  with  municipal  law  he  rendered  valuable  assistance 
to  the  Governor  in  the  framing  of  the  original  draft  of  the  code  which 
the  Executive  recommended  to  the  Legislature.  Following  the  enactment 
of  the  code,  to  Brother  Bennett  was  assigned  the  task  of  construing  the 
measure  for  the  benefit  of  the  officers  of  municipalities.  Very  frequently 
during  the  session  of  the  Legislature  he  was  called  into  conference  with 
committees  on  some  of  the  intricate  measures  that  came  before  them 
for  consideration.  In  1901  he  was  chosen  Secretary  of  the  State  Bar  Asso- 
ciation of  Ohio,  and  he  has  been  a  conspicuous  figure  in  that  body.  In 
a  paper  read  before  the  Association  in  1901,  he  attacked  a  provision  in 
the  State  Constitution,  known  as  the  Double  Stock  Liability  provision 
which  soon  bore  fruit,  for  it  resulted  in  the  Legislature  adopting  a  reso- 
lution to  submit  to  the  voters  of  the  state  the  question  of  amending  out 
of  the  Constitution  this  detrimental  section  that  drove  millions  of  capital 
of  Ohio  to  secure  incorporation  in  other  states. 

A  writer  in  one  of  the  public  journals  of  Ohio  has  this  to  say 
concerning  Brother   Bennett: 

"  In  politics  Smith  Bennett  has  been  a  Republican  of  unswerving 
loyalty  to  his  party;  in  official  position  he  has  been  both  loyal  and  devoted 
to  his  chief.  Genial  and  urbane, — as  courteous  and  gentlemanly  in  his 
intercourse  with  boon  companions  as  with  the  Supreme  Court  justices — 
a  hard  worker  and  good  playfellow,  he  is  noticably  a  man  of  many  and 
deep  friendships,  and  of  wide  popularity." 

With  such  a  record  as  given  above,  the  acquisition  to  the  ranks  of 
the  Jr.  O.  U.  A.  M.  of  Brother  Bennett  was  fortunate,  especially  during 
the  years  subsequent  to  the  Minneapolis  session  of  the  National  Council 
in    1899.     Sometime   in    1894   he  united  with   Bucyrus   Council,   No.    184, 


728  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

and  was  made  eligible  to  membership  in  the  State  Council  by  being  sent 
as  a  Representative  in  1895,  at  which  session  of  the  State  Body  he  was 
elected  National  Representative  and  was  admitted  to  the  National  Council 
in  1896.  Either  as  a  Representative  or  member  of  the  National  Law 
Committee — for  five  years  being  its  Chairman — he  has  attended  every 
session  of  the  Supreme  Body  ever  since,  with  the  exceptions  of  Louisville, 
in  1898,  and  San  Francisco,  in  1903,  in  both  cases  being  eligible.  In 
1904  he  was  appointed  General  Counsel  for  the  National  Council  which 
position  he  still  holds  ( 1907 ) .  He  is  also  the  Chairman  of  the  National 
Law  Committee. 

Being  a  constitutional  lawyer,  Brother  Bennett  rendered  invaluable 
service  to  the  Order  by  bringing  into  the  consideration  of  the  proposed 
new  Constitution  in  1899  the  benefit  of  a  fully  equipped  mind.  When 
each  section  of  the  new  government  code  was  attacked  by  those  antagonistic 
to  its  adoption,  it  was  Brother  Bennett  who,  in  clear  and  lucid  argument 
"  let  in  the  light  "  on  all  the  intricate  questions  arising  in  the  discussion 
of  same;  and  through  all  of  the  years  of  strife  subsequent,  his  remarkable 
ability  to  cope  with  the  controversial  questions  that  came  before  the 
Order,  has  made  his  services  to  the  organization  invaluable.  On  several 
occasions  in  the  National  Council  when  some  difficult  problem  was  before 
the  body  for  discussion,  and  the  members  were  "  beating  about  the  bush  " 
to  solve  it,  in  a  calm  and  deliberate  manner  Brother  Bennett  would 
"  clear  the  air "  and  unravel  every  knot.  As  an  interpreter  of  Junior 
law,  as  a  debater  on  the  floor  of  the  State  and  National  Councils  he  has 
but  few,  if  any,  peers  in  the  Order. 


A.    D.    WILKIN 

Past   National   Representative   from    Pennsylvania  and 
Member   of   National    Law    Committee. 

One  among  the  most  conspicuous  figures  in  the  National  Body,  who 
has  had  much  to  do  with  the  legal  end  of  the  Order  both  under  the 
jurisdiction  of  the  State  Council  of  Pennsylvania  and  the  National 
Council,  is  A.  D.  Wilkin,  of  Pittsburg,  Pennsylvania,  member  of  the 
National  Law  Committee.  "  Archie "  Wilkin,  as  he  is  commonly  known 
among  his  friends,  was  born  at  Coshocton,  Ohio,  August  21,  1861.  Subse- 
quently he  removed  to  Pennsylvania,  and  after  securing  a  public  school 
education,  he  began  the  study  of  law  and  was  admitted  to  the  Allegheny 
(Pennsylvania)  County  Bar  in  1887,  in  which  court  he  has  since  been 
practicing. 

Brother  Wilkin  was  initiated  into  Mansfield  (now  Honest  Abe) 
Council,  No.  66,  of  Pennsylvania,  in  1887,  and  for  years  was  a  very  active 
member  of  his  local  Council  and  an  enthusiastic  worker  among  the  Councils 
of  that  immediate  jurisdiction.  Having  obtained  quickly  the  highest  honors 
in  the  Council,  he  was  elected  its  Representative  to  the  State  Council  and 
was  admitted  to  that  body  at  the  session  held  at  Harrisburg  in  1899. 
For  a  number  of  years  he  was  a  member  of  the  State  Council  Law  Com- 
mittee and  was  one  of  the  originators  of  the  Advisory  Association  of 
Allegheny  County,  which  Association  aroused  much  sentiment  on  the  subject 
of  restrictive  immigration  and  drew  up,  under  Brother  Wilkin's  direction, 
the   bill   favoring   a  restrictive  measure  that  was   championed   by  former 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  729 

Governor  W.  A.  Stone,  then  Congressman  from  tlie  Pittsburg  district. 
This  association  exerted  quite  a  power  and  was  very  active  until  its 
place  was  taken  by  the  National  Legislative  Committee. 

A  vacancy  occurring  in  the  roll  of  National  Representatives  from 
Pennsylvania,  Brother  Wilkin  was  appointed  in  1893  and  he  was  admitted 
to  the  National  Council  at  the  Detroit  session  of  same  year,  and  at  the 
session  of  his  (State  Council  in  the  month  of  September  following  he  waB 
elected  for  a  term  of  five  years,  and  in  that  capacity  he  attended  the 
sessions  held  at  Asheville,  N.  C,  in  1894;  Omaha,  Neb.,  in  1895;  Denver, 
Colo.,  in  1896;  Pittsburg,  Pa.,  in  1897;  and  Louisville,  Ken.,  in  1898, 
taking  an  active  part  in  each.  Since  that  time  Brother  Wilkin  has  at- 
tended each  session  of  the  National  Body  from  1899  to  1907  and  is  still 
a  member  of  the  body.  During  that  time  he  has  served  on  the  Law 
Committee,  Ritual  Committee  and  Legislative  Committee  of  the  National 
Council,  for  two  years  being  Chairman  of  the  latter  Committee.  When 
the  new  government  of  the  Order  went  into  operation  in  1899,  Brother 
Wilkin  was  appointed  a  member  of  the  National  Judiciary  as  first  com- 
posed, resigning,  however,  in  a  short  time  in  order  to  represent  the 
National  Council  and  State  Council  of  Pennsylvania  as  attorney  in  the 
litigation   then   in   progress   within   the   Order. 

Taking  everything  into  consideration,  doubtless  no  one  in  the  organi- 
zation has  had  more  to  do  with  the  Order  from  a  legal  standpoint  than 
Brother  Wilkin.  From  1893  until  the  present  he  has  been  more  or  less 
connected  with  legal  questions  in  which  the  Order  was  interested  and 
has  had  a  part  in  some  of  the  most  prominent  cases  coming  before  the 
courts  both  judiciary  and  civil.  The  following  list  of  cases  is  sufficient 
to  show  how  prominently  connected  he  has  been  with  the  Order  along  the 
line  of  legal  jurisprudence: 

The  Riverside  School  Case,  in  Court  of  Common  Pleas,  Allegheny 
County,  Pennsylvania. 

The  Gallitzin  School  Case,  Common  Pleas  Court,  Cambria  County, 
Pa.,  and  the  Supreme  Court  of  the  Commonwealth. 

Deny  Council  vs.  the  National  Council  and  the  State  Council  of 
Pennsylvania,  in  Dauphin  County  Court  and  the  Supreme  Court  of  Penn- 
sylvania. 

Crow  vs.  Capital  City  Council  of  Pennsylvania  in  Dauphin  County 
Court,  following  the  same  to  the  Superior  Court  of  the  state. 

McCleary  vs.  Smoky  City  Council  of  Pennsylvania,  in  Common 
Pleas  Court  of  Allegheny  County,  Pa. 

State  Council  of  Pennsylvania  vs.  Duquesne  Council,  No.  110,  of 
Pennsylvania,  now  pending  an  appeal  to  the  Supreme  Court. 

Brother  Wilkin  also  represented  the  National  Council  before  the 
National  Judiciary  wherein  the  following  State  Councils  had  their  charters 
revoked:  New  Jersey,  New  York,  District  of  Columbia  and  Virginia.  At 
present  he  is  a  member  of  J.  P.  Winower  Council,  of  Pennsylvania. 

It  might  be  added,  that  the  Orphans'  Home  project  as  well  as  its 
location  had  in  Brother  Wilkin  a  worthy  champion.  The  records  of  the 
National  Body  show  that  when  the  opponents  of  the  Home  were  employ- 
ing every  form  of  strategy  to  defeat  the  establishment  of  the  Home  as  well 
as  its  present  location,  that  A.  D.  Wilkin,  astute,  and  quick  of  perception, 
readily  perceived  the  purport  of  the  motions  of  the  anti-Home  people 
and  effectually  spiked  their  guns. 


730  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

HARRY  S.  BARRY 

Past  State  Councilor  of  Maryland,  and  Chief  Supreme  Judge 

of  the   National    Judiciary. 

Suave,  modest,  and  a  born  gentleman,  Harry  S.  Barry  holds  a  high 
place  not  only  in  the  Order,  but  in  the  respect  and  esteem  of  his  brethren. 
Brother  Barry  is  comparatively  a  young  man,  having  been  born  in  Balti- 
more, Md.,  on  January  10,  1868,  and  has  lived  in  his  native  city  all  his 
life.  He  is  a  member  of  the  legal  fraternity,  practicing  at  the  bar  of 
Maryland. 

Brother  Barry  joined  the  Order  in  18S4,  and  is  now  a  member  of 
Baltimore  Council,  No.  1,  a  Council  that  has  given  to  the  organization 
such  men  as  Sohl,  Ogle  and  Buschman.  After  his  admittance  to  the  State 
Council  of  Maryland,  he  at  once  took  a  prominent  part  in  its  business, 
and  was  selected  for  State  Vice-Councilor  in  1893,  and  the  year  following 
was  placed  at  the  head  of  the  state  organization,  and  during  his  term 
he  had  the  honor  of  bringing  to  the  Order  in  his  state  the  greatest  increase 
of  Councils  and  members  of  any  year  in  the  history  of  the  State  Body, 
there  being  thirty-four  new  Councils  instituted  and  a  gain  of  5,056 
members. 

Harry  Barry's  admission  to  the  National  Council  dates  from  the 
session  held  at  Omaha,  Nebraska,  in  1895,  since  which  time  he  has  been 
a  member  of  the  Supreme  Body,  and  with  but  one  or  two  exceptions  has 
attended  every  session.  When  the  judiciary  department  was  established  at 
Minneapolis^  Minnesota,  in  1899,  Brother  Barry  was  appointed  Supreme 
Judge  of  the  National  Judiciary,  and  subsequently  was  appointed  Chief 
Supreme  Judge  of  that  tribunal,  which  exalted  position  he  still  holds 
(190S). 

ALEXANDER  M.  DeHAVEN 
Past   National    Representative   from    Pennsylvania. 

Possibly  there  is  no  better  known  member  of  the  Jr.  O.  U.  A.  M. 
fraternity  in  Pennsylvania  than  Alexander  M.  DeHaven,  whose  picture 
adorns  another  page.  He  has  been  a  life-long  member  of  the  Order,  having 
joined  Fredonia  Council,  No.  47,  some  28  years  ago.  Subsequently,  he 
became  a  member  of  William  Windom  Council,  and  when  the  secession 
movement  of  1900  came  about,  he  took  his  withdrawal  card  and  joined 
the  ranks  of  Courtland  Saunders  Council,  No.  866,  and  he  still  continues 
a  member  therein. 

Brother  DeHaven  is  about  46  years  of  age.  He  was  educated  in 
West  Philadelphia  Academy;  subsequently  entered  the  University  of  Penn- 
sylvania, and  then  studied  law  under  those  two  eminent  counsellors, 
Honorable  William  Nelson  West,  who  was  for  many  years  City  Solicitor  of 
Philadelphia,  and  Honorable  Henry  J.  McCarthy,  who  served  with  such 
distinction  as  a  member  of  the  Superior  Court  and  of  the  Court  of 
Common  Pleas  of  Pennsylvania.  Shortly  after  Brother  DeHaven's  admis- 
sion to  the  bar,  he  became  the  associate  of  the  gentlemen  above  mentioned 
and  subsequently  continued  in  the  practice  of  the  law  in  connection  with 
Milton  C.  Work,  the  firm  being  known  as  McCarthy,  Work  &  DeHaven, 
and  it  so  continued  until  the  death  of  Judge  McCarthy,  when  the  firm 
was  continued  and  still  exists  under  the  name  of  Work  &  DeHaven. 


P.  A.  SHANOR 
Past  National  Councilor  from  Pennsylvania 


ALEX  M.  DeHAVEN 

Past  National  Representative  from 

Pennsylvania 


CHAS.  S.  CRALL 
Past  State  Councilor  of  Pennsylvania 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  731 

Brother  DeHaven  has  enjoyed  an  extensive  practice  in  his  profession. 
having  been  associated  in  some  of  the  most  prominent  suits  in  Philadelphia, 
notably  the  Harrison  will  case;  the  Receivership  of  the  Union  Surety  & 
Guaranty  Company,  wherein  $000,000  security  was  entered;  and  the  liti- 
gation of  the  Patriotic  Sons  of  America  and  kindred  cases ;  but  his  close 
connection  with  the  Order  itself  probably  is  better  known  in  the  extensive 
litigation  which  the  Order  has  been  subjected  to  in  the  last  eight  years. 
He  was  the  first  attorney  retained  by  the  National  Council  immediately 
upon  the  commencement  of  the  hostilities  growing  out  of  the  Minneapolis 
and  Scranton  sessions  of  1899,  and  he  has  remained  continuously  in  charge 
of  this  litigation  up  to  the  present  time,  in  connection  with  Hon.  W.  U. 
Hensel. 

No  better  tribute  can  be  paid  to  him  than  the  record  of  his  manage- 
ment of  all  the  important  cases  brought  by  and  against  the  Order  in 
Pennsylvania,  when  it  is  recalled  that  he  has  never  lost  a  single  case 
entrusted  to  him  in  all  that  period  of  time;  although  the  litigation  has 
extended  through  the  various  stages  of  an  ordinary  suit  at  law  to  Quo 
Warranto  proceedings  before  the  Attorney-General,  warrants  of  arrest 
proceedings,  rules  for  contempt  of  Court,  Bills  in  Equity,  Injunction  pro- 
ceedings, arguments  in  the  Superior  Court  and  finally  in  the  Supreme 
Court, — in  all  of  which  the  cause  of  the  National  Council  and  of  the 
State  Council,  as  represented  by  the  "  loyalists,"  has  been  successfully 
maintained.  We  do  not  recall  any  like  record  in  any  other  fraternal 
litigation  throughout  our  country. 

In  addition  to  enjoying  the  respect  of  the  fellow-members  of  the  bar 
Brother  DeHaven  possesses  the  confidence  of  our  Courts,  having  been 
frequently  selected  by  them  for  the  important  position  of  Master.  Recently 
he  was  appointed  by  the  Orphans'  Court  of  Philadelphia  to  pass  upon  the 
marketability  of  certain  titles  to  real  estate,  which  involved  the  payment 
of  over  $400,000,  the  question  of  law  being  whether  a  woman  at  the  age 
of  72  years  could  have  issue,  and  Bro.  DeHaven's  opinion,  substantiated  in 
a  voluminous  report  which  was  accepted  by  the  Court,  was  that  such  issue 
were  possible,  and  upon  his  report  the  money  was  paid  and  the  title  held 
to  be  good. 

In  addition  to  his  record  as  a  successful  attorney,  he  has  been 
actively  engaged  in  the  domain  of  politics  in  his  native  city.  He  con- 
tinuously represented  the  West  Philadelphia,  district  in  the  legislative 
branch  of  the  city  government  for  a  period  of  12  years,  a  longer  period 
than  any  other  person,  during  which  time  he  has  acted  as  Chairman  of 
all  the  important  committees  and  finally  as  Chairman  of  the  Committee  on 
Finance,  admittedly  the  most  responsible  position  in  Councils,  and  for 
a  considerable  time  he  acted  as  President  pro  tern,  of  Councils.  During 
his  incumbency  as  Chairman  of  the  Committee  on  Finance,  some  of  the 
most  important  legislation  was  introduced  and  enacted,  and  his  record 
in  all  of  these  matters  is  recognized  as  a  splendid  tribute  to  his  faithful- 
ness and  honesty,  and  won  for  him  a  splendid  reputation. 

Brother  DeHaven  has  served  many  terms  as  a  representative  to  the 
State  Council,  and  for  three  sessions  as  National  Representative  from 
Pennsylvania,  having  attended  the  sessions  in  San  Francisco,  Nashville  and 
Boston,  in  all  of  which  meetings  he  took  an  important  part. 

His  last  efforts  were  in  the  "  Deemer  Jubilee,"  wherein  he  prepared 
the  various  resolutions  relative  to  the  retirement  of  Secretary  Edward  S. 


732  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

Deemer.  Brother  Deliaven's  address  on  the  occasion  of  the  presentation 
of  the  resolution  at  the  Boston  session  in  June,  1907,  is  recognized  as  one 
of  the  finest  pieces  of  diction  and  oratory  with  which  the  Order  has  been 
favored,  and  the  unusual  compliment  was  paid  him  of  having  the  address 
published  in  full  in  the  official  proceedings  of  the  Order,  extracts  of  which 
are  found  in  this  volume. 

As  a  debater  or  as  a  public  speaker,  he  is  regarded  as  among  the  best 
in  the  Order.  His  manner  is  pleasant  and  his  illustrations  apt,  and  these 
combined  with  a  wealth  of  historical  knowledge  and  extensive  reading, 
make  in  him  a  fearless  advocate  and  a  dangerous  opponent. 

While  he  pays  close  attention  to  the  exacting  duties  of  his  profession, 
he  does  not  entirely  neglect  club  life,  for  besides  being  a  member  of  the 
Councils  above  mentioned,  he  is  also  a  member  of  University  Lodge,  No. 
610,  F.  &  A.  M.;  the  24th  Ward  Republican  Club;  Harmony  Chapter,  No. 
52,  R.  A.  M.;  Washington  Camp,  No.  270,  P.  O.  S.  of  A.;  the  Delaware 
County  Field  Club;  Waverly  Castle,  No.  13,  K.  of  G.  E.;  the  West  Phila- 
delphia Lyceum;  the  Young  Republicans,  and  the  Bar  Association  of  Penn- 
sylvania— in  many  of  which  club  and  fraternities  he  is  an  active  officer. 

The  domestic  life  of  our  brother  is  ideal.  His  household  consists  of 
his  wife,  his  daughter  and  himself,  and  their  home  is  situated  in  the 
fashionable  portion  of  West  Philadelphia,  where  the  members  of  the  Order 
and  his  many  other  friends  always  find  a  cordial  greeting  and  a  pleasant 
place  to  visit. 


J.   L.   COOPER,  M.D. 
Past    National    Councilor   from   Texas. 

Coming  from  distinguished  French  ancestry,  of  Gaellic  stock,  Dr. 
J.  L.  Cooper,  the  "  silver  tongued  "  Junior,  of  Fort  Worth,  Texas,  has  an 
honored  place  in  the  ranks  of  the  Jr.  0.  U.  A.  M.  His  parents  removed 
from  Georgia  to  Texas  shortly  before  the  Civil  War,  where  our  brother 
was  born  in  the  year  1860.  His  father,  being  himself  a  highly  educated 
gentleman  and  one  of  the  most  distinguished  criminal  lawyers  Texas  ever 
had  and  for  years  Judge  of  the  District  Criminal  Court,  gave  his  son 
every  educational  advantage.  After  completing  the  High  School  course, 
he  attended  the  seminaries  of  his  state,  and  then  took  advanced  training 
at  the  Roanoke  Literary  College,  Va.,  after  which  he  studied  medicine  at 
the  University  of  Virginia,  and  the  College  of  Physicians  and  Surgeons 
at  Baltimore,  Md.,  which  was  followed  by  post-graduate  courses  at  Chicago 
and  New  York.  Thus  thoroughly  equipped,  he  returned  to  his  native 
state  and  established  himself  in  the  practice  of  his  profession  in  the  City 
of  Fort  Worth,  in  which  he  has  been  eminently  successful. 

His  home  life  is  of  the  happiest.  He  was  married  to  Miss  Elsie 
LaCroix,  of  a  prominent  Michigan  family,  whose  high  literary  and  musical 
attainments  brought  into  Dr.  Cooper's  life  a  congenial  help-meet,  to  which 
union  there  was  born  two  sons,  16  and  12  years  of  age.  This  happy 
family  live  in  one  of  the  handsomest  homes  in  Texas  located  on  Lispscomb 
Avenue,  Fort  Worth. 

Dr.  Cooper's  connection  with  the  Jr.  O.  U.  A.  M.  dates  from  1889  or 
1890,  when  he  became  a  charter  member  of  Lone  Star  Council,  No.  2, 
instituted  at  Fort  Worth,  and  he  has  served  in  every  office  of  his  Sub- 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  733 

ordinate  Council  as  well  in  every  office  of  the  State  Council.  Be  was 
elected  to  represent  the  Council  in  the,  National  Council,  May  7,  1891, 
and  in  that  capacity  was  admitted  to  the  National  Body  at  its  session 
held  at  Cleveland,  Ohio,  in  June  of  same  year.  He  at  <>nce  took  promi- 
nent part  in  the  proceedings  of  the  National  Council  and  was  soon  recog- 
nized as  a  "  coming  man  "  for  high  honors.  In  1898-1893  he  served  as 
Deputy  National  Councilor  for  Texas,  and  reinforced  by  National  Organ- 
izer Collins  in  1894,  several  Councils  were  instituted  whereupon  a  charter 
for  a  State  Council  was  secured  which  was  instituted  April  27,  1894, 
Brother  Cooper  being  elected  Junior  Past  National  Councilor,  thereby 
making  him  at  the  present  time  the  Senior  Past  National  Councilor  of 
Texas.  Dr.  Cooper  was  present  at  the  National  Council,  held  at  Ash- 
ville,  N.  C,  in  1894,  and  with  but  one  or  two  exceptions,  has  been  in 
attendance  at  each  session  ever  since,  occupying  several  elective  positions 
in  the  body  as  well  as  being  a  member  of  several  of  its  most  important 
committees.  In  a  hotly  contested  campaign,  he  was  elected  National 
Vice-Councilor,  at  Milwaukee,  Wis.,  in  1902,  and  was  unanimously  pro- 
moted to  the  Chair  of  National  Councilor  in  1903  at  the  San  Francisco 
session.  The  "  slogan  "  of  Dr.  Cooper's  administration  was  "  fifteen  thou- 
sand increase  " :  and  right  royally  did  the  members  of  the  Order  answer 
the  "  bugle  call  "  of  their  matchless  chieftain,  and  when  the  books  closed, 
there  was  announced  an  increase  of  14,871.  Had  the  figures  been  obtain- 
able at  the  time  of  the  session,  the  increase  would  have  been  largely  in 
excess  of  this;  however,  with  doubtless  one  exception,  this  was  the  largest 
increase  ever  recorded  up  to  that  time. 

Outside  his  official  duties,  Dr.  Cooper  has  rendered  great  service 
to  the  Order  in  the  part  he  has  taken  in  the  new  Object,  the  Beneficiary 
Degree.  He  was  one  of  the  first  to  suggest  such  a  feature  to  the  National 
Body  and  to  him  was  given  the  arduous  task,  as  Chairman  of  the  Com- 
mittee, of  drafting  a  Constitution  and  a  code  of  By-Laws,  which,  after  a 
most  thorough  research  into  every  phase  of  the  Insurance  problem,  he, 
with  other  members  of  the  Committee,  submitted  to  the  National  Council 
at  Minneapolis,  Minn.,  and  the  same  was  adopted  and  the  Degree  was 
established.  Dr.  Cooper  was  appointed  Chief  Medical  Examiner  and 
under  his  careful  investigations  the  Degree  has  made  great  progress  and 
is  to-day  regarded  as  a  very  worthy  feature  of  the  organization. 

Dr.  Cooper  is  an  orator  of  convincing  power  as  well  as  pleasing 
address,  and  combines  logical  clearness  with  rare  elegance  of  diction. 
He  has  the  pen  of  a  ready  writer  and  his  official  communications  while 
National  Councilor  are  among  the  most  precious  in  the  gems  of  the 
Order,  excerpts  of  which  have  been  given  in  their  proper  place  in  this 
volume.  He  is  a  most  thorough  gentleman  whose  glad  hand  and  smiling 
countenance  are  characteristics  of  the  man.  While  he  is  a  most  acceptable 
and  successful  physician,  he  is  at  the  same  time  engaged  in  other  impor- 
tant matters  both  in  his  professional  and  in  commercial  lines,  some  of 
which  are  noted:  President  of  the  U.  S.  Board  of  Pension  Examiners  for 
Northern  District  of  Texas;  Editor  of  the  Health  Department  of  the 
"Bohemian,"  the  brightest  of  Southern  journals;  Chief  Medical  Examiner 
of  the  Beneficiary  Degree,  Jr.  0.  U.  A.  M.  and  Supreme  Medical  Examiner 
of  the  United  Benevolent  Association;  President  of  the  Texas  Drug  Co.: 
President  of  the  "  B.  B."  Manufacturing  Co.:  and  President  of  the  Fort 
Worth  Board  of  Trade. 


734  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

ROGER  J.   ARMSTRONG 

Past   State  Councilor  of  Missouri  and   Member  Board  of  Control, 

Beneficiary  Degree. 

A  descendant  of  good  English  stock,  Roger  J.  Armstrong  was  born 
at  Westernport,  Maryland,  November  28,  1865.  He  was  educated  in  the 
public  schools  of  his  native  state  and  when  17  years  of  age  he  removed 
to  St.  Louis,  Missouri,  his  present  residence,  and  became  an  apprentice 
in  the  trade  of  a  machinist.  On  leaving  that  occupation  at  the  comple- 
tion of  his  apprenticeship,  he  engaged  in  the  photographing  business, 
which  proved  successful.  Disposing  of  his  interest,  Brother  Armstrong 
accepted  a  position  in  a  nail  firm  to  travel  in  Mexico,  with  headquarters 
at  Monterey;  this  position,  however,  he  relinquished  after  a  year  and  a 
half  and  returned  to  his  home  city  and  engaged  in  the  retail  grocery 
business. 

Brother  Armstrong  became  interested  in  the  Jr.  O.U.  A.  M.  in  Decem- 
ber, 1888,  and  was  a  charter  member  of  St.  Louis  Council,  No.  1.  Having 
received  the  highest  honors  of  the  Council,  in  1890,  he  was  sent  as  a 
representative  to  the  National  Council  that  met  in  Chicago,  Illinois, 
June  17.  In  November  of  1892,  Brother  Stephen  Collins  instituted  the 
State  Council  of  Missouri,  of  which  body  our  brother  was  a  charter 
member,  and  in  February  the  following  year  he  was  elected  State  Coun- 
cilor, and  for  two  years  had  charge  of  the  State  organization.  In  1896 
he  was  elected  State  Council  Treasurer,  a  position  he  has  held  ever  since. 

Brother  Armstrong  for  many  years  has  been  a  member  of  the 
National  Body,  serving  on  various  committees.  For  four  years  he  was 
a  member  of  the  National  Legislative  Committee,  in  the  work  of  which  he 
took  great  interest.  In  1902  he  was  elected  a  member  of  the  Board  of 
Control,  Beneficiary  Degree,  and  in  1905  was  reelected  for  a  term  of  five 
years.  He  is  at  present  a  member  of  Acme  Council,  No.  32,  of  Missouri, 
being  its  Treasurer  for  nine  years,  and  has  the  distinction,  though  but  a 
young  man,  of  being  the  only  original  charter  member  of  Missouri  in 
the  Order,  as  well  as  the  only  charter  member  of  the  State  Council — 
all  the  others  living  having  fallen  by  the  way.  He  is  also  a  member  of 
the  Masonic  fraternity. 

Brother  Armstrong  is  the  prince  of  good  fellows — genial,  courteous 
and  an  all-around  gentleman.  He  is  at  heart  a  thorough  Junior,  a  firm 
believer  in  its  doctrines  and  is  loyal  to  its  teachings;  as  a  friend,  he  is 
as  true  as  steel ;  as  a  man,  upright  in  all  his  actions,  and  one  that  always 
has  honored  his  manhood. 

THOMAS  C.  APPLEBY 
Past    National    Councilor   from    Delaware. 

One  of  the  few  links  that  connect  the  first  years  of  the  National 
Council  with  the  opening  years  of  the  twentieth  century,  still  active  in 
the  Junior  work,  is  Past  National  Councilor  Thomas  C.  Appleby,  of  Wil- 
mington, Delaware.  Life  with  our  brother  began  July  22,  1847,  in  the 
city  that  has  ever  since  been  his  home,  where  he  has  for  many  years 
been  prominently  connected  with  the  Betts  Machine  Company.  With 
him  life  hangs  lightly,  and  though  he  has  reached  his  three  score  years, 
his  youthful  spirit  retains  its  vigor. 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  735 

Brother  Appleby  quite  early  in  life  connected  himself  with  the 
Jr.  O.  U.  A.  M.,  joining  Wilmington  Council,  No.  5,  in  January,  1868, 
and  was  elected  Councilor  in  June  of  the  same  year,  after  which  lie 
represented  the  Council  in  the  State  Council,  and  subsequently  was 
elected  National  Representative.  His  associates  in  the  National  Council 
soon  recognized  his  sterling  character  and  ardent  zeal  and  placed  him 
in  the  Chair  of  National  Councilor  in  1873. 

For  some  years  the  Order  in  Delaware  ceased  to  exist,  but  the  fires 
of  Juniorism  were  never  extinguished  in  the  breast  of  our  brother,  and 
when  the  Order  was  reorganized  in  the  state  he  united  with  Welcome 
Council,  No.  7,  and  for  ten  years  he  has  served  as  its  Treasurer.  As  an 
evidence  of  his  enthusiasm  and  that  advancing  years  do  not  diminish  his 
patriotism,  he  has  been  for  years  and  is  still  the  captain  of  the  Council 
team,  the  "  crack  team "  in  the  state ;  and  summer  and  winter,  hot  or 
cold,  finds  Brother  Appleby  in  his  Council  aiding  in  every  work  and  enter- 
prise. His  presence  at  the  State  Council  meetings  brings  pleasure  to  the 
fraternity,  while  his  counsel  is  often  sought  and  his  opinions  are  respected. 
He  is  also  prominently  associated  with  other  fraternal  organizations, 
being  Past  Commander  of  the  Legion  of  the  Red  Cross,  Grand  Patriarch 
of  the  Grand  Encampment  of  T.  0.  0.  F.,  of  the  State  of  Delaware,  Past 
Grand  in  the  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  Past  Commander  in  the  Ancient  and 
Illustrious  Order  Knights  of  Malta  and  a  member  of  the  Order  of  Red 
Men. 

E.  R.   DILLINGHAM 

State  Council   Secretary  of  Georgia   and   Member  of  the   Board   of 

Control,   Beneficiary   Degree. 

In  a  New  England  town,  Fair  Haven,  Mass.,  on  January  10,  1859, 
there  came  the  announcement  in  the  Dillingham  home  that  a  child  had 
been  born,  who  subsequently  was  baptized  by  the  name  of  Edward  R., 
now  more  familiary  called  by  his  many  friends,  "Ed"  Dillingham.  Of 
his  early  life  and  early  manhood  we  are  not  informed,  but  being  a 
descendant  of  a  noble  ancestry  that  can  be  traced  back  to  the  earlier 
records  of  Puritan  history,  the  subject  of  this  sketch  spent  his  first  years 
near  the  place  where  the  passengers  of  the  Mayflower  first  set  foot  on 
the  soil  of  the  New  World,  from  which  sprang  a  great  civilization  that, 
like  the  waters  of  the  brook,  "  go  on  forever."  Subsequently  our  brother 
found  his  way  to  the  Southland,  Atlanta,  Georgia,  being  his  present 
home. 

Brother  Dillingham  is,  what  has  been  called,  a  "  jiner " — having 
connected  himself  with  nearly  every  prominent  secret  association  in  the 
State  of  Georgia,  being  a  member  of  Gate  City  Lodge,  No.  2,  F.  and 
A.M.;  Mount  Zion  Chapter,  No.  16,  F.  and  A.M.;  Jasan  Burr  Council,  No. 
13,  F.  and  A.M.:  Schiller  Lodge,  No.  71,  I.  O.  O.  F.;  Augusta  Encamp- 
ment, No.  5,  1. 0.  0.  F.;  Comanche  Tribe,  No.  6,  I.  O.  R.  M.;  Adolph 
Brandt  Lodge,  No.  53,  K.  P.,  and  City  of  Atlanta  Council,  No.  2,  D.  of  A. 
He  is  also  a  member  of  the  Daughters  of  Rebekah  and  a  Pocohontas 
Daughter.  His  affiliation  with  1. 0. 0.  F.  dates  from  September,  1888, 
and  in  same  year  he  became  a  member  of  the  Daughters  of  Rebekah.  In 
all   these   organizations   he   has   taken   a   prominent   part,    filling  various 


736  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

offices,    and    is   now    (1907)    Deputy    Great   Sachem    for   Oneida    Council, 
I.  0.  R.  M.,  of  Georgia. 

But  it  is  as  a  Junior  that  Edward  R.  Dillingham  is  most  distin- 
guished, being  not  only  the  Senior  Past  State  Councilor  of  Georgia, 
Senior  Past  Councilor  of  the  first  Council  organized  in  the  state,  but  the 
Senior  member  of  the  Order  in  Georgia,  his  name  being  the  first  on  the 
list  of  19  charter  members  of  Enterprise  Council,  No.  1,  instituted  at 
Atlanta,  April  22,  1893,  at  which  time  Brother  Dillingham  was  elected 
Junior  Past  Councilor,  and  in  the  month  of  June,  following,  was  elected 
Recording  Secretary,  in  which  capacity  he  served  the  Council  for  six  years 
for  the  compensation  of  one  dollar  a  year. 

Brother  Dillingham  was  the  leading  spirit  in  the  organization  of 
the  State  Council  of  Georgia,  being  one  of  the  charter  members,  which 
was  instituted  June  5,  1894,  having  at  the  same  time  conferred  upon 
him  the  honor  of  Junior  Past  State  Councilor  thereby  making  him  the 
ranking  Senior  Past  State  Councilor  of  the  state.  For  many  years  he 
has  served  as  Deputy  National  Councilor,  and  at  the  present  (1907) 
holds  a  commission  as  such  from  National  Councilor  H.  C.  Schaertzer. 
He  was  admitted  to  the  National  Council  as  a  Representative  at  the 
Asheville  (N.  C.)  session  in  1894,  and,  with  the  exception  of  the  session 
at  Buffalo,  in  1901,  he  has  attended  every  session  of  the  National  Body 
either  as  a  Representative,  an  elective  officer  or  as  a  member  of  some 
Committee.  He  and  Dr.  J.  L.  Cooper  offered  the  original  resolution  in 
the  National  Council  to  establish  the  Beneficiary  Degree,  of  which  Brother 
Dillingham  has  for  some  years  been  a  member  of  its  Board  of  Control. 

Brother  Dillingham's  greatest  service  to  the  Order  has  been  within 
his  own  state,  where,  with  tireless  activity  he  has  labored  and  is  now 
seeing  the  results  of  his  work.  He  was  elected  State  Council  Secretary 
in  1896  and,  with  the  exception  of  one  year,  has  served  in  that  capacity 
ever  since.  He  has  been  instrumental  in  organizing  quite  a  number  of 
Councils  in  his  state  all  of  which  are  in  splendid  condition. 

Our  brother  is  so  well  and  favorably  known  that  it  is  scarcely 
necessary  to  add  words  to  the  above  sketch.  Unassuming,  big-hearted, 
loyal  and  true  are  characteristics  of  this  hard-working  Southern  Junior. 
While  honors  have  been  conferred  upon  him  by  both  his  State  Council 
and  the  National  Council,  his  head  never  swelled,  and  he  wears  the 
same  sized  hat  that  he  wore  before  he  entered  the  Order.  In  a  private 
note  to  the  writer,  he  said,  "  I  have  lost  no  time  since  I  became  a  Junior 
and  have  worked  constantly  for  the  Order."  He  is  one  of  the  projectors 
as  well  as  president  of  the  Jr.  O.  TJ.  A.  M.  Association  of  Atlanta,  having 
in  view  the  erection  of  a  Jr.  O.  U.  A.  M.  Hall,  which  is  to  be  located  on 
grounds  opposite  the  Capitol  buildings  of  the  state. 

GEORGE  A.   GOWAN 
Past  State  Councilor  of  Tennessee. 

An  all-around  Southerner,  true  as  steel  and  honest  in  life  and 
heart,  Geo.  A.  Gowan,  of  Nashville,  Tenn.,  has  an  honored  place  among 
the  leaders  of  the  Jr.  O.  U.  A.  M.  A  native  of  Georgia,  being  born  near 
Madison,  still  his  life  from  a  mere  lad  has  been  spent  in  the  State  of 
Tennessee. 


GEO.  A.  GOWAN 
Past  State  Councilor  of  Tennessee 


R.  J.  ARMSTRONG 
Past  State  Councilor  of  Missouri,  Member 
Board  of  Control  Beneficiary  Degree 


PROF.  C.  F.  REEVES 
Past  National  Councilor  from  Washington 


W.  S.  SCHENCK 
Past  State  Councilor  of  Washington 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  737 

Brother  Gowan  joined  Goodwill  Council,  No.  ('».  of  Nashville  and 
has  been  one  of  its  most  active  members,  serving  for  the  past  11  years 
as  its  Financial  Secretary,  having  previously  passed  the  chairs  and  was 
sent  as  a  Representative  to  the  State  Council  in  which  body  he  has  ever 
been  a  conspicuous  figure  serving  as  State  Vice-Councilor  and  State 
Councilor,  during  whose  administration  the  Order  in  Tennessee  was 
placed  on  a  splendid  basis  that  marked  the  beginning  of  the  great  progress 
that  has  been  made  in  the  state  ever  since.  From  the  State  Council 
Brother  Gowan  was  sent  as  a  Representative  to  the  National  Council 
for  a  term  of  five  years  and  was  reelected  for  one  additional   year. 

Brother  Gowan  is  well  known  in  the  Supreme  Body  in  which  he 
is  recognized  as  an  enthusiastic  worker,  fearless  in  expressing  his  opin- 
ions upon  the  great  issues  coming  before  it.  Brother  Gowan  is  a  man 
of  strong  convictions,  believing  in  the  right  as  he  sees  the  right  and 
condemning  the  wrong,  and  being  imbued  with  a  high  type  of  Southern 
chivalry  and  possessing  an  exalted  sense  of  honor,  he  scorns  that  which 
is  small  and  mean.  In  debate  Brother  Gowan  does  not  wield  a  polished 
blade,  but  in  his  own  plain  way  he  generally  lets  his  audience  know 
where  he  stands  and  on  what  side  he  fights;  but  a  more  generous  foeman 
can  scarcely  be  found. 

One  strong  element  in  Brother  Gowan's  life  is  his  red-hot  earnest- 
ness. Some  men  in  this  life  count  more  for  intensity  of  purpose  than  of 
any  other  attribute.  With  them  life's  arena  is  no  playground,  but  a  work- 
shop where  can  be  multipled  their  powers  of  usefulness  to  the  world  by 
the  whole-hearted  way  they  throw  themselves  into  their  work.  Such  is 
Brother  Gowan.  Realizing  that  he  is  going  over  the  road  but  once  in 
life  he  is  determined  to  do  the  best  he  can  in  making  hearts  happy  and 
the  world  better  while  passing  through  it.  In  short,  the  poet  presents 
in  song  what  the  writer  cannot  put  in  prose — a  true  protraiture  of 
our  brother: 

"The  bread  that  bringeth  strength  I  want  to  giv<\ 
The  water  pure  that  bids   the  thirsty  live; 
I  want  to  help  the  fainting  day  by  day; 
I  'm  sure  I  shall  not  pass  again  this  way. 

"  I  want  to  give  the  oil  of  joy  for  tears, 
The  faith  to  conquer  crowding  doubts  and  fears. 
Beauty  for  ashes  may  I  give  alway; 
I  'm  sure  I  shall  not  pass  again  this  way. 

"  I  want  to  give  good  measure,  running  o'er, 
And  into  angry  hearts  I  want  to  pour 
The  answer  soft  that  turneth   wrath   away. 
I  'm  sure  T  shall  not  pass  again  this  way. 

"  I  want  to  give  to  others  hope  and  faith ; 
I  want  to  do  all   that  the  Master  saith; 
I  want  to  live  aright  from  day  to  day; 
I'm  sure  I  shall  not  pass  again  this  way." 

47 


« 
738  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

H.   L.    WENNER 
Past   State  Councilor   of  Ohio. 

Through  the  courtesy  of  Brother  Chas.  C.  Marquardt,  of  Tiffin, 
Ohio,  a  very  close  and  dear  friend  of  Dr.  Wenner,  the  following  sketch 
has  been  prepared  of  this  intensely  active  and  loyal  Junior: 

H.  L.  Wenner,  M.D.,  was  born  in  Tiffin,  Ohio,  September  19,  1801 ; 
is  a  graduate  of  the  Tiffin  Public  Schools,  and  subsequently  took  a  course 
in  the  medical  department  of  Western  Reserve  University  and  was  grad- 
uated from  that  institution  in  18S2.  He  has  followed  his  chosen  pro- 
fession with  marked  success  for  over  25  years,  and  has  won  for  himself 
an  enviable  place  in  the  Medical  Profession  of  Seneca  County. 

In  1886,  he  was  united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Emma  Huss,  to 
which  union  was  born  H.  L.  Wenner,  Jr.,  now  a  medical  student  in 
Western  Reserve  University,  and  who  has  also  been  a  member  of  Young 
America  Council,  No.  136,  Jr.  O.  U.  A.  M.  since  his  sixteenth  year.  Also 
Miss  Marjorie  Wenner,  now  a  member  of  the  Senior  Class  nf  the  Tiffin 
High  School.  Mrs.  Wenner  takes  a  very  active  part  in  D.  of  A.  work, 
enjoying  the  distinction  of  being  a  Past  State  Councilor  of  the  Daughters 
of  America,  in  Ohio,  and  a  Past  National  Representative  of  the  D.  of  A., 
and  through  her  pleasing  address  and  amiable  disposition  has  won  for 
herself  a  -wide  circle  of  friends  both  in,  and  out  of  the  Order. 

Now,  back  to  the  subject  of  our  sketch.  Brother  Wenner,  who  goes 
about  with  a  "  five  hundred  horse-power  working  force,"  under  a  full 
head  of  "  steam,"  with  plenty  of  surplus  energy  to  "  paddle,"  and  when 
this  tremendous  energy  gets  to  going  every  thing  about  him  moves. 

Brother  Wenner  is  an  active  member  of  the  Baptist  Church,  and 
holds  the  position  of  treasurer;  he  also  fills  an  important  place  in  the 
choir. 

In  politics  he  is  a  Republican,  not  in  word,  but  in  fact,  alert  and 
always  on  the  skirmish  line.  Was  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Education 
and  served  as  President  of  the  Board  that  introduced  and  passed  a  reso- 
lution to  furnish  free  text-books  to  all  the  school  children.  In  this 
matter  of  free  text-books,  Brother  Wenner  took  a  lively  interest  and 
championed  the  resolution  to  a  successful  termination.  He  was  also  a 
McKinley  Elector  of  the   13th  'Congressional  District  in   1896. 

It  is,  however,  as  a  Junior  that  Dr.  Wenner  has  a  magnificent 
record.  He  joined  Young  America  Council,  No.  136,  February  22,  1892, 
at  its  institution,  being  a  charter  member.  Was  elected  State  Vice- 
Councilor  at  Youngstown,  1893,  and  State  Councilor  by  an  unanimous 
vote  of  224  at  Hamilton,  1894,  was  reelected  at  Mansfield  in  1895,  and 
served  an  extra  four  months  because  of  change  in  term  of  office,  thus 
holding  office  as  State  Councilor  for  a  period  of  two  years  and  four  months, 
a  distinction  which  no  other  State  Councilor  of  Ohio  has  so  far  enjoyed. 
Brother  Wenner  has  witnessed  Young  America  Council,  No.  136,  grow 
from  a  charter  membership  of  14  to  880.  This  phenomenal  growth  is  due 
very  largely  to  his  alert,  persistent  «and  untiring  effort,  working  day  and 
night,  no  work  too  humble,  no  duty  too  onerous,  but  always  serving 
cheerfully  wherever  and  whenever  duty  calls.  He  served  as  chairman  of 
the  Orphans'  Home  Committee  that  secured  for  Tiffin  the  National 
Orphans'    Home,    which    carried    with    it    the    responsibility    of    raising 


J.  G.  A.  RICHTER 
Past  National  Councilor,  State  Council  Secre- 
tary of  Ohio 


JOHN  J.  WEITZEL 
Past  State  Councilor  of  Ohio 


DR.  H.  L.   WENNER 
Past  State  Councilor  of  Ohio 


JESSE  TAYLOR 
Past  State  Councilor  of  Ohio 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  7SQ 

$25,000.00  with  which  to  purchase  the  grounds.  His  personal  contribu- 
tion to  this  cause  was  $600.00  in  cash.  Dr.  Wenner  also  advocated  and 
instituted  a  movement  looking  toward  a  lodge  home  and  club  house  for 
Young  America  Council,  No.  136,  and  was  made  chairman  of  the  building 
committee  which  erected  and  equipped  a  $40,000  Club  House  on  the 
Y.  M.  C.  A.  plan. 

Those  who  know  Dr.  Wenner  best,  esteem  his  most;  and  as  ;i  raiser 
of  funds,  he  stands  without  a  peer,  for  his  word  is  as  good  as  his  bond. 
He  is  at  present  chairman  of  the  Board  of  Trustees  of  Young  America 
Council,  No;  136,  and  very  seldom  misses  a  Council  meeting  or  a  daily 
plunge  into  the  swimming  pool  at  the  Club. 

In  securing  applications  for  membership,  he  stands  in  a  class  entirely 
by  himself,  having  presented  over  500  applications  to  Young  America 
Council;  and  at  the  Tiffin  session  (1907)  of  the  State  Council  he  waa 
awarded  the  first  prize  of  $20.00  (which  he  immediately  turned  over 
to  the  building  committee  to  apply  on  the  indebtedness  of  the" Club  House, 
notwithstanding  a  previous  donation  of  $300.00  to  the  same  project)  for 
the  member  securing  the  greatest  number  of  applications  in  the  State 
of  Ohio,  during  the  year. 

He  is  quick  in  his  conclusions,  decided  in  his  judgment,  active, 
earnest  and  faithful  in  the  discharge  of  all  his  duties.  And  thus  we 
might  continue  to  represent  this  plain,  earnest,  approachable  man  of  the 
people,  whose  friendship  is  sincere  and  generous.  The  sum  of  such  a 
life  finds  its  expression  in  the  words,  "  A  good  citizen,  faithful  public 
servant,  true  friend,  indulgent  husband  and  a  kind  father.'' 

In  other  chapters  the  author  has  referred  to  the  work,  enthusiasm 
and  fidelity  of  Dr.  Wenner.  It  was  while  he  was  State  Councilor  of 
Ohio,  that  the  crowning  glory  of  the  Jr.  O.  U.  A.  M.  was  begun  and  con- 
summated— the  establishment  of  the  National  Orphans'  Home  at  Tiffin, 
Ohio.  To  Dr.  Wenner,  more  than  to  any  other,  belongs  the  credit  of 
securing  the  location  for  the  Home,  and  through  his  heroic  efforts  and 
princely  giving,  the  gift  of  $25,000  was  made  by  Young  America  Coun- 
cil, No.  136,  whereby  its  establishment  was  made  a  possibility  as 
well  as  a  glorious  fact.  Not  only  was  this  munificent  gift  secured  through 
his  persistent  enthusiasm,  but  he  sent  an  appeal,  as  State  Councilor, 
throughout  the  Order  in  the  state  that  thrilled  thousands  of  hearts  asking 
for  $1.00  per  capita  additional  thereby  swelling  the  contributions  of 
Ohio  alone  to  nearly  $60,000.  When  our  brother  shall  have  joined  the 
"  great  majority,"  there  will  stand  on  the  banks  of  the  Sandusky  a 
monument  of  his  devotion  more  enduring  than  granite  or  marble  or  that 
of  any  mausoleum  that  can  be  constructed  by  human  hands. 

JESSE   TAYLOR 

Past    State    Councilor   of   Ohio. 

Jesse  Taylor,  familiary  known  as  "  Taylor  the  Terrible,"  is  a  native 
of  the  "  Buckeye  State,"  having  seen  the  light  of  day  at  Jamestown, 
February  28,  1864.  He  grew  up  like  all  boys  to  manhood,  receiving  a 
good  public  school  education,  and  being  inclined  to  the  legal  profession, 
he  sought   and   obtained   a   position   in   a   law  office   and    was   soon   found 


740  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

delving  into  Blackstone.  In  December  of  1885,  Brother  Taylor  removed 
to  Kansas,  in  which  state  he  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  March  of  1886, 
rising  very  rapidly  in  popularity,  being  elected  County  Attorney  of  Morton 
County  in  1887,  and  was  selected  Probate  Judge  of  same  county  in  1888. 
In  1889,  July  1,  President  Harrison  appointed  him  Receiver  of  U.  S. 
Land  Office  at  Garden  City,  Kansas,  which  responsible  position  he  held 
until  February  of  1894.  Yearning  for  his  native  heath,  Brother  Taylor 
returned  to  Jamestown  in  1895  and  was  selected  Cashier  of  the  People's 
Bank  of  that  place,  which  position  he  has  held  to  the  present  (1907). 
The  citizens  of  his  old  home  soon  recognized  his  qualifications  and  sterling 
character,  whereupon,  they  elected  him  Mayor  of  Jamestown  in  1896, 
which  office  he  held  until  the  expiration  of  the  term  in  1900.  Again  a 
few  years  later  he  was  elected  to  the  same  office,  the  term  of  which  expires 
in   1908. 

As  is  well  known,  Brother  Taylor  during  the  years  of  1906  and  1907 
was  absent' from,  his  duties  as  the  chief  executive  of  his  city  looking 
after  legislative  matters  at  Washington.  On  his  return  he  found  that 
his  salary  as  Mayor  had  accumulated  and  the  Finance  Committee  had 
recommended  payment  of  same.  Brother  Taylor,  however,  would  not 
permit  the  city  council  to  approve  the  bill,  declaring  that  being  away 
from  his  duties  as  Mayor,  he  had  not  earned  it  hence  would  not  accept 
the  salary  for  the  time  he  was  absent.  Referring  to  this,  which,  in  the 
minds  of  politicians  was  somewhat  peculiar,  a  writer  under  date  of 
March  29,  1907,  has  this  to  say:  "  He  (Taylor)  has  just  now  again  come 
into  the  limelight,  and  at  the  same  time  is  a  puzzle  to  politicians  and 
officeholders,  who  declare  he  has  started  something  that  may  not  stop, 
and  sets  an  example  which  make  him  at  the  same  time  the  greatest  of 
curiosities  in  the  great  State  of  Ohio." 

Brother  Taylor's  views,  religiously,  conform  to  the  teachings  of  the 
M.  E.  Church,  of  which  he  is  a  member,  and  being  in  accord  with  its 
doctrines,  his  strong  temperance  proclivities  threw  him  into  the  local 
option  movement  of  his  state,  and  in  this,  as  in  every  cause  he  espoused, 
like  a  war-horse,  he  rushed  into  the  fray,  moved  by  a  fiery  enthusiasm 
so  characteristic  of  his  make-up,  and  campaigned  the  state  in  the  cause 
of  temperance,  as  the  result  of  which  many  towns  went  "  dry "  at  the 
next  election. 

In  his  fraternal  relations,  he  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  Order, 
Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  Knight  of  Pythias,  Elks,  Patriotic 
Order  Sons  of  America,  Daughters  of  America  and  the  Jr.  O.  U.  A.  M. 
However,  it  is  as  member  of  the  Juniors  that  Brother  Taylor  is  well 
known.  His  connection  with  the  Order  dates  from  1S98,  when  he  entered 
as  charter  member,  Jamestown  Council,  No.  31,  and  soon  was  honored 
with  the  highest  office  in  the  Council,  and  was  sent  to  the  State  Council 
as  the  Council's  Representative  in  1899  and  1900  and  was  on  the  Law 
Committee  in  1901  and  1902.  In  1903  he  was  unanimously  elected  State 
Vice-Councilor  and  in  1904  was  promoted  to  the  Chair  of  State  Councilor, 
whose  rapid-fire  administration  and  unique  methods  were  marked  features. 
He  did  not  spare  "  printers  ink  "  nor  time  in  order  to  arouse  the  member- 
ship to  duty  and  activity,  and  by  prose  and  poetry  he  stirred  the  Order 
from  one  end  of  the  state  to  the  other,  and  as  a  result  of  his  strenuous 
administration,  40  Councils  were  added  to  the  roll  and  the  membership 
increased. 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  741 

Brother  Taylor  was  strongly  imbued  with  Restrictive  Immigration 
sentiments.  With  his  ears  to  the  ground  he  heard  the  tramp  of  Europe's 
millions  sweeping  down  upon  fair  Columbia,  and  with  his  usual  enthusiasm 
he  entered  the  arena,  and  by  voice  and  pen  brought  tbe  immigration  issue 
before  the  Order.  His  enthusiasm  stirred  up  the  National  Council  at 
Nashville,  in  1905,  of  which  body  he  was  a  member,  and  as  a  result. 
$5,000  was  appropriated  to  the  National  Legislative  Committee,  of  which 
Committee  he  was  a  member  and  its  Secretary.  His  work  at  Washington 
for  the  years  of  1005-1907  was  of  a  strenuous  character,  where  he  and 
the  Committee  met  most  formidable  opposition  to  the  enactment  of  a 
Restrictive  Immigration  Law,  both  from  the  steamship  lobby  and  Speaker 
Cannon,  the  latter  the  most  inveterate  foe  of  the  question  of  American 
protection.  Through  the  influence  of  the  Committee,  under  Brother 
Taylor's  direction,  a  good  law  on  the  subject  of  Naturalization  was  enacted, 
and  a  compromise  measure  on  Immigration  became  a  law  which  is  dis 
cussed  in  its  proper  place. 

JOHN  J.  WEITZEL  * 

Past   State   Councilor  of  Ohio. 

A  more  striking  example  of  the  real,  self-made  man  cannot  be  pre- 
sented than  the  biography  of  John  J.  Weitzel,  the  "  leading  Junior  of 
Ohio.''  The  subject  of  this  sketch  made  his  initial  bow  to  the  world  at 
Cincinnati,  Ohio,  on  the  3rd  day  of  June,  1874.  His  father,  George  Weitzel, 
was  born  in  Germany  and  his  mother,  nee  Amelia  Hettrick,  was  born  at 
Carthage,  Ohio,  near  Cincinnati. 

"  Honest  John,"  as  he  is  affectionately  called  by  his  Ohio  brethren, 
passed  through  boyhood  as  was  fit  for  the  average  American  boy,  attend- 
ing the  public  schools  of  the  city  of  his  birth.  After  leaving  school  he- 
served  for  a  few  years  in  various  capacities — driving  a  team  for  his 
father ;  printer's  "devil  "  in  a  Sixth  street  printing  shop,  when  he  asso- 
ciated himself  in  the  modest  capacity  of  office  boy  with  Rufus  B.  Smith. 
Avery  &  Holmes,  one  of  the  ablest  legal  firms  in  the  state  at  the  time. 
When  Rufus  B.  Smith  was  elected  Judge  of  the  Superior  Court  of  Cin- 
cinnati in  1891  he  accompanied  Judge  Smith  as  messenger  of  the  Court. 

It  was  during  this  period  that  was  born  to  the  progressive  youth  a 
desire  for  legal  knowledge  and  training  and  he  assiduously  devoted  his 
<spare  time  to  the  study  of  law  in  the  jury  room,  and  labored  until  the 
wee  small  hours  of  the  morning,  until  June  20th,  1900,  when  he  was 
admitted  to  the  bar.  The  Court  Index,  the  official  organ  of  the  Cincinnati 
Courts,  said :  "  When  a  young  man  comes  to  the  bar  in  that  way  under 
the  present  system  of  severe  examination,  it  means  there  is  something  in 
him  .  .  .  and  the  firm  (legal)  securing  him  will  be  served  with  an  intelli- 
gence, as  to  court  proceedings,  that  is  rarely  possessed  by  one  just  entering 
the  profession."  He  then  associated  himself  with  Judge  Smith  and  has 
offices  with  him  in  the  First  National  Bank  Building  of  Cincinnati  and  a 
clientele  to  be  envied  by  many  an  older  practitioner. 

On  June  26.  1895,  in  accord  with  Scriptural  admonition,  he  took 
unto    himself    a   wife,    Miss   Julia    Rothert,    of    Cincinnati,    two    children 


»  Written   by   Dr.   Arthur  C.    Rauer. 


742  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

resulting   from   the   happy   union,   Ruth   and   Hazel.      Hazel   died  October 
]2th,  1897. 

Bro.  Weitzel  was  initiated  into  Woodward  Council,  No.  49,  on  the 
30th  day  of  July,  1S95,  and  three  weeks  later  was  appointed  Chaplain 
thereof.  He  was  rapidly  promoted  afterwards,  having  since  served  in  the 
offices  of  Trustee,  Vice-Councilor  and  seven  terms  as  Councilor.  After 
his  third  term  as  Councilor,  he  desired  to  step  aside  for  some  other  brother, 
but  five  petitions  signed  by  the  general  membership  of  the  Council  urged 
him  to  continue,  which  he  did  to  the  best  of  his  ability,  thereby  raising 
the  Council  from  a  condition  which  rendered  it  unable  to  pay  its  sick 
benefits  to  the  enviable  position  it  occupies  to-day — plenty  of  prosperity 
and  strength  of  a  Gibraltar.  He  has  served  on  every  committee  of  the 
Council  since,  and  at  the  dedication  of  Noah  Webster  Public  School,  pre- 
sented a  flag  for  Woodward  Council  and  was  Grand  Marshal  of  the 
parade  of  the  day,  composed  of  several  hundred  school  children,  Woodward 
High  School  cadets,  several  uniform  societies,  Walnut  Hills  cadets, 
G.  A.  R.,  Board  of  Education,  K.  of  P.,  and  many  Junior  Order  Councils. 
He  made  the  presentation  oration.  He  has  since  presented  flags  for  the 
Junior   Order  to  many  public  schools. 

Bro.  Weitzel  has  served  as  Representative  to  the  State  Council  of 
Ohio  ever  since  he  was  entitled  to  wear  the  Past  Councilor's  emblem,  only 
refusing  to  be  a  candidate  for  reelection  when  he  was  elected  State  Coun- 
cilor of  Ohio,  September  11th,  1906.  At  the  State  Council  session  held 
in  Cincinnati,  September  12th,  1900,  he  was  elected  National  Represen- 
tative, and  was  reelected  at  the  Tiffin  and  Canton  sessions,  always  leading 
the  ticket  by  a  very  substantial  majority.  At  Dayton,  in  1905,  he  was 
unanimously  elected  State  Vice-Councilor,  and  likewise  elevated  to  the 
Councilor's  Chair  the  following  year  at  Canton.  Bro.  Weitzel's  adminis- 
tration as  State  Councilor  was  a  successful  one,  in  every  particular. 
Harmony  reigned,  the  financial  condition  was  the  best  in  the  history  of 
the  State  Council  and  the  numerical  growth  far  surpassed  the  expectations 
of  the  body.  Early  during  his  administration  he  adopted  the  policy, 
"  quality  not  quantity,"  and  the  results  were  satisfactory  to  all.  His 
"  Memorial  Day "  proclamation  was  a  master-piece  and  original  with 
him.  It  called  attention  to  reverencing  our  dead  on  the  day  set  aside 
by  the  National  Council,  saying,  "  respect  the  dead  who  were  a  constituent 
of  our  movement  toward  American  protection."  He  also  recommended 
to  the  State  Council  the  setting  aside  of  a  page  or  more  in  the  proceed- 
ings for  the  names  of  the  deceased  brethren  of  Ohio's  jurisdiction. 

He  has  served  on  the  Credential  Committee,  as  Supreme  Judge  of  the 
Judiciary,  and  in  many  other  committee  capacities  of  the  State  Council  of 
Ohio.  At  the  State  session  of  1906  he  was  unanimously  endorsed  as  Ohio's 
candidate  for  National  Vice-Councilor,  and  at  the  Boston  session  in  1907 
was  defeated  for  that  office  by  a  small  margin.  As  always,  he  took  his 
defeat  urbanely,  never  forgetting  that  he  had  taken  the  Junior  Order 
obligation  and  coming  home,  brought  with  him  renewed  inspiration  for 
work  for  the  Order.  At  the  State  session  held  at  Tiffin  in  1907,  he  again 
was  endorsed  as  Ohio's  candidate  for  the  same  National  honors  by  a 
unanimous  standing  vote.  At  the  Nashville  session  of  the  National  Coun- 
cil he  was  appointed  Deputy  National  Councilor  of  Ohio,  and  in  1904 
served  as  a  member  of  the  legislative  Committee  of  that  body. 


UNITED  AMERICAN   MECHANICS  743 

John  J.  Weitzel  lias  done  yeoman  service  in  the  cause  for  which  the 
Order  stands,  having  led  the  fight  for  the  enforcement  of  the  Hag  law  in 
Cincinnati  to  a  successful  issue.  Some  years  ago  when  the  Germans  of 
Cincinnati  took  exceptions  to  the  objects  of  the  Junior  Order  and  antagon- 
ized the  same,  John  Weitzel,  almosl  single-handed  succeeded  in  establishing 
peace  and  harmony,  from  which  resulted  a  large  parade  given  by  tin- 
German  Protestant  Orphan  Association,  which  was  participated  in  by  a 
large  delegation  from  the  Junior  Order  and  the  Daughters  of  America. 

Brother  Weitzel  is  Chairman  of  the  Legislative  Committee  of  the 
National  Council  of  the  Daughters  of  America;  Past  Master  of  Cynthia 
Lodge,  F.  &  A.  M.:  Secretary  of  Gen.  W.  T.  Sherman  Council,  National 
Union ;  and  a  member  of  the  Sons  of  Veterans  and  other  organizations. 
He  is  First  Vice-President  of  the  Home  Protective  League  of  America 
and  also  Counselor  thereof;  was  one  of  the  organizers  of  the  Hamilton 
County  Immigration  Bureau,  of  which  he  is  Counselor  and  has  served  on 
its  most  important  committees.  In  the  latter  capacity  he  visited  the 
foreign  colonies  of  Cincinnati  in  1905  and  his  report  thereof  created  quite 
a  stir  in  local  political  and  civic  circles. 

He  has  appeared  before  "  public  committees  "  in  behalf  of  the 
Order,  always  representing  the  "boys."  He  never  held  public  office,  and 
has  been  known  to  refuse  good  appointments  which  were  to  his  financial 
as  well  as  professional  advancement  because  they  endangered  the  time 
he  was  devoting  to  the  Order.  For  the  two  years  he  served  as  Vice- 
Councilor  and  Councilor  of  the  State  Council  of  Ohio  he  gave  up  the 
practice  of  law  entirely.  Three  campaigns  in  which  the  Order  was  inter- 
ested were  led  by  him  successfully,  running  the  affairs  of  the  fight  by 
day  and  speaking  at  night.  He  is  a  captain  of  the  First  Regiment  of 
the  Uniformed  Rank  of  the  Ohio  Juniors,  having  been  made  an  honorary 
member  of  the  Colonel's  staff  in   1907. 

John  J.  Weitzel  has  a  character  of  excellent  hereditary  lineage, 
coming  from  honest,  sturdy  stock;  of  modest  mien,  yet  full  of  determina- 
tion of  purpose  that  defies  defeat;  true  to  his  convictions,  honorable  to 
himself  and  his  fellowman  and  loyal  to  his  friends  and  the  cause  of 
Honor  and  Country. 


REV.  JAMES  G.  MILLER 
National  Representative  and  Past  State  Councilor  of  Ohio. 

The  life  story  of  this  patriotic  man  of  God,  is  as  follows:  Born  near 
Grand  Ridge,  Illinois,  October  2,  1867;  Lewis  T.  and  Lucinda  P.,  name 
of  parents;  lived  on  a  farm  and  for  16  years  followed  that  occupation, 
in  the  meantime  securing  all  the  advantages  of  an  education  that  the 
public  schools  afforded.  Leaving  the  farm  when  16  years  of  age,  Brother 
Miller  entered  Lincoln  University  at  Lincoln,  Illinois,  graduating  with 
honors  after  four  years'  study,  and  for  two  years  engaged  in  the  profes- 
sion of  teaching  in  the  common  schools. 

Having  been  brought  up  under  most  excellent  home  training,  when 
10  years  of  age  Brother  Miller  united  with  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian 
Church,  and  when  but  16  he  was  taken  in  charge  by  the  Presbytery  of 
the  church  and  licensed  to  preach  the  Gospel  at  the  age  of  twenty, 
and    temporarily    supplied    the    pulpit    at    Greenview    and    New    Holland. 


744  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

Illinois.  Having  on  March  28,  1889,  united  in  marriage  with  Miss  Anna 
Sanner,  of  Woodburn,  Illinois,  they  started  their  happy  married  life  and 
our  brother's  regular  ministry  in  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church  at 
Oliveburg,  Pennsylvania.  He  was  ordained  in  the  Allegheny  Presbytery 
at  Punxsutawney,  October,  of  same  year.  Brother  Miller  has  held 
pastorates  also  at  Sandy  Lake,  Pa.,  and  in  Ohio,  and  has  been  in  his 
present  charge,  West  Chester,  Ohio,  since  November  17,  of  1895.  For 
15  years  he  was  Stated  Clerk  of  the  Synod  of  Ohio.  His  ministry  bas 
proven  successful  in  the  building  up  of  the  church  and  in  the  leading 
of  men  to  a  better  life.  Two  young  ladies  under  his  ministry  have  gone 
forth  to  foreign  fields  of  labor,  one  to  China,  and  the  other  to  Japan,  where 
they  are  carrying  forward  the  Master's  kingdom. 

As  a  member  of  the  Jr.  0.  U.  A.  M.,  Brother  Miller  has  been  as 
conspicuous  and  zealous  as  in  the  work  of  the  ministry,  believing  that 
the  Gospel  of  Patriotism  and  the  Gospel  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  go  hand 
in  hand.  He  was  initiated  on  May  G,  1890,  into  McCalmont  Council,  No. 
377,  at  Panic,  Pennsylvania,  and  was  elected  Councilor  from  the  floor  and 
served  as  Deputy  State  Councilor  under  State  Councilor  Collins.  Remov- 
ing to  West  Chester,  Ohio,  Brother  Miller  carried  his  Junior  enthusiasm 
with  him  and  there  organized  Chester  Council,  No.  127,  and  became  a 
charter  member  by  card;  was  elected  Representative  to  the  State  Council 
of  Ohio,  in  1900,  and  at  the  session  of  that  body  same  year  was  elected 
State  Council  Chaplain,  to  which  position  he  was  reelected  each  year  until 
1904,  when  his  enthusiasm,  his  activity  on  the  floor  of  the  State  Council 
as  a  speaker  and  his  courage  in  upholding  the  right,  made  him  conspicuous 
in  the  counsels  of  his  brethren,  whereupon  he  was  elected  State  Vice-Coun- 
cilor of  the  State  Body  in  the  year  above  named  and  in  1905  was  placed  at 
the  head  of  the  Order  in  the  State  of  Ohio.  Notwithstanding  his  ministerial 
duties,  which  he  did  in  no  wise  neglect,  State  Councilor  Miller  gave  to 
the  organization  of  his  state  an  honest  and  eminently  successful  adminis- 
tration, making  77  visits  to  the  Councils  of  his  jurisdiction,  delivering 
many  public  addresses  and  in  every  way  kept  his  hand  on  the  helm.  Dur- 
ing his  administration  22  new  Councils  were  instituted  and  the  member- 
ship was  increased  3240,  besides  leaving  in  the  State  Council  Treasury 
an  increased  balance  of  $1400,  notwithstanding  $500  had  been  given  to 
the  National  Legislative  Committee  and  $100  contributed  to  the  San  Fran- 
cisco Fund. 

As  a  public  speaker  at  union  meetings,  flag  raisings,  etc.,  Brother 
Miller  has  been  in  demand,  both  in  Pennsylvania  and  Ohio.  On  retiring 
from  the  Chair  of  State  Councilor,  he  was  elected  for  the  short  term  as 
a  National  Representative  and  represented  his  State  Council  with  ability 
at  the  National  Council  held  at  Boston,  Mass.  He  is  also  a  member  of 
the  I.  O.  O.  F.  and  the  Masonic  fraternity.  For  years  he  has  been  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Executive  Committee  of  the  Christian  Endeavor  Union  of  his 
state.  As  a  musician,  he  has  acquired  some  note  as  a  composer  of  sacred 
songs  and  has  given  the  world  some  helpful  music. 

Brother  Miller  is  a  man  of  strong  convictions,  doing  the  right  as 
he  sees  the  right,  fearlessly  "  fighting  in  the  open  "  when  a  basic  principle 
is  assailed.  Open  hearted,  with  a  "glad  hand"  ever  extended,  our 
brother  has  found  a  warm  place  in  the  hearts  of  his  brethren.  "  I  love  the 
Order  and  purpose  to  '  keep  at '  as  long  as  I  live,"  are  the  concluding 
words  in  a  private  note  to  the  writer. 


UNITED  AMERICAN   MECHANICS  743 

JOHN  W.  PAUL 
Past   State   Councilor   of   Pennsylvania. 

John  \Y.  Paul  was  born  in  the  year  of  1844,  and  as  soon  as  he 
arrived  at  "proper  age,"  (16).  he  united  with  Relief  Council,  No.  2,  of 
Philadelphia,  and  for  47  years  he  has  been  a  member  of  same.  A  copatriot 
with  John  \Y.  Calver,  Edward  S.  Deemer  and  Chas.  H.  Kurtz,  they  formed 
a  notable  quartette  of  Juniors  who  had  much  to  do  with  the  earlier  life 
of  the  Order.  Brother  Paul  is  also  a  member  of  the  0.  U.  A.  M.,  being 
connected  with  Decatur  Council,  of  Philadelphia. 

Brother  Paul  in  the  formative  history  of  the  organization  took 
an  active  part  in  the  Order,  having  early  in  the  sixties  beionie  ;i  member 
of  the  State  Council  of  Pennsylvania,  and  was  elected  State  Councilor  at 
the  session  of  18GG,  in  which  position  he  served  faithfully  and  well  in  the 
interest  of  the  little  body  of  Juniors  then  found  in  the  ranks.  He  was 
also  one  of  the  originators  of  the  National  Council  and  was  an  active 
spirit  in  the  early  history  of  the  body.  At  the  present  (1907)  he  lives 
quietly  in  the  little  town  of  Rutledge,  near  Philadelphia,  and  is  the 
Chief  Burgess  of  the  place. 


CHAS.  H.  KURTZ 
Past  National  and  Past  State  Councilor  of  Pennsylvania. 

Relief  Council,  No.  2,  of  Philadelphia,  has  the  honor  of  having  upon 
its  roll  another  member  who  has  achieved  distinction  and  been  the  recipi- 
ent of  honors  from  both  the  State  Council  of  Pennsylvania  and  the  Na- 
tional Council — Brother  Chas.  H.  Kurtz,  a  conspicuous  figure  in  both 
bodies.  Brother  Kurtz  united  with  Relief  Council,  No.  2,  May  10,  1860, 
and  passed  the  chairs  in  December,  1861,  and  early  in  January  of  1862 
he  was  elected  Treasurer  of  the  Council,  which  position  he  still  holds 
(1907),  making  45  years  of  continued  service  in  that  responsible  position 
— and  evidence  of  the  respect  and  high  esteem  in  which  he  is  held  among 
his  brethren. 

Brother  Kurtz  became  a  member  of  the  State  Council  of  Pennsyl- 
vania and  at  the  same  time  of  the  National  Council,  in  1870,  and  at  the 
session  of  the  State  Council  in  1871,  he  was  elected  State  Councilor.  As 
a  member  of  the  National  Council  Finance  Committee  for  many  years, 
he  is  well  and  favorably  known  in  the  Supreme  Body  of  the  Order;  and 
as  a  mark  of  respect,  for  a  long  and  faithful  life  in  the  Order,  the  National 
Council  at  its  session  held  at  Boston,  Mass.,  in  June  of  1907,  conferred 
on  him  the  honors  of  Past  National  Councilor.  He  is  also  an  active 
member  of  the  Senior  Order,  being  for  many  years  the  State  Council 
Treasurer. 

Brother  Kurtz  is  an  ardent  patriot,  of  pleasing  address,  unassuming, 
honorable  and  true.  For  years  he  has  served  as  a  government  employee 
in  the  United  States  Post  Office  of  his  native  city,  and  as  a  citizen,  lie 
represents  the  highest  standard. 

To  whatever  post  of  duty  or  trust  he  has  been  called  whether 
within  or  without  the  Order,  he  has  magnified  the  position  by  a  conscien- 
tious regard  for  truthfulness,  sincerity  and  honesty  relating  thereto. 


746  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

JOHN  O.  MONTANYE 
Past   State  Councilor  of  Pennsylvania. 

Brother  Montanye  was  initiated  into  the  Order  June  10,  1868,  being 
admitted  as  a  charter  member  of  Excelsior  Council,  No.  26,  of  Easton, 
Pa.,  on  which  date  the  Council  was  instituted  by  Edw.  S.  Deemer,  then 
State  Councilor.  He  was  admitted  to  the  State  Council  as  a  Representa- 
tive, October  16,  1868,  at  which  time  the  State  Body  met  quarterly.  At 
that  time  there  were  but  few  Councils  in  the  state  and  each  Council  was 
entitled  to  four  Representatives  to  the  State  Council.  The  regalia  worn 
by  the  Representatives  was  the  collar,  same  as  now  in  use  in  some  Councils, 
and  an  apron  with  the  name  and  number  of  the  Council  inscribed  thereon, 
without  which  no  one  had  the  right  to  speak  or  vote.  Brother  Montanye 
from  his  admission  in  the  State  Body  took  a  prominent  part  in  its  busi- 
ness, attending  all  the  sessions  regularly. 

In  1886  Brother  Montanye  was  elected  State  Councilor  and  presided 
over  the  State  Council  at  its  session  held  at  Erie  in  1887.  At  the  session 
of  the  State  Body  held  in  1885,  a  resolution  was  adopted  or  rather  an 
amendment  to  the  State  Council  Laws,  requiring  each  member  of  the 
Board  of  Officers  to  visit  each  Council  in  his  respective  District  at  least 
once  during  his  term  of  office.  Brother  Montanye  has  the  proud  dis- 
tinction of  being  the  first  State  officer  in  what  is  known  as  the  Middle 
District  to  visit  all  his  Councils  and  the  results  of  that  work  gave  a 
wonderful  uplift  to  the  Order  whereby  in  his  own  District  the  number 
of  Councils  was  increased  from  35  to  50. 

Brother  Montanye  was  admitted  to  the  National  Council  as  a  Past 
State  Councilor  at  its  session  held  in  New  York  City,  June,  1888,  and 
in  1894  he  was  appointed  Deputy  National  Councilor  by  National  Councilor 
J.  G.  A  Richter.  During  the  same  year  he  withdrew  from  No.  26  and 
connected  himself  with  Easton  Council,  No.  984,  being  also  a  charter 
member.  When  the  dark  days  of  1899  came  upon  the  Order,  Brother 
Montanye  and  his  Council  took  their  stand  for  loyalty  to  the  National 
Council  from  which  he  has  never  for  a  moment  swerved.  He  is  a  true 
Junior,  in  perfect  accord  with  its  principles  and  a  firm  believer  in  its 
doctrines. 

G.  HOWELL  ARTHUR 
Past   State  Councilor  of  Pennsylvania. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  born  in  Philadelphia,  May  30,  1852. 
He  was  initiated  in  Kensington  Council,  No.  5,  August  25,  1869,  from 
which  he  withdrew  in  September,  1871,  to  become  a  charter  member  of 
Science  Council,  No.  127,  at  the  organization  of  which  he  was  elected 
Vice-Councilor. 

After  becoming  a  Past  Councilor  he  held  the  office  of  Recording 
Secretary  for  a  time,  and  was  then  elected  Treasurer,  which  office  he  held 
for  a  number  of  years.  He  was  admitted  to  the  State  Council  of  Penn- 
sylvania at  the  Annual  Session,  January,  1872,  and  at  the  Annual  Session, 
January,  1875,  was  elected  State  Council  Conductor.  In  1880  he  was 
elected  State  Vice-Councilor,  and  at  the  Annual  Session  of  1881  was 
elected  State  Councilor. 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  747 

At  the  organization  of  the  Junior  American  Mechanics'  Funeral 
Benefit  Association,  January  1,  1882,  he  was  unanimously  elected  Presi- 
dent, which  office  ho  held  for  nine  years.  In  the  fall  of  1S77,  when  the 
subject  of  an  Official  Organ  for  the  Order  was  being  agitated,  Brother 
Arthur  took  an  active  part,  and  at  t lie  organization  of  the  Junior  Amer- 
ican Mechanics  Publishing  Association  he  became  its  Secretary,  which 
office  he  held  for  a  number  of  years,  rendering  valuable  service  in  the 
publication  of  the  "  Pink  Book." 

At  the  session  of  the  National  Council,  held  at  Pittsburg  in  June, 
1897,  Brother  Arthur  was  appointed  Chairman  of  the  Committee  on 
Finance,  on  which  Committee  he  served  continuously  for  ten  years.  The 
State  Council  of  Pennsylvania  also  had  the  benefit  of  his  services  as 
Chairman  of  its  Finance  Committee  for  seven  years, 

Brother  Arthur  is,  by  profession,  a  book-keeper,  holding  a  responsible 
position  with  one  of  the  leading  corporations  of  the  country.  He  is  also 
an  ex-President  of  the  Book-keeper'  Beneficial  Association  of  Philadel- 
phia, having  served  in  the  office  of  President  for  ten  years;  a  Past  Grand 
of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  having  been  treasurer  of  his 
lodge  for  over  twenty  years;  and  for  four  years  a  member  of  the  Finance 
Committee  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Pennsylvania. 

In  his  church  connection,  he  is  a  Presbyterian,  having  been  a  Ruling 
Elder  since  1889. 

Such  in  brief  is  the  story  of  a  manly  and  representative  man.  Tall, 
of  commanding  appearance  and  a  perfect  gentleman,  Brother  Arthur  has 
won  the  love  and  respect  of  his  compeers  both  in  the  State  Council  of 
Pennsylvania  and  the  National  Body.  His  services  to  the  Order  as  the 
Secretary  of  the  National  Finance  Committee  can  not  be  overestimated, 
which  work  was  conscientiously  and  carefully  done.  As  a  Reading  Clerk, 
he  has  never  been  excelled,  possessing  a  clear  strong  voice  that  could  be 
heard  in  all  parts  of  the  hall.  The  Order  surely  should  be  congratulated  in 
having  in  its  ranks  a  man  of  such  mental  and  moral  caliber. 

It  might  be  added,  that  when  the  O.  U.  A.  M.  and  the  Jr.  0.  U.  A.  M. 
paraded  in  Philadelphia,  July  8,  1876,  in  honor  of  the  Centennial  of 
Independence,  Brother  Arthur  was  Chief  Marshal  of  the  Junior  column 
which  so  proudly  marched  through  the  streets  of  the  Centennial  City  on 
that  hot  July  day. 

In  whatever  sphere  G.  Howell  Arthur  moves,  in  the  assemblies 
of  the  Order,  in  the  walks  of  society  or  in  the  Church,  he  is  the  same; 
and  wherever  the  kodak  is  turned  upon  him,  whether  as  a  Representativi 
of  the  Order,  as  a  factor  in  society  or  as  a  follower  of  God,  he  represent  a 
an  all-around  Christian  gentleman. 


F.  A.  BUSCHMAN 

Past  State  Councilor  of  Maryland  and  Recorder 
of    the    National    Judiciary. 

Francis  A.  Buschman  was  born  in  Baltimore  City,  July  8,  1854.  and 
spent  his  boyhood  days  in  the  public  schools,  completing  his  education  in 
the  City  College,  from  which  institution  he  graduated  in  1873.  Subse- 
quently he  was  appointed  a  clerk  in  the  Orphans'  Court  of  the  City  of 
Baltimore  and  was  one  of  its  Auditors  until   1S8G,  having  in  the  mean- 


748  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

time   been   admitted   to   the   bar,   since   which   time   he   has   been   a   prac- 
ticing attorney  in  the  courts  of  Maryland. 

Brother  Buschman  has  been  a  conspicuous  figure  in  the  work  and 
policy  of  the  Jr.  O.  U.  A.  M.  and  is  known  as  the  "  Demosthenes "  of 
Maryland.  He  united  with  the  Order  in  the  month  of  April  of  1882  by 
being  initiated  into  Baltimore  Council,  No.  1,  and  rapidly  had  the  highest 
honors  of  the  Council  conferred  upon  him  and  was  sent  as  a  Represen- 
tative to  the  State  Council,  which  body,  in  188G,  elected  him  State  Vice- 
Councilor  and  the  following  year  he  was  placed,  by  a  unanimous  vote, 
into  the  Chair  of  State  Councilor.  During  his  term  as  State  Councilor 
the  Order  in  Maryland  made  marked  advance,  and  through  his  instru- 
mentality the  organization  was  brought  into  greater  prominence  before 
the  public  eye.  Brother  Buschman  was  the  first  State  officer  to  visit, 
at  least  once,  each  Council  of  his  jurisdiction  thereby  "  setting  the  pace  " 
for  more  thorough  "  pastoral  visitations,"  and  when  he  laid  down  the 
gavel  of  authority  there  was  throughout  Maryland,  the  "  sound  of  a 
going  in  the  tops  of  the  mulberry  trees."  The  Order  in  the  state  up  to 
the  beginning  of  Brother  Buschman's  administration  was  confined,  with 
one  exception,  to  the  city  limits  of  Baltimore,  but  under  the  directing 
hand  of  our  brother  the  principles  of  the  organization  were  publicly 
presented  to  the  people  by  the  inaugurating  of  the  "  flag  movement "  by 
which  the  American  flag,  in  the  name  of  the  Order,  was  presented  to  the 
public  schools  of  Baltimore  as  well  as  to  many  in  the  state,  Brother 
Buschman  making  many  of  the  presentation  addresses.  As  a  result  of 
the  sentiment  thus  aroused,  Maryland  to-day  from  her  thousands  of  school 
buildings  recognizes  "  Old  Glory "  on  every  school  day  as  well  as  on  her 
holidays.  From  this  time  the  fires  of  patriotism  swept  onward  from 
town  to  hamlet  in  the  cause  of  Juniorism. 

It  was  during  Brother  Buschman's  term  as  State  Councilor  that 
the  National  Council  held  its  session  in  the  City  of  Baltimore,  in  June 
of  1887.  To  Brother  Buschman  was  assigned  the  honor  of  welcoming, 
in  the  name  of  the  Order  of  Maryland,  the  members  of  the  National  Body 
in  an  address  that  for  rhetoric  and  pathos  has  never  been  equalled  in  the 
annals  of  the  Order  in  the  reception  tendered  the  National  Council.  The 
address  was  received  with  such  favorable  comment  that  it  was  printed 
in  full  in  the  Proceedings  of  the  session,  an  honor  vouchsafed  to  no  other 
member  of  the  Order  previous  to  that  time.  During  the  existence  of 
the  Pink  Book,  our  brother  was  the  Editor  in  Chief  for  the  State*  of 
Maryland.  Brother  Buschman  has  attended  many  sessions  of  the  National 
Council  either  as  a  Representative  or  as  a  member  of  one  of  its  committees. 
In  1904  he  was  appointed  Recorder  to  the  National  Judiciary  which  posi- 
tion he  still  holds. 

The  writer  has  very  delightful  recollections  of  Brother  Buschman. 
When  the  National  Council  met,  in  1892,  at  Atlantic  City,  a  delegation 
from  the  Uniformed  Rank  of  Pittsburg,  Pa.,  was  admitted  to  the  hall, 
when  it  was  our  privilege,  in  the  name  of  the  Commandery,  to  present 
to  the  National  Council  an  engrossed  set  of  resolutions  in  appreciation  of 
the  courtesy  extended  toward  the  Uniformed  Rank  by  the  National  Body 
in  endorsing  the  organization  at  its  session  in  1891.  National  Councilor 
Boblits  then  called  upon  Brother  Buschman,  who,  in  most  eloquent  terms, 
accepted  same  in  behalf  of  the  National  Council.  With  Sohl,  Ogle  and 
others,  Brother  Buschman  has  worked  side  by  side. 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  749 

EERMAN  PAI\K 
State  Council    Secretary  of  California. 

For  pluck,  grit  and  a  determination  to  succeed  in  life,  there  are 
but  few  who  are  peers  to  Herman  Paine,  the  energetic  State  Council  S(  ere 
tary  of  California,  and  a  respected  citizen  of  that  great  Commonwealth. 
On  January  29,  1872,  in  Fremont,  Nebraska,  our  brother  saw  the  lighl 
of  day;  but  when  12  years  of  age,  he  with  his  parents  moved  to  Los 
Angeles,  California,  and  that  state  has  since  been  his  home. 

Brother  Paine  secured  a  good  common  school  education,  and  when 
but  a  young  man  obtained  a  position  in  the  office  of  an  architect  and 
learned  the  profession  of  a  draughtsman,  during  which  time  he  fitted 
himself  for  a  business  career  by  taking  a  night  course  in  a  commercial 
school.  In  a  short  time  he  found  himself  without  a  position,  his  employer 
iinding  business  dull,  removed  from  the  city.  Subsequently  we  find  our 
brother  in  the  mountains  employed  in  a  box  factory;  later  in  a  fruit 
basket  factory  in  Los  Angeles,  then  foreman  in  same  business  at  Oakland 
and  Portland,  Oregon.  Returning  to  California.  Brother  Paine  entered 
the  employ  of  the  Southern  Pacific  Railroad,  and  after  some  years'  ser- 
vice, accepted  a  position  with  the  Western  Basket  Manufacturing  Com- 
pany with  whom  he  has  been  connected  ever  since  ( 1907 ) . 

At  the  institution  of  Gen.  Geo.  A.  Custer  Council,  Xo.  22,  located 
at  Oakland,  December  11,  1894,  Brother  Paine  was  one  of  the  charter 
members,  and  was  elected  its  Recording  Secretary,  which  office  he  held 
continually  until  1904,  when,  on  account  of  his  living  in  San  Francisco, 
he  declined  reelection,  but  at  the  request  of  the  Council  he  was  elected 
Assistant  Secretary.  In  his  entire  career  as  a  member  and  as  an  officer 
of  his  Council  he  has,  up  to  October  15,  1904,  missed  but  four  meetings. 
In  1898  he  was  elected  to  represent  his  Council  in  the  State  Council, 
and  at  the  session  of  1899  he  was  elected  State  Council  Secretary  and 
to  which  position  he  has  succeeded  himself  each  year  since. 

That,  however,  which  has  endeared  Brother  Paine  to  the  Order,  not 
only  in  his  own  state,  but  throughout  the  entire  National  jurisdiction, 
was  his  heroic  services  rendered  to  the  members  of  the  Order  and  then 
families  when  the  City  of  San  Francisco  went  down  in  that  awful  calam- 
ity of  1906.  As  a  member  of  the  Committee  to  receive  and  distribute  the 
relief  funds  of  the  Order,  Brother  Paine  bore  a  most  prominent  part, 
and  honorably,  honestly  and  equitably  he  performed  his  duty,  there  not 
being  a  single  complaint.  But  this  was  the  least  part  of  Brother  Paine's 
work,  in  that  dreadful  year.  The  ruin  that  came  to  that  great  city  left 
75  per  cent,  of  the  members  of  the  Order  within  the  city  proper  without 
homes  or  shelter,  all  the  lodge  rooms  with  all  their  property  consumed, 
and  everything  was  in  confusion,  the  membership  scattered  and  dazed. 
But  Brother  Paine  entered  the  breach,  secured  temporary  quarters  for 
the  meetings  of  the  Councils  and  got  sufficient  paraphernalia  and  soon 
had  the  Councils  meeting  regularly  and  "  doing  business  at  the  old  stand  "; 
and  ere  the  year  passed,  every  Council  had  not  only  regained  their 
standing  but  made  gains  in  membership.  For  this  wonderful  achieve 
ment,  much  credit  is  due  State  Council  Secretary  Paine  and  State  Vice- 
Councilor  Shannon,  and  the  Order  in  California  should  appreciate  the 
sacrificing  energies  of  there  two  brethren. 


750  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

PROF.  CHARLES  P.  REEVES 
Past  National  Councilor  from  State  of  Washington. 

For  years  the  towering  form  of  Prof.  C.  F.  Reeves  has  been  a 
conspicuous  figure  of  the  sessions  of  the  National  Council,  who  is  known 
from  the  Atlantic  to  the  Pacific.  Born  in  the  East,  educated  in  the 
schools,  public,  academic  and  collegiate,  he  spent  the  earlier  years  of 
his  professional  career  as  an  instructor  in  the  State  College,  located 
at  State  College,  Pennsylvania,  then  removing  to  Seattle,  Washington, 
where  for  many  years  he  was  in  charge  of  Washington  University  located 
in  that  city,  but  at  present  is  engaged  in  real  estate  and  other  lines  of 
business. 

Soon  after  the  establishment  of  the  Jr.  O.  U.  A.  M.  in  the  State 
of  Washington,  Brother  Reeves  connected  himself  therewith,  and  because 
of  his  high  position  in  educational  circles  he  added  strength  to  the  new 
organization  and  was  soon  prominent  in  his  State  Council  where  he 
was  honored  by  being  elected  to  the  highest  place  in  the  gift  of  the 
body.  He  was  also  a  National  Representative  and  was  admitted  to  the 
National  Body  at  the  session  of  either  1895  or  1896  and  at  once  his 
ability  was  recognized  by  his  copatriots.  He  served  on  some  of  the 
important  Committees  of  the  National  Council,  one  of  which  was  on 
Ritual,  under  whose  direction  a  three-degree  Ritual  was  prepared  and 
submitted  at  the  session  of  1S99  and  the  same  was  exemplified  at  one 
session  of  the  National  Body.  At  the  same  session  he  was  placed  in 
nomination  for  the  office  of  National  Vice-Councilor  and  was  elected 
and  at  the  session  of  1900  he  was  advanced  to  the  Chair  of  National 
Councilor.  His  administration  came  at  the  time  when  internal  dissen- 
sions had  divided  the  Order  and  much  of  his  work  was  in  the  nature  of 
disciplining  recreant  State  Councils  and  maintaining  and  upholding  the 
Order  in  its  fight  against  an  unholy  rebellion.  His  son,  Carl  H.  Reeves, 
for  years,  was  the  State  Council  Secretary  of  Washington. 

ROBERT  FRANKLIN  HAMILTON 
State   Council    Secretary   of  Oklahoma    (Indian  Territory)- 

Brother  Hamilton  is  of  Southern  birth,  having  been  born  in  the 
State  of  Alabama,  November  10,  1848,  where  he  grew  up  as  other  boys 
and  early  in  life  was  fully  imbued  with  the  spirit  of  patriotism  and  love 
for  "  Old  Glory."  In  the  closing  years  of  the  Civil  War  he  enlisted  in 
the  Tenth  Ohio  Cavalry,  at  Shelbyville,  Tennessee,  and  served  until  the 
end  of  the  struggle.  On  January  0,  1868,  he  was  united  in  marriage  with 
Miss  Josephine  Jones,  of  Lincoln  County,  Tennessee,  and  together  they 
have  travelled  life's  pathway,  each  bravely  bearing  the  responsibilities 
that  came  in  their  way. 

It  is  as  a  Junior,  however,  that  Brother  Hamilton  is  best  known, 
especially  in  the  brotherhood.  When  he  took  up  his  residence  in  Indian 
Territory,  there  was  n't  a  Junior  in  the  Territory,  and  to  Brother  Hamil- 
ton belongs  the  honor  of  being  the  first  man  to  be  initiated  in  the  Order 
in  the  Territory,  and  at  once  he  became  an  ardent  believer  in  the  prin- 
ciples of  the  Jr.  O.  TJ.  A.  M.,  and  has  not  only  been  the  leader  of  the 
organization  in  his  state,  but  he  has  preached  its  doctrines  from  one 
end  to  the  other  •  hence  to  him  more  than  any  other  man  is  due  the  credit 


A.  W.  BARRUS 
State  Council  Secretary  of  Rhode  Island 


SAM.  F.   VANCE 

State  Council  Secretary  of  North  Carolina 


HERMAN  PAINE 

State  Council  Secretary  of  California 


R.  F.   HAMILTON 
State  Council  Secretary  of  Oklahoma 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  751 

of  the  establishment  and  progress  of  the  Order  in  that  jurisdiction. 
Brother  Hamilton  is  a  lluent  speaker  and  being  thoroughly  versed  in  the 
objects  and  principles  of  the  Order,  his  services  as  a  speaker  in  public 
meetings  and  at  Hag  raisings  is  very  much  in  demand.  Stopping  not  at 
sacrifice  of  time  or  money,  he  has  given  the  last  decade  of  his  life  (1!)<>7) 
in  the  cause  of  Virtue,  Liberty  and  Patriotism. 

Brother  Hamilton  was  personally  interested  in  the  organization  of 
the  first  Councils  of  his  state  and  was  a  leading  factor  in  the  institution 
of  the  State  Council  of  Indian  Territory,  of  which  be  was  a  charter 
member,  on  April  15,  1807.  and  was  elected  National  Representative  for 
five  years  and  was  in  attendance  at  Pittsburg  session  of  the  National 
Body  in  ISO",  also  Buffalo,  N.  Y.,  in  1901,  and  was  reelected  and  attended 
the  session  at  St.  Louis  in  1904.  At  the  session  of  the  State  Council  of 
1898,  Brother  Hamilton  was  elected  State  Council  Secretary  to  which 
position  he  has  succeeded  himself  at  the  expiration  of  each  term  since. 
Not  only  has  he  given  his  services  to  the  Order  in  his  own  state,  but  has 
worked  in  other  jurisdictions,  having  been  instrumental  in  the  organiza- 
tion of  eight  Councils  in  Arkansas  and  the  institution  of  the  State  Coun- 
cil. Since  the  two  Territories  have  been  united  to  form  the  State  of 
Oklahoma,  Brother  Hamilton  has  been  quite  active  in  planting  the  Order 
in  the  Oklahoma  portion  of  the  territory  and  is  doing  heroic  work.  In  a 
letter  to  the  writer  he  stated  that  he  was  then  in  the  field  and  intended 
to  work  for  the  organization  as  long  as  he  was  able,  and  thus  is  carrying 
out  the  statement  that  he  is  "  on  the  roaring  red  Firing  Line." 

State  Councilor  Bayless,  of  Indian  Territory,  in  his  report  to  the 
State  Council  in   1906  had  this  to  say: 

"  I  am  afraid  that  you  who  are  not  fully  acquainted  with  the 
duties  of  the  office  of  State  Council  Secretary,  do  not  know  how  to  appre- 
ciate our  worthy  Brother  Hamilton.  I  want  to  tell  all,  that  I  have  ever 
found  him  a  Junior  in  principle  and  truth." 

ARTHUR  W.  BARRUS 
State   Council    Secretary   of   Rhode   Island. 

Doubtless,  no  one  in  the  State  Council  of  Rhode  Island  stands  higher 
in  the  estimation  of  his  brethren  than  Arthur  W.  Barrus,  the  present 
State  Council  Secretary.  Descendant  of  sturdy  Puritan  stock,  he  was  born 
at  Falls  River,  Massachusetts,  in  the  year  1S65,  his  father's  name  being 
John  B.  and  his  mother's  Hannah  L.  Winslow,  she  being  the  seventh 
lineal  descendant  of  Governor  Winslow  of  Pilgrim  Rock  fame.  In  1866, 
he,  with  his  parents,  removed  to  Warren,  Ehode  Island  where,  at  the  age 
of  five  years,  he  entered  the  kindergarten  school,  and  when  he  arrived 
at  school  age,  he  entered  the  public  schools  where  he  remained  until  he 
was  18  years  of  age,  thereby  securing  a  good  common  school  education. 

Upon  leaving  school  he  entered  the  employ  of  J.  B.  &  S.  M.  Knowles, 
silversmiths,  Providence,  as  an  apprentice  in  the  engraving  trade.  In 
1887  he  took  a  position  in  the  Gorham  Manufacturing  Company  as  an 
engraver  where  he  is  still  employed.  His  gentlemanly  manner  and  sterling 
character  attracted  the  attention  of  both  his  employers  and  fellow -work- 
men, hence  step  by  step  he  has  risen  in  their  esteem  and  confidence. 
Brother  Barrus  is  a.  prominent  member  of  the  "  Gorman  Silversmiths' 
Mutual  Aid  Society,"  and  has  served  as  its  President. 


752  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

It  is  as  a  Junior,  however,  that  this  sketch  deals  more  especially. 
In  1896,  having  received  information  that  Miantonomah  Council,  No.  7, 
of  Providence,  Rhode  Island,  was  about  to  surrender  its  charter,  there 
being  but  22  members  left,  Brother  Barrus,  in  obeying  the  patriotic 
impulses  that  burned  in  his  heart,  authorized  his  application  to  be  sent 
in  for  membership  and  in  due  time  was  initiated.  At  that  time  the 
Council  held  its  meetings  in  the  center  of  the  city  but  on  becoming  a 
member  Brother  Barrus  induced  the  members  to  remove  the  meeting  place 
to  the  Elmwood  District  of  Providence,  the  immediate  vicinity  of  his 
home  and  the  Gorman  Manufacturing  Company,  promising  to  secure  a 
good  membership  for  the  Council  and  thus  prevent  disbandment,  Past 
State  Councilor  C.  L.  Place  became  interested  in  the  proposition  and 
acting  upon  the  suggestion  of  Brother  Barrus  secured  the  consent  of  the 
membership  for  removal,  and,  as  the  result  of  the  change  of  location,  the 
Council  has  between  100  and  200  members  and  is  one  of  the  strongest 
and  most  prominent  Councils  in  Rhode  Island,  composed  of  a  band  of 
progressive  and   patriotic  men. 

In  1902,  Brother  Barrus  was  elected  Recording  Secretary  of  his 
Council  and  has  been  continued  in  that  position  without  opposition  ever 
since.  In  September,  1903,  he  was  elected  State  Council  Secretary,  to 
which  position  he  has  been  successively  reelected  at  each  meeting  of 
the  State  Council.  His  courteous  bearing  and  marked  ability  so  impressed 
the  members  of  the  State  Body  that  with  a  unanimous  demand  he  was 
elected  to  the  position :  and  he  has  proven  himself  highly  worthy  of  the 
honor  that  was  thrust  upon  him,  in  the  dignity  and  efficiency  he  has 
brought  to  the  office. 

Brother  Barrus  is  not  only  an  influential  member  of  the 
Jr.  O.  U.  A.  M.,  but  is  connected  with  other  organizations  that  have  recog- 
nized his  ability  and  sterling  worth.  He  is  a  member  of  Elmwood  Lodge, 
Knights  of  Pythias,  being  a  Past  Chancellor,  and  at  the  present  time  is 
Master  of  Finance.  He  is  also  Past  Chief  of  the  Knights  of  the  Golden 
Eagle;  ex-Councilor  of  the  O.  U.  A.  M.,  though  not  at  present  affiliated 
with  the  Order;  member  of  North  Star  Lodge,  I.  O.  O.  F.  He  was  com- 
missioned Deputy  Grand  Chancellor  of  the  K.  of  P.  in  1904,  but  owing 
to  his  position  as  State  Council  Secretary,  he  was  compelled  to  resign. 
At  the  annual  meeting  of  the  Silversmiths'  Mutual  Aid  Society,  held  Jan- 
uary, 1905,  he  was  unanimously  reelected  President  for  the  second  term. 

SAM  F.  VANCE 

State  Council  Secretary  of  North  Carolina. 

One  of  the  brothers  who  has  had  much  to  do  in  shaping  the  policy 
of  the  Jr.  O.  U.  A.  M.  in  North  Carolina,  is  Brother  Sam  F.  Vance,  the 
accomplished  and  efficient  Secretary  of  the  State  Council.  The  birth -year 
of  Sam  F.  Vance  was  in  1864,  in  Forsythe  County,  same  state,  and  having 
passed  through  the  regular  course  of  the  public  school,  he  completed  his 
education  in  the  High  School  and  spent  several  years  in  the  cause  of 
education  by  following  the  avocation  of  teacher  in  the  public  schools  of 
his  native  state,  proving  himself  to  have  been  a  "workman  that  needed 
not  be  ashamed."  Subsequently  he  assumed  charge  of  a  manufacturing 
company,  being  its  manager  as  well  as  book-keeper,  which  responsible 
position  he  held  for  six  years,  resigning  in  order  to  accept  an  appoint- 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  758 

ment  tendered  him  of  Deputy  Clerk  in  the  Superior  Court  of  Forsythe 
County,  which  important  post  of  duty  he  filled  with  complete  satisfaction 
for  seven  years,  tendering  his  resignation  to  become  Assistant  Postmaster 
of  the  Winston-Salem  postoffice,  which  position  he  still  holds  at  this 
writing   (1907). 

During  these  active  business  and  professional  years,  Brother  Vance 
served  in  many  responsible  political  positions,  viz.:  County  Chairman 
of  the  Executive  Committee  for  two  years ;  Chairman  of  the  Eighth  Con- 
gressional Executive  Committee  for  two  years;  a  member  of  the  Board 
of  Alderman  of  his  city  for  two  years:  Mayor  pro  tern,  two  years;  in  all 
of  which  positions  our  brother  served  with  credit  and  honor. 

One  with  such  a  record,  intelligent  and  active,  thoroughly  imbued 
with  an  old-time  patriotism,  could  not  live  in  North  Carolina  very  long 
without  coming  in  contact  with  the  advancing  army  of  Juniors  that  as  an 
Order,  was  sweeping  over  the  state  under  the  leadership  of  Faison, 
Homey,  Webb  and  Preston.  In  the  year  1895  Brother  Vance  connected 
himself  with  the  Order  and  rapidly  passed  through  the  chairs  of  his 
Council,  Fairview,  No.  119,  which  he  represented  at  the  session  of  the 
State  Council,  held  at  Asheville,  in  1899.  Subsequently,  same  year,  he 
was  the  acting  State  Council  Secretary  for  a  few  months  owing  to  the 
absence  of  State  Council  Secretary  Preston  on  account  of  his  health,  and 
on  the  resignation  of  Brother  Preston,  in  July,  Brother  Vance  was  ap- 
pointed by  the  State  Executive  Board  to  fill  out  the  unexpired  term.  At 
the  session  of  1900,  he  was  elected  to  the  office,  and  at  each  session  since 
he  has  been  reelected  by  acclamation,  and  to-day  (1907)  is  still  occu- 
pying the  position  which  he  has  filled  with  satisfaction  and  credit. 

When  Brother  Vance  assumed  the  office  of  Secretary  of  the  State 
Council,  there  were  2700  members  in  the  Order  in  the  state;  to-day  the 
old  "  Tar  Heel  State "  stands  high  up  on  the  roll  of  states  with  15,000 
members.  Brother  Vance  has  also  been  honored  by  his  State  Council  by 
electing  him  a  Representative  to  the  National  Council.  He  is  also  promi- 
nent in  other  organizations,  being  Past  Consul  Commander  in  the  Wood- 
men of  the  World,  Past  Sachem  in  the  Improved  Order  of  Red  Men,  and 
a  member  of  the  Knights  of  Pythias. 

State  Councilor  Bennet  of  his  state,  says : 

"Brother  Vance  is  a  thoroughly  efficient  and  painstaking  man, 
earnest,  enthusiastic,  and  untiring.  His  work  is  always  well  done,  and 
done  at  the  right  time.  He  is  courteous,  affable,  well-posted  on  every 
point  of  law,  and  has  granted  me  every  facility  his  office  affords  in  my 
efforts  to  discharge  earnestly  and  conscientiously  the  duties  incumbent 
upon  me." 

CLARENCE  B.  JOHNSON 
Past  State  Councilor  of  Pennsylvania. 

In  priority  of  rank,  though  not  in  service,  the  first  of  the  "  Wilkes- 
Barre  Four"  (see  plate)  that  we  sketch  is  C.  B.  Johnson.  His  place  of 
birth  was  in  an  adjoining  county,  Columbia,  at  Espeytown,  which  occurred 
on  August  29,  1863.  We  are  without  data  as  to  his  early  life,  but  it  is 
presumed  that  he  secured  all  the  advantages  of  a  public  school  education 
before  turning  his  face  toward  the  realities  of  human  life. 

The  members  of  the  Order  in  Wyoming  Valley  as  well  as  the  state 

48 


754  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

at  large  know  Brother  Johnson  as  a  true  and  conscientious  Junior.  He 
was  initiated  into  Columbia  Council,  No.  43,  November  18,  1887,  where 
his  earnestness  and  enthusiasm  brought  him  recognition  and  placed  him 
in  the  limelight  and  soon  he  was  given  the  highest  honor  at  the  disposal 
of  the  Council  and  was  sent  as  a  representative  to  the  State  Council, 
into  which  body  he  was  admitted  September  20,  1892.  Prior  to  this, 
however,  he  served  as  Deputy  State  Councilor  from  1890  to  1892.  On 
September  19,  1894,  his  State  Council  selected  him  as  its  State  Vice-Coun- 
cilor and  at  the  annual  session  in  1895  he  was  unanimously  elected  State 
Councilor  and  on  June  16,  1896,  he  was  admitted  to  the  National  Council. 

The  writer  served  two  years  with  Brother  Johnson  on  the  State 
Board  of  Officers,  and  it  is  with  pleasure  that  we  bear  testimony  to  his 
faithfulness  to  duty  and  his  unswerving  devotion  in  propagating  the 
principles  of  the  Order.  His  term  as  State  Councilor  was  a  year  of 
most  exacting  work,  giving  all  his  time  to  the  organization,  spending 
nearly  200  days  in  the  field  visiting  and  encouraging  Councils  in  his 
official  capacity;  and  in  doing  so  he  did  not  seek  out  the  large  and  best 
located  Councils,  of  easy  access,  but  gave  special  attention  to  the  remote 
Councils  far  from  railroad  lines  where  a  State  Officer  was  seldom  seen. 
In  this  self-sacrificing  labor  he  won  the  love  and  esteem  of  the  brotherhood 
in  the  rural  districts  where  the  struggle  to  cope  with  discouragements  was 
the  greatest. 

As  a  citizen  Brother  Johnson  represents  a  high  type;  as  a  man  he 
is  without  reproach.  Serving  as  an  officer  of  the  court  he  was  entrusted 
with  a  responsible  mission  to  Europe  and  faithfully  discharged  same. 
Genial  and  pleasant  in  manner,  he  is  respected  by  the  fraternity  with 
whom  for  years  he  has  labored  to  plant  Juniorism  in  that  section  of 
the  Keystone  State. 

B.  FRANK  MYERS 
Past  State  Councilor  of  Pennsylvania. 

B.  Frank  Myers,  Past  State  Councilor  of  Pennsylvania,  was  born  at 
Sylvis,  Clearfield  County,  Pa.,  April  26,  1863,  and  after  obtaining  an 
education  he  removed  to  Luzerne  County  and  settled  at  Wanamie  and 
later  in  Wilkes-Barre  where  he  entered  the  profession  of  law  and  has  a 
prominent  place  at  the  bar,  having  served  some  years  as  Assistant  District 
Attorney  for  Luzerne  County. 

His  introduction  to  the  Order  was  in  Wanamie  Council,  No.  549,  by 
initiation,  November  13,  1891,  and  was  elected  Councilor  July  1,  1894. 
He  was  elected  Representative  to  the  State  Council,  into  which  body  he  was 
admitted  September  17,  1895.  In  1896-1897  he  served  by  appointment 
of  the  writer  as  Deputy  State  Councilor  and  gave  eminent  satisfaction. 

When  the  State  Council  of  Pennsylvania  was  in  the  throes  of 
rebellion,  the  question  that  confronted  the  leaders  of  the  body  was,  who 
to  select  as  State  Vice-Councilor.  The  exigencies  of  the  hour  made  it 
imperative  that  a  man  peculiarly  fitted  and  endowed  with  prudence,  good 
sense,  and  at  the  same  time  to  be  possessed  with  courage,  should  be 
selected,  into  whose  hands  eventually  would  be  placed  the  helm  of  the  old 
ship  then  storm-tossed  and  in  turbulent  waters.  However,  it  was  not 
difficult  to  find  the  "man  of  the  hour"  and  the  session  of  1900  elected 
Brother   Mvers   to   fill   the  office   of   State   Vice-Councilor   and   the   State 


C.  B.  JOHNSON 
Past  State  Councilor  of  Pennsylvania 


B.   FRANK   MYERS 
Past  State  Councilor  of  Pennsylvania 


A 

s~^<m 

H 

fw:m 

Pi 

— 

I.    V.   ROBBINS 

Past  National  Representative  from   Penn- 
sylvania 


CYRUS  S.   WEISS 

Past  National  Representative  from  Penn- 
sylvania 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  755 

Body  never  had  cause  to  regret  its  choice.  The  year  following,  September 
17,  1901,  he  was  unanimously  elected  to  preside  over  the  Slate  Council 
and  direct  the  Order  in  its  most  critical  time;  however  with  faith 
undimmed,  courage  not  an  iota  relaxed  and  enthusiasm  unabated,  with 
a  divided  state  and  two  State  Councils  in  operation  and  a  flood-tide  of 
scurrillous  and  untruthful  literature  pouring  over  the  commonwealth 
denouncing  the  loyalists,  Brother  Myers  entered  upon  his  term  with  a 
consciousness  that  justice  and  righteousness  would  prevail  in  settling  the 
deplorable  controversy.  It  was  not  to  be  expected  that  in  fighting  a 
campaign  on  the  defensive  and  the  failure  of  the  courts  to  decide  which 
was  the  true  State  Council  there  would  be  any  progress  in  the  Order  dur- 
ing his  administration ;  however,  with  all  the  obstacles  that  he  had  to 
contend  with,  Brother  Myers  turned  the  tide  upward,  there  being  a  gain 
of  73  members,  and  ever  since  there  has  been  increasing  gains  some  years 
running  into  the  thousands. 

Although  standing  four-square  for  loyalty  and  principle,  Brother 
Myers  was  conciliatory  and  extended  the  generous  hand  to  those  who  in 
the  early  years  of  the  strife  were  neutral  and  had  been  misled  by  fiery 
leaders  on  the  part  of  the  insurgent  element. 

Brother  Myers  has  attended  every  session  of  the  State  Council 
since  his  admission  therein  and  during  the  year  1906-1907  he  gave  to 
the  Order  the  benefit  of  a  legal  mind  in  shaping  and  working  for  the 
passage  of  statutory  laws  in  the  interest  of  the  public  schools  of  the 
state,  being  Chairman  of  the  State  Legislative  Committee.  The  greatest 
uplift  that  was  given  the  public  schools  of  the  state  by  the  General  Assem- 
bly in  which  the  Committee  had  a  prominent  part  was  the  increase  of 
the  appropriation  to  the  public  schools  of  two  million  of  dollars  a  year. 
At  the  same  session  the  minimum  salaries  of  school  teachers  was  placed 
at  $40  per  month.  Brother  Myers  has  been  reappointed  to  same  committee 
for  1907-1908. 

Personally  Brother  Myers  is  a  man  of  many  good  parts  and  attractive 
qualities,  whom  to  know  is  to  respect  and  love.  Wise  and  sagacious  in 
judgment,  public  spirited  but  safely  conservative  in  purpose,  he  is  looked 
upon  as  a  safe  counselor.  The  courtly  dignity  which  is  a  characteristic 
of  our  brother  is  no  more  marked  than  the  easy  grace,  suavity  and  sweet- 
ness of  manner  which  he  carries  into  all  relations  of  life. 


I.  V.  JtOBBINS 

Past    National    Representative    from    Pennsylvania. 

In  a  pretty  little  home  in  the  City  of  Wilkes-Barre,  Pa.,  where  a 
devoted  wife  rules  with  a  gentle  hand,  lives  the  subject  of  this  sketch- 
Isaac  V.  Robbins,  familiarly  known  and  commonly  called  "  Ike "  by  the 
"  boys."  Our  brother  was  born  in  the  county  in  which  he  has  lived  all 
his  life — Luzerne — (Pennsylvania)  at  Newton,  May  11,  1859.  He  grew 
up  just  like  all  other  boys  and  secured  what  education  he  could  in  the 
public  schools  and  early  in  life  began  the  battle  of  life.  For  years  he 
served  in  clerical  positions  of  one  kind  and  another,  much  of  the  time 
being  engaged  in  office  work  in  connection  with  either  the  county  or  city 
and  was  always  looked  upon  as  a  most  careful  and  honest  accountant. 
About  the  year  1900,  there  being  a  vacancy  in  the  office  of  Alderman  of 


756  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

one  of  the  prominent  wards  of  the  City  of  Wilkes-Barre,  Brother  Robbins 
became  an  applicant  for  the  office  by  appointment,  and  with  the  very  best 
men  of  the  city  for  his  sponsors,  it  was  with  no  difficulty  that  his  appoint- 
ment was  secured  from  the  then  Governor  Stone;  and  at  the  regular 
election  following  he  was  elected  for  a  term  of  five  years,  and  at  the  end 
of  that  time  was  reelected  for  the  same  number  of  years.  In  the  conduct 
of  his  office  he  has  been  recognized  as  an  efficient  as  well  as  a  conscientious 
officer  of  the  law. 

While  far  from  an  old  man,  Brother  Robbins  in  that  section  of  the 
state  is  recognized  as  one  of  the  "  veterans "  of  the  Order,  having  been 
initiated  into  Ashley  Council,  No.  149,  January  24,  1881.  When  Columbia 
Council,  No.  43,  was  instituted,  February  4,  1883  he  became  a  member  by 
card  going  in  as  a  charter  member,  since  which  time  this  old  Council  has 
been  his  Junior  home,  having  quite  early  in  its  history  "  passed  the 
chairs,"  and  then  was  admitted  to  the  State  Council  as  its  Representative, 
July  17,  1888,  at  which  time  the  session  of  the  body  was  held  in  his  home 
town.  Previous  to  this,  however,  in  1887,  Brother  Robbins  was  elected 
Recording  Secretary  of  his  Council  and  for  20  years  he  has  filled  the  office 
of  "  scribe,"  and  the  indications  are  that  he  will  continue  to  serve  the 
Council  the  remainder  of  his  life. 

The  story  of  Juniorism  in  the  Wyoming  Valley  cannot  be  told  and 
leave  Brothers  Robbins  and  Weiss  out  of  the  romance.  In  those  early 
days  when  rapid  transit  or  in  fact  any  transit  outside  of  foot,  horse  or 
carriage  was  unknown  in  many  parts  of  Luzerne  and  Lackawanna  counties, 
these  two  brothers  at  their  own  expense  hired  livery  teams  or  walked 
to  the  outlying  towns  and  hamlets  to  plant,  institute  and  visit  Councils, 
thereby  laying  the  foundation  for  the  wonderful  growth  that  has  come  to 
the  Order  in  that  section. 

Brother  Robbins  took  a  conspicuous  part  in  the  proceedings  of  his 
State  Council,  and  in  1889  he  was  elected  Representative  to  the  National 
Council  and  attended  that  body  at  Chicago,  Illinois;  Cleveland,  Ohio; 
Atlantic  City,  New  Jersey;  Detroit,  Michigan,  and  Asheville,  North 
Carolina.  At  the  session  of  the  National  Council  in  1892,  Brother  Rob- 
bins was  the  author  of  the  resolution  that  brought  about  the  adoption 
of  the  uniform  order  of  the  password.  During  the  year  1888-1889  he  was 
Deputy  State  Councilor.  For  the  year  1892  to  1893  he  was  Deputy 
National  Councilor  of  Pennsylvania  and  was  Chairman  of  the  State 
Council  Committee  on  Appeals  from  1898  to  1900.  Under  two  State 
Councilors  of  Pennsylvania  he  served  as  State  Councilor's  clerk,  viz.:  C. 
B.  Johnson,  1895  to  1896,  and  B.  Frank  Myers,  1901  to  1902.  He  brought 
to  the  State  Councilor's  office  a  fully  equipped  mind,  having  a  thorough 
knowledge  of  the  laws  and  rulings  of  the  Order,  thereby  giving  valuable 
assistance  to  the  State  Councilor.  During  the  years  1902-1904  he  was 
Chairman  of  Special  Committee  on  Digest  of  the  State  Council  of  Penn- 
sylvania, a  position  for  which  he  was  preeminently  fitted. 

Brother  Robbins  has  a  host  of  friends;  genial,  honest  and  open- 
hearted,  all  who  know  "  Ike  "  think  and  speak  kindly  of  him.  Should  he 
ever  need  assistance  in  any  manner,  there  are  a  thousand  hands  in  the 
Wyoming  Valley  that  would  go  out  to  him,  not  only  of  Juniors  but  of 
citizens  who  have  known  him  all  his  life. 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  75? 

CYRUS  S.  WEISS 
Past    National    Representative    from    Pennsylvania. 

The  last  of  the  "  Wilkes-Barre  Four  "  that  comes  within  this  pur- 
view, one  who  has  been  in  the  limelight  of  the  Order  for  more  than  20 
years,  is  the  "  Sage  of  Wyoming  " — the  Neater  of  Juniorism  in  Luzerne 
County — Cyrus  S.  Weiss.  Since  the  hour  of  his  birth,  at  Drums,  July  22, 
1866,  Brother  Weiss  has  been  a  resident  of  Luzerne  County,  Pa.,  and 
for  many  years  he  has  resided  in  the  City  of  Wilkes-Barre  and  is  one 
of  its  foremost  citizens. 

Beared  in  the  midst  of  this  thriving  industrial  region  and  having 
entered  early  the  arena  of  life  to  fight  his  own  battle  the  best  he  could, 
Brother  Weiss  has  demonstrated  the  fact  that  energy,  faithfulness  to 
duty  and  red-hot  enthusiasm  brings  its  own  reward.  Having  entered  the 
employ  of  the  Miner-Hilliard  Milling  Company,  it  was  not  long  until 
his  business  qualifications  were  recognized  and  for  many  years  he  has 
been  the  General  Manager  of  this  great  business  that  has  milling  estab- 
lishments in  various  sections  of  the  country  and  ships  its  products  to 
all  parts  of  the  world. 

To  tell  the  story  of  Juniorism  in  the  Wyoming  Valley  and  leave 
Cyrus  S.  Weiss  out  of  the  romance,  is  to  portray  upon  the  stage  some 
great  drama  and  leave  out  the  central  figure  in  the  performance.  Brother 
Weiss  was  "  made  "  a  Junior  in  old  Ashley  Council,  No.  149,  the  mother 
of  all  Councils  in  the  Wyoming  Valley,  August  5,  1885,  but  withdrawing 
therefrom  he  organized  Wilkes-Barre  Council,  No.  161,  and  was  admitted 
a  charter  member  by  card  at  its  institution,  May  30,  1887.  In  1888  he 
was  admitted  to  the  State  Council  of  Pennsylvania  as  a  Representative 
of  his  Council  and  Avas  appointed  a  member  of  the  Credential  Committee. 
He  served  as  Deputy  State  Councilor  from  1889  to  1890.  It  was  in 
these  formative  years  of  the  Order  in  that  section  of  the  state  that  Brother 
Weiss,  ably  assisted  by  Past  National  Representative  I.  V.  Robbins,  gave 
to  the  organization  his  self-sacrificing  services.  As  the  little  towns  began 
to  develop  in  that  anthracite  coal  region,  these  two  wide-awake  patriots, 
either  on  foot  or  by  carriage  at  their  own  expense,  carried  the  gospel 
of  Juniorism  to  these  growing  suburbs  of  Wilkes-Barre  and  Scranton 
and  planted  the  banner  of  the  Order  in  every  community.  To-day  as 
nearly  every  section  of  this  bustling  territory  can  be  reached,  either  by 
the  steam  car  or  trolley,  the  modern-day  Junior  has  but  little  realization 
of  the  work  and  self-denial  of  the  leaders  of  the  Order  in  those  early 
days. 

The  State  Council,  at  its  session  of  1895,  conferred  upon  Brother 
Weiss  a  merited  honor  by  electing  him  Representative  to  the  National 
Council  for  a.  term  of  five  years ;  and  in  this  capacity  he  attended  the 
sessions  of  that  body  at  Denver  in  1890.  Pittsburg  in  1897,  Louisville  in 
1898,  Minneapolis  in  1899,  and  Philadelphia  in  1900.  The  State  Board 
of  Officers  appointed  him  Chairman  of  the  Committee  on  Appeals  in  1897 
and  a  member  of  the  Legislative  Committee  in  1900,  and  was  Chairman 
of  same  during  1903,  1904  and  1905.  A  number  of  meritorious  law- 
bearing  on  the  schools  and  other  issues  in  harmony  with  the  Order  were 
enacted  by  the  Legislature  during  his  incumbency  on  said  Committee. 
It  might  be  noted  that  since  his  admission  to  the  State  Council  in  1888, 


758  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

Brother   Weiss   has   either   in  an   official   or   un-official   capacity   attended 
each  session  since    (1907). 

Intensely  patriotic,  thoroughly  loyal,  possessing  remarkable  quali- 
ties of  leadership,  Brother  Weiss  is  recognized  as  the  foremost  Junior  in 
that  section  of  the  state.  While  he  is  a  leader,  he  is  in  no  sense  a 
'"  boss,"  demonstrating  the  fact  that  a  man  may  lead  and  not  be  charged 
with  "  bossism."  As  a  man  and  citizen  he  is  an  acknowledged  factor  in 
the  community,  heartily  aiding  in  the  success  of  what  he  honestly  believes 
to  be  patriotic  and  right,  and  sturdily  setting  his  face  against  what  seems 
to  him  to  be  impolitic  and  wrong.  His  life  is  full  of  activity  in  every 
sphere  with  which  he  is  connected  and  everywhere  he  exhibits  a  force 
that  is  to  be  reckoned  with  when  cooperative  motion  is  required  or  oppo- 
sition is  feared.  Genial,  generous,  hospitable,  sympathetic  and  sincere, 
he  is  a  friend  most  precious.  Loyal,  devout,  optimistic,  he  is  a  lover  of 
the  church  and  its  ministrations.  An  exemplar  of  domestic  virtue,  he  is  the 
beloved  of  the  home  where  he  is  surrounded  by  an  interesting  family — and 
seconded  by  a  devoted  wife,  most  courteous  hospitality  is  dispensed 
to  his  friends. 

STATE  COUNCILOR  JEFFREY 
State  Councilor  of  Vermont,  1907-1908. 

State  Councilor  Jeffrey,  of  Vermont,  is  a  typical  New  Englander, 
springing  from  pure  Colonial  stock,  a  descendant  of  the  Jeffreys  of 
Chittingly  Manor,  England,  his  ancesters  being  prominent  in  the  war 
of  the  Revolution.  His  native  state,  however,  is  Maine,  where  he  was 
born  in  1867,  and  subsequently  removed  to  Vermont.  His  education  was 
secured  in  the  ';  peoples  college,"  the  "  Little  Red  Schoolhouse,"  and  after 
graduating  from  the  "  University  of  Nature,"  he  read  law,  but  being 
inclined  towards  journalism,  he  took  up  newspaper  work  and  has  been 
a  contributor  to  magazines  and  papers  for  years.  He  is  also  a  historical 
waiter  and  book  publisher  and  has  considerable  ability  as  a  public  speaker 
and  lecturer. 

Brother  Jeffrey's  induction  into  the  Jr.  O.  U.  A.  M.  is  of  comparative 
recent  date;  but  he  was  no  stranger  to  its  principles,  as  for  20  years  he 
had  been  drinking  from  the  springs  of  patriotism  as  found  in  the 
0.  U.  A.  M.,  familiarly  known  as  the  "  Senior  Order."  Entering  the 
Junior  Order  through  the  portals  of  General  Sheridan  Council,  No.  26, 
of  Vermont,  he  at  once  became  an  active  worker,  filling  various  offices 
and  represented  the  Council  in  the  State  Council,  where  his  abilities  were 
quickly  recognized,  and  in  1906  he  was  elected  S.  V.  C.  and  1907  was  pro- 
moted to  the  Chair  of  State  Councilor,  by  an  unanimous  vote. 

During  the  first  six  months  of  his  term  he  instituted  six  new 
councils  and  increased  the  membership  in  the  State  thirty  per  cent., 
and  in  every  department  of  our  work  under  his  administration  Vermont 
has  done  her  full  share,  ever  forging  to  the  front  until  she  leads  all 
the  sister  states  of  New  England  in  point  of  members  and  increase. 

Brother  Jeffrey  is  a  thorough  patriot,  an  ardent  Junior  and  a  clear 
exponent  of  the  principles  of  the  Order.  The  Order  in  Vermont  is  cer- 
tainly honored  in  having  at  its  head  one  in  whose  veins  the  blood  of 
the  "  Minute  Men  "  tingles  and  who  is  ever  ready  to  maintain  the  prin- 
ciples for  which  they  fought  and  died. 


STATE  COUNCILOR  JEFFREY 
of  Vermont  1907-1908 


A.  E.  WHITE 
State  Council  Secretary  of  Vermont 


C.  J.  KING 
State  Council  Treasurer  of  Vermont 


w.  i-:.  OIDDINCS 
Past  State  Councilor  of  Vermont 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  759 

In  1887,  Brother  Jeffrey  was  married  to  Sarah  A.  Hughes,  hy  which 
union  one  child,  a  daughter,  was  born.  June  12,  1891,  he  married  for 
his  second  wife,  Nellie  Amelia  Jenkins,  who  has  four  revolutionary  an- 
cestors.    Five  children  brought  sunshine  to  the  home  through  this  union. 

The  highest  standard  of  manhood  is  made  up  of  three  qualifications, 
viz.:  Love  of  mother,  love  for  children  and  respect  for  old  age.  He  who 
comes  up  to  this  standard  is  a  man  every  inch  of  him.  With  Brother 
.Jeffrey  the  second  of  these  qualifications  is  true,  as  he  is  the  children's 
friend  and  every  child  in  his  town  knows  him.  The  writer  ventures  a 
statement,  that  Brother  Jeffrey  comes  up  to  the  other  two  qualifications 
that  make  the  man,  as  referred  to. 

Brother  Jeffrey  has  traveled  extensively  and  has  accumulated  in 
his  life  a  large  library,  some  of  the  works  being  rare,  while  on  every 
hand  in  his  home  there  is  the  evidence  of  a  veritable  treasure  in  litera- 
ture, portraiture  and  autographic  signatures  of  prominent  and  great 
men.  Being  of  a  historical  turn  of  mind,  he  has  compiled  and  published 
several  historical  works,  relating  to  the  government  of  Maine  and  Ver- 
mont and  other  local  and  biographical  publications. 

On  September  5,  1907,  Brother  Jeffrey  was  commissioned  by  National 
Councilor  H.  C.  Schaertzer,  Deputy  National  Councilor  of  Massachusetts, 
and  in  that  capacity  attended  the  session  of  the  State  Council  and  per- 
formed his  duties  on  September  17,  1907. 

Brother  Jeffrey  is  not  only  an  ardent  Junior,  but  he  is  also  a  member 
of  Olympia  Lodge,  Knights  of  Pythias,  being  its  Prelate,  and  is  a  member 
of  Martha  Washington  Council,  D.  of  L.  He  is  a  prominent  member  of 
the  Vermont  State  Historical  Society;  also  of  the  Vermont  Society,  Sons 
of  the  American  Revolution. 


ARTHUR  E.  WHITE 
Past    State   Councilor   and    State   Council    Secretary   of    Vermont. 

Arthur  E.  White,  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  born  in  Barre, 
Vermont,  August  21,  1866,  being  the  youngest  of  two  sons  of  Elijah  E. 
and  Sarah  M.  White.  When  four  years  of  age  his  parents  removed  to 
Montpelier,  same  state,  which  city,  with  the  exception  of  brief  periods 
of  residence  in  nearby  towns  which  the  calling  of  the  elder  White  necessi- 
tated, has  been  his  home  ever  since.  He  received  a  common  school  edu- 
cation after  which  he  learned  the  trade  of  carpenter  and  joiner  which 
occupation  he  followed  until  he  engaged  in  the  service  of  "  Uncle  Sam  " 
as  a  letter  carrier  at  the  Montpelier  postoffice,  May  1,  1900. 

Brother  White's  connection  with  the  Order  dates  from  June  27. 
1897,  at  which  time  he  became  a  member  of  Green  Mountain  Council, 
No.  9,  being  elected  same  evening  to  the  position  of  Conductor,  and  subs*- 
quently  advanced  to  the  Chairs  of  the  Council.  He  was  elected  to 
represent  his  Council  in  the  State  Council  in  1899,  and  at  the  session  held 
at  Norwich  same  year  he  was  chosen  State  Vice-Councilor  and  at  the 
session  of  1900,  held  at  Montpelier,  he  was  advanced  to  the  Chair  of 
State  Councilor  and  served  in  that  position  with  credit. 

In  May,  1900,  he  was  appointed  by  the  Board  of  Officers  National 
Representative  and  in  that  capacity  attended  the  sessions  of  the  National 


760  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

Council  at  Philadelphia,  in  1900;  Buffalo  and  Milwaukee,  in  1901  and 
1902;  and  at  the  latter  session  was  elected  National  Sentinel  and  made 
the  trans-continental  trip  to  the  San  Francisco  session  in  1903. 

Upon  the  refusal  of  Brother  F.  W.  Hawley  in  1904  to  longer  servt 
as  State  Council  Secretary  of  Vermont,  Brother  White  was  selected  as 
his  successor  and  has  been  reelected  at  each  session  since.  He  not  only 
has  been  faithful  in  discharge  of  his  duties  both  in  State  and  National 
Council,  but  in  his  Subordinate  Council  he  is  a  true  servant  of  the  Order, 
rarely  absent  from  his  post  of  duty,  that  of  Recording  Secretary.  So  far 
as  the  principles  of  the  Order  are  concerned,  none  believes  more  thor- 
oughly in  them  than  our  esteemed  brother.  Among  his  brethren,  none 
stand  more  highly.  Those  who  have  come  in  contact  with  him  in  the 
National  Body,  found  in  him  a  typical  Junior,  an  ardent  patriot  and  a 
courteous  gentleman. 

CLAUD  J.  KING 
State  Council  Treasurer  of  Vermont. 

Possessing  the  faculty  of  winning  men  by  his  genial  disposition 
Brother  Claud  J.  King  of  Vermont  is  eminently  popular  with  his  asso- 
ciates in  the  organization.  He  was  born  in  Glover,  Vermont,  in  1872, 
being  the  son  of  Joseph  G.  and  Mary  J.  King.  After  securing  a  good 
common  school  education,  he  learned  the  trade  of  carpentry  and  subse- 
quently engaged  in  the  business  of  building  contractor,  but  later  entered 
into  mercantile  business.  He  was  appointed  postmaster  of  Glover  and 
continued  in  that  office  from  October  28,  1901,  to  February  22,  1907. 

In  1904  Brother  King  identified  himself  with  the  Jr.  O.  U.A.M. 
by  becoming  a  charter  member  of  Orleans  Council,  No.  40,  of  Vermont, 
and  at  once  his  zeal  and  enthusiasm  was  recognized  by  his  brethren  in 
conferring  upon  him  the  highest  honors  within  the  gift  of  the  Council, 
and  as  the  Representative  of  the  Council  he  attended  the  Statel  Council 
session  at  St.  Johnsbury,  October,  1905,  at  which  session  he  was  elected 
to  the  office  he  now    (1908)    holds — State  Council  Treasurer. 

Brother  King  is  known  as  a  "  hustler,"  whose  boundless  energy  and 
intensity  of  purpose  are  the  impelling  forces  of  his  strong  patriotic  nature, 
the  results  of  which  are  seen  in  the  great  prosperity  of  his  home  Coun-- 
cil  where  his  influence  has  had  marked  effect.  He  is  distinctly  a  fraternity 
man,  being  a  member  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.  and  the  Masonic  brotherhood.  He 
is  esteemed  by  all  who  know  him,  stands  high  in  the  community  and  is 
surcharged  with  true  American  patriotism,  and  is  thoroughly  imbued 
with  the  doctrines  of  the  Order. 

WILLIAM  E.  GIDDINGS 
Past  State  Councilor  of  Vermont. 

In  the  year  1872,  at  Chester,  Vermont,  William  E.  Giddings,  now 
of  Springfield,  same  state,  entered  the  arena  of  life.  Having  graduated 
from  both  the  common  and  graded  schools  of  his  state  he  served  an 
apprenticeship  at  carriage  making.  Subsequently  he  settled  on  a  farm 
and  remained  four  years,  when  he  moved  to  Springfield  and  has  ever  since 
followed  his   chosen  occupation,  that  of  carriage  making. 


BION  F.  HUMPHREY 
Past  National  Representative  of  Vermont 


E.  F.  STARKEY 
Past  State  Councilor  of  Vermont 


C.  W.  COFFRAN 
Past  State  Councilor  of  Vermont 


C.  E.  HARRIS 
Past  State  Treasurer  of  Vermont 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  76l 

In  April  of  1891),  Brother  Giddings  became  a  member  of  Gen.  Stark 
Council,  No.  35,  Jr.  0.  U.  A.  M.,  and  in  June  following  was  elected  Fin- 
ancial Secretary,  in  which  position  he  served  G  years,  when  he  was  elected 
Recording  Secretary  which  olliee  he  retains.  In  19U2  he  was  elected  Rep- 
resentative to  the  State  Council  and  was  admitted  to  the  Stale  Body 
same  year;  in  1904  he  was  elected  State  Council  Warden;  in  1905  he 
was  chosen  State  Vice-Councilor  and  the  year  subsequent,  1900,  he  was 
placed  in  the  Chair  of  State  Councilor,  in  which  office  he  served  the  Order 
with  acceptability,  his  administration  being  successful,  one  Council  having 
been  instituted  and  several  reorganized,  there  being  a  gain  in  membership 
of  nearly  200.  In  1907  he  was  appointed  by  the  State  Council  Board  of 
Officers  National  Representative  and  attended  the  National  Council  at 
Boston,  where  he  was  elected  National  Outside  Sentinel. 

Brother  Giddings  is  also  prominent  in  other  organizations,  being 
a  member  of  Red  Cloud  Tribe,  No.  IS,  I.  O.  R.  M.,  Past  Chancellor  of 
K.  of  P.,  a  member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity  and  Clerk  of  Springfield 
Camp,  M.  W.  A. 

CHARLES  W.  COFFRAN 
National   Representative  and   Past   State   Councilor   of   Vermont. 

Charles  W.  Coif  ran,  Past  State  Councilor  and  National  Represen- 
tative of  the  State  of  Vermont,  was  born  in  Sheffield,  Vermont,  and  resided 
in  that  town  for  thirty-five  years,  (where  he  followed  the  occupation 
of  farming)  when  he  removed  to  Lyndon.  For  the  past  10  years  he  has 
been  a  travelling  salesman  for  the  International  Harvester  Co. 

He  joined  the  Junior  Order  about  10  years  ago,  and  at  once  became 
active  in  its  work,  passing  through  the  various  chairs  to  that  of  Councilor 
where  he  served  two  terms.  He  entered  the  State  Council  at  the  St. 
.Johnsbury  session  in  1901  and  has  attended  every  session  since  that  time. 
He  was  elected  State  Council  Warden  at  the  Wheelock  session  of  1902 
and  served  two  terms.  At  the  St.  Johnsbury  session  of  1905  he  was  chosen, 
unanimously,  as  State  Councilor,  and  at  the  Glover  session  of  1900,  was 
elected  National  Representative  for  four  years  and  attended  the  1907 
session  of  that  body  at  Boston. 

BION  F.  HUMPHREY 
National   Representative   from   Vermont. 

Among  the  prominent  members  of  the  Jr.  Order,  in  the  "  Green 
Mountain  State,"  there  is,  perhaps,  none  more  worthy  of  mention  in  this 
work  than  Brother  Bion  F.  Humphrey,  of  East  Burke,  Vermont.  He  was 
born  in  St.  Johnsbury,  July  20,  1857,  and  received  his  education  in  the 
free  public  schools  of  Burke.  When  General  Sheridan  Council,  No.  26, 
Jr.  Order  United  American  Mechanics,  was  organized,  he  was  the  first 
to  sign  the  charter  list;  he  has  filled  various  offices  in  the  Council,  and 
for  many  years  has  been  a  member  of  the  State  Council  and  for  several 
years  he  has  served  as  Chairman  of  the  State  Law  Committee.     In   1902 


762  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

he  was  elected  and  served  as  State  Vice-Councilor  and  at  the  session  of 
1904  was  elected  State  Councilor,  but  declined  to  serve.  He  was  then 
elected  one  of  the  National  Eepresentatives,  and  attended  the  National 
Council  at  Nashville  in  1905  and  the  Boston  session  in  1907.  When  the 
State  Judiciary  was  created  at  the  session  of  the  State  Council,  held 
at  Montpelier,  October  2,  1907,  Brother  Humphrey  was  appointed  the 
first  Supreme  Chief  Judge,  by  State  Councilor  Jeffrey,  a  position  for 
which  he  is  eminently  fitted. 

In  1879,  Brother  Humphrey  married  Celia  Houghton;  to  them 
five  children  were  born,  three  of  whom  are  now  living.  Mrs.  Humphrey 
died  in  1893,  and  in  1894  he  married  Angie  Jock.  From  this  union  two 
children  have  been  born,  one  of  whom  is  deceased. 

Brother  Humphrey  has  held  several  town  offices  and  is  regarded 
as  a  man  of  sound  judgment  and  high  ideals.  As  a  citizen  he  represents 
the  New  England  stamp,  founded,  not  on  privilege  like  the  Greeks  and 
Romans,  not  on  lineage  like  the  Middle  Ages,  not  on  blood-relationship 
like  the  Swiss  Cantons,  but  on  MANHOOD, — that  citizenship  which  has 
built  up  an  everyday  statehood  on  the  basis  of  the  average  man. 

EDWARD  F.  STARKEY 
Past  State  Councilor  of  Vermont. 

The  "  Republic  of  Vermont  " —  such  was  the  name  of  the  "  Green 
Mountain  State  "  in  the  days  of  Ethen  Allen  and  John  Stark  before  she 
united  with  the  Union — has  furnished  some  sturdy  specimens  of  Junior 
manhood,  several  of  whom  are  noted  in  this  section.  Vermont  was  the 
first  of  the  "  old  thirteen "  to  adopt  the  Federal  Constitution,  and  the 
peculiar  traits  of  loyalty  that  made  the  sons  of  this  colony  so  famous, 
in  a  large  degree  have  been  communicated  to  her  descendants. 

Although  a  native  of  New  Hampshire,  being  born  in  that  state  on 
April  15,  1852,  Brother  Edward  Starkey  located  in  the  State  of  Vermont 
when  but  a  lad  and  is  recognized  as  one  of  her  best  and  most  patriotic 
citizens.  By  occupation,  he  is  a  manufacturer  of  several  well  known 
veterinary  remedies  which  have  reached  a  large  sale  and  distribution. 

We  are  without  data  as  to  when  Brother  Starkey  joined  the 
Jr.  O.  U.  A.  M.,  but  the  records  show  that  he  was  elected  State  Vice- 
Councilor  at  the  Fourth  Annual  Session  of  the  State  Council,  held 
October,  1898,  and  owing  to  the  neglect  of  his  duties,  State  Councilor 
Cleverly  was  relieved  of  his  office  by  action  of  the  Board  of  Officers  in 
July  of  1899,  whereupon  Brother  Starkey  was  placed  in  the  State  Coun- 
cilor's Chair  and  obtained  his  honors,  and  is  to-day  the  Senior  Past  State 
Councilor  of  Vermont.  Brother  Starkey  still  has  a  warm  interest  in  the 
organization,  and  with  zeal  unabated  his  presence  is  noted  at  nearly 
every  session  of  the  State  Body.  In  1901  he  was  admitted  into  the 
National  Council  at  its  session  held  at  Buffalo,  N.  Y.,  and  for  8  years 
has  served  on  the  State  Council  Committee  on  Law.  He  is  also  a  promi- 
nent member  of  the  Knights  of  Pythias,  the  Golden  Cross,  Red  Men  and 
Daughters  of  Liberty,  having  obtained  honors  in  all  of  them. 


UNITED  AMERICAN   MECHANICS  76 

CHARLES  EDWIN  HARRIS  * 

Formerly   State   Council    Treasurer  of  Vermont. 

No  brother  is  better  or  more  favorably  known  in  the  Junior  Order 
in  Vermont   than   Charles    Edwin   Harris   of   General    Sheridan    Council, 

No.  26.  Brother  Harris  was  born  in  Derby,  Vermont.  AugUfll  28,  1852; 
he  was  educated  in  the  public  schools,  St.  Johnsbury  Academy,  and  after 
graduating  from  the  New  Hampton  Business  College,  he  entered  hi> 
father's  store  at  East  Burke  as  a  clerk,  remaining  until  lS'.KJ,  when  he 
and  his  sister  became  the  sole  owners  of  the  store  and  have  conducted  ii 
successfully  to  the  present  time  under  the  firm  name  of  C.  E.  Harris  &  Co. 

Brother  "Ed,"  as  he  is  familiarly  called,  has  long  been  known  as 
a  "  jiner."  He  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  32°  fraternity,  an  Odd  Fellow, 
a  Red  Man,  and  a  charter  member  of  General  Sheridan  Council,  No.  20. 
Jr.  0.  U.  A.  M.,  of  East  Burke.  He  was  the  first  Past  Councilor  of  that 
body  and  for  many  years  served  as  one  of  the  trustees.  Brother  Harris 
served  the  State  Council  for  over  nine  years  as  its  Treasurer  and  under 
his  administration  saw  that  body  grow  from  a  more  than  bankrupt 
treasury  to  a  balance  of  $357.18  on  the  right  side  of  the  ledger.  During 
that  time  there  was  a  period  of  several  years  when  the  State  Council 
would  have  gone  out  of  existence  if  he  had  not  put  his  personal  note  in 
the  bank — at  times  the  amount  of  the  note  exceeded  $400.  Year  by  year 
this  note  was  carried  along  by  Brother  Harris  until  at  last  he  was  able 
to  report  "  every  bill  paid,  and  $357.18  jn  hand." 

Brother  Harris  has  long  been  a  familiar  figure  at  the  sessions  of 
the  State  Council  where  his  advice,  and  counsel  is  frequently  sought  by 
the  members  of  the  body. 

ERWIN  M.   MASSEY* 
State  Vice-Councilor  of  Vermont    (1907). 

There  are  very  few  members  of  the  Order  in  the  old  Green  Moun 
tain  State  that  have  done  more  for  the  organization  than  th«  subject 
of  this  sketch,  Erwin  M.  Massey,  of  Rising  Sun  Council,  No.  34,  of  North 
Danville.  Brother  Massey  has  always  been  foremost  as  a  Junior,  but  being 
of  a  rather  retiring  disposition  he  has  never  sought  public  or  fraternal 
office.  He  was  born  in  Irasburgh,  Vermont,  November  13,  1856,  and 
receiving  the  usual  public  school  education,  early  in  life  became  a 
painter  for  the  far  famed  E.  &  T.  Fairbanks,  Scale  Manufacturers  of 
St.  Johnsbury.  Later  he  entered  the  employ  of  A.  P.  Boiler  &  Co.. 
extensive  iron  bridge  contractors  of  No.  71  Broadway,  New  York  City, 
and  for  three  years  was  one  of  their  trusted  foremen  and  had  charge  of 
large  jobs  in  several  of  the  Southern  states;  illness  of  his  father,  however, 
was  the  occasion  of  his  return  to  the  old  home  in  Danville,  Vermont, 
where  he  has  remained  for  more  than  a  quarter  of  a  century. 

Brother  Massey  became  a  charter  member  of  Rising  Sun  Council, 
No.  34,  Jr.  O.  U.  A.  M..  when  it  was  instituted,  January  23,  1897.  He 
entered   into   the  work   of   the   Council    with    a    deep    love   of   its   exalted 


*  Written   by   William   H.   Jeffrey 


764  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

principles  and  has  ever  since  held  a  foremost  place  in  its  career.  He  has 
served  as  Trustee,  Warden,  Conductor,  Vice-Councilor,  and  for  three 
terms  as  Councilor.  He  entered  the  State  Council  October  4,  1899,  and 
at  the  session  held  at  Montpelier,  October  2,  1907,  he  was  elected,  without 
opposition,  as  State  Vice-Councilor. 


E.   W.    SELLERS 
Past   State   Councilor  of   Wisconsin. 

Of  American  birth,  E.  W.  Sellers,  of  Stevens  Point,  Wisconsin,  was 
born  in  Stockton,  same  state,  August  30,  1869.  For  14  years  he  was 
reared  upon  a  farm  and  removing  to  Stevens  Point  he  has  resided  in  that 
city  ever  since.  Having  married  in  1891,  he  has  three  children,  two  boys 
and  one  girl,  to  bless  the  home.  For  years  he  was  employed  in  railroad 
and  government  service  but  at  present  he  is  conducting  his  own  business, 
being  manager  of  five  cooperations.  He  is  also  Treasurer  of  the  Public 
School  Board,  Secretary  of  the  Business  Men's  Association  and  a  promi- 
nent member  of  the  M.  E.  Church,  being  a  Trustee  of  the  church  property. 

Brother  Sellers  was  among  the  first  in  Wisconsin  to  espouse  the 
doctrines  of  the  Jr.  O.  U.  A.  M.  and  was  initiated  into  Washington  Council, 
No.  1,  at  Stevens  Point,  July  10,  1890.  He  served  in  nearly  every  office 
within  the  gift  of  the  Council,  three  times  as  its  Councilor  and  10  years 
as  its  Treasurer.  He  organized  the  Degree  Staff  and  was  its  Captain 
for  12  years.  He  was  conspicuous  in  the  organization  of  the  State  Council, 
being  one  of  its  charter  members  when  it  was  instituted  October  10,  1892. 
He  has  served  twice  as  State  Councilor,  four  years  as  State  Council  Sec- 
retary and  for  a  number  of  years  has  represented  the  National  Council 
as  Deputy  National  Councilor,  at  present  being  commissioned  by  National 
Councilor  Schaertzer.  He  represented  his  State  Council  in  the  National 
Council  from  1892  to  1901,  and  was  again  elected  in  1904.  He  has  served 
on  important  committees  both  in  the  National  Body  and  the  State  Body, 
among  which  might  be  named,  Legislative,  Ritual,  Ladies'  Auxiliary,  etc. 

To  Brother  Sellers's  devotion  to  the  Order  is  due  very  largely  the 
maintenance  of  the  organization  as  a  State  Council  in  Wisconsin.  With 
a  German  population,  strongly  anti-Junior  in  sentiment  to  cope  with, 
the  progress  of  a  distinctive  American  organization  as  the  Jr.  O.  U.  A.  M. 
has  been  greatly  retarded.  But  never  did  Brother  Sellers  "  give  up  the 
ship "  though  it  was  assailed  by  the  enemies  of  American  institutions. 
At  one  time  the  State  officers  were  indifferent,  in  fact  left  the  Order  to 
shift  for  itself,  when  the  National  Councilor  placed  the  control  of  the 
jurisdiction  in  the  hands  of  Brother  Sellers  who  received  the  monies, 
paid  the  per  capita  tax  to  the  National  Council  and  promulgated  the 
password.  He  always  gave  his  time  and  money  to  aid  the  National 
Organizers  when  sent  into  the  state,  and  in  every  way  has  served  the 
Order  faithfully  and  well. 

Brother  Sellers  is  a  pleasant,  agreeable  Christian  gentleman,  a  true 
blue  patriot  and  is  held  in  high  esteem  in  the  community  that  has  been 
his  home  since  boyhood. 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  765 

CHARLES  SOMERVILLE  CRALL 
Past  State  Councilor  of  Pennsylvania. 

One  of  the  representative  Juniors  of  Pennsylvania,  a  long-time 
worker  in  the  ranks  of  the  Jr.  0.  U.  A.  M.,  is  Charles  S.  Crall,  of  Monon- 
gahela.  Brother  Crall  is  a  product  of  California,  being  born  in  that 
state,  in  the  town  of  Sebastopol,  Nevada  County,  Nov.  1,  1861,  both  of 
his  parents  having  been  Pennsylvania-born.  In  18G6  they  removed  from 
the  Golden  State  to  Monongahela,  going  by  sea  via  San  Francisco,  Panama 
and  New  York;  but  returning  to  California  in  1871  and  remaining  three 
years,  they  again  removed  to  Monongahela  which  has  been  Brother  Crall's 
home  ever  since.  Having  been  educated  in  the  common  schools,  he  entered 
into  the  florist  business  with  his  father,  I.  Shelby  Crall,  in  which  they 
were  very  successful,  and  on  his  father's  death  in  1901  he  assumed  com- 
plete control  of  the  large  business  and  trade,  in  which  he  has  been  too 
busy  as  well  as  looking  after  the  interest  of  the  Order  to  seek  for  and 
take  unto  himself  a  help-meet,  therefore  as  he  himself  remarked  he  is 
"  a  confirmed  old  bachelor." 

It  is  as  a  Junior  that  "  Charlie "  Crall  is  most  favorably  known 
in  the  organization.  Early  after  the  introduction  of  the  Order  in  Western 
Pennsylvania,  Star  of  the  Valley  Council,  No.  136,  was  instituted  in 
1881,  of  which  Brother  Crall  was  a  charter  member  and  the  recognized 
leading  spirit  of  the  Council.  Thoroughly  imbued  with  patriotic  senti- 
ments and  never  afraid  to  speak  them,  our  brother  was  soon  to  the  front 
and  having  received  the  honors  of  his  Council,  he  was  sent  to  represent 
it  in  the  State  Council,  into  which  body  he  was  admitted  in  1886,  and 
subsequently  served  in  same  position.  For  a  number  of  years  he  was 
the  Recording  Secretary  of  his  Council,  and  as  Deputy  State  Councilor 
and  "  hustler  "  he  gave  much  of  his  time  in  the  earlier  years.  When  the 
State  Council  of  Pennsylvania  sought  for  a  candidate  for  State  Vice- 
Councilor  in  1898,  all  eyes  turned  to  the  "  sage  of  the  Monongahela." 
who  agreed  to  enter  the  race  and  after  a  sharp  contest  won  and  took  a 
place  upon  the  Board  of  Officers  vacated  by  the  writer. 

Brother  Crall  occupied  an  unique  position  as  a  member  of  the 
Board.  During  his  term  the  Order  was  in  the  throes  of  rebellion  and 
although  elected  State  Councilor  at  the  Scranton  session  in  1899,  he  was 
not  permitted  to  assume  his  position,  the  State  Council  charter  having 
been  suspended  pending  a  hearing  by  the  Judiciary  tribunal,  before 
the  installation  of  officers,  hence  the  officers  of  the  Board  remained  the 
same  as  the  year  previous,  making  two  years'  service  for  each.  Owing 
to  the  recall  of  the  Special  Session  at  Lancaster,  the  business  was  con- 
cluded the  day  previous  to  the  annual  meeting,  at  which  session  Brother 
Crall  was  installed  State  Councilor  in  which  position  he  served  48  hours, 
having  served  the  longest  term  as  State  Vice-Councilor  and  the  shortest 
term  as  State  Councilor  on  record  in  the  state.  During  these  critical 
years  of  tmrest  and  doubt  the  Order  had  in  Brother  Crall  a  chivalrous 
knight  who  stood  valiantly  for  loyalty  and  who  fearlessly  met  the  in-ur- 
gent element  in  debate  and  otherwise,  upholding  the  honor  and  integrity 
of  the  National  Council  as  well  as  the  loyal  minority  of  his  own  state, 
never  for  a  moment  swerving  an  iota  from  his  position  in  the  controversy. 

The  final  "parting  of  the  ways"  in  Pennsylvania  came  during  the 


766  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

4S  hours  he  was  State  Councilor.  When  the  session  of  1900  convened 
both  elements  in  the  Order  were  represented,  the  insurgent  majority 
assuming  to  stampede  the  State  Council  by  their  disreputable  procedure; 
but  they  found  no  weakling  in  the  Chair,  but  on  the  other  hand  they  had 
to  deal  with  a  man  of  nerve  who  understood  the  plans  of  the  "  rule  or 
ruin "  party,  and  deliberately,  and  with  a  master-hand,  led  his  loyal 
brethren  out  of  pandemonium  when  it  was  apparent  that  there  existed 
two  State  Bodies  in  the  Keystone  State.  It  was  well  for  the  Order  that 
during  those  strenuous  years  it  had  at  the  helm  in  Pennsylvania  such 
heroic  men  as  Bowers,  Crall  and  Dickeson. 

Brother  Crall  has  served  as  Deputy  National  Councilor  under  two 
National  Councilors  and  is  still  "  in  the  harness."  He  is  well  esteemed 
by  his  own  Council,  stands  high  in  the  community  as  a  business  man  and 
citizen,  while  to  his  friends  he  is  as  true  as  steel. 


WILLIAM  SANFORD  SCHENCK 
Past    State    Councilor    and    Ex-State    Secretary 
of    Washington. 

On  June  3,  1856,  at  Greenwood,  Steuben  county,  New  York,  William 
S.  Schenck  entered  upon  his  earthly  life.  His  ancestry  on  his  father's 
side,  were  Dutch,  the  maternal  grandfather  being  a  native  of  New  Jersey, 
who  removed  to  the  frontier  of  Western  New  York  where,  after  a  struggle 
with  adversity,  died,  leaving  a  family  of  12  children.  On  his  mother's 
side,  Brother  Schenck  came  from  sturdy  New  England  stock,  his  maternal 
grandfather  being  John  Rowley.  His  father's  name  was  William  J.,  one 
of  the  family  of  12,  as  stated  above,  and  his  mothers's  name  was  Emeline, 
one  of  a  family  of  14,  both  being  humble  and  zealous  Christians  of  the 
Methodist  faith.  When  William  was  six  years  of  age  he  with  his  parents 
removed  to  Wisconsin,  hence  in  that  remote  region  he  had  but  limited 
educational  advantages,  having  to  go  two  miles  to  attend  the  district 
school  in  an  atmosphere  of  40  degrees  below  zero.  Under  such  trying 
circumstances  the  boy  grew  to  be  a  man.  and  when  16  years  of  age  he 
entered  the  carpenter  shop  of  one  of  his  brothers  and  learned  the  trade 
and  business,  which  has  been  his  life's  occupation,  having  become  exten- 
sively engaged  in  the  contracting  and  building  business. 

It  is  as  a  member  of  the  Order  that  we  would  pen  this  sketch  of 
Brother  Schenck.  The  beginning  of  his  Junior  life  came  while  living  at 
Steven's  Point,  Wisconsin,  being  admitted  a  charter  member,  December 
18,  1888,  of  Washington  Councid,  No.  1,  located  at  above  named  place. 
The  principles  of  the  Order  were  very  deeply  impressed  upon  our  brother, 
whose  heart  "  was  strangely  warmed."  and  then  and  there  he  was 
"  converted  "  to  the  doctrines  of  the  Junior  Order  and,  though  of  Methodist 
blood,  he  has  never  "  backslid."  Removing  soon  after  to  the  State  of 
Washington,  Brother  Schenck  proceeded  to  organize  Bay  City  Council, 
No.  3,  at  Bellingham,  which  has  been  and  still  is  a  strong  and  active 
Council.  At  the  institution  of  the  State  Council  of  Washington  in  1889, 
Brother  Schenck  represented  his  Council  and  was  elected  State  Vice- 
Councilor,  passing  on  to  the  Chair  of  State  Councilor  in  1890,  and  at  the 
same  time  was  appointed  Special  Organizer  by  National  Councilor  Cran- 
ston  and   did   good   work   in    that    capacity   in    spite   of   the   unfavorable 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  767 

surroundings  and  environments.  He  served  for  several  terms  as  Deputy 
National  Councilor  and  throughout  the  entire  history  of  his  association 
with  the  Order  he  has  been  a  leading  spirit. 

His  honors,  however,  were  not  confined  to  his  State  Council,  but  as 
a  Representative  he  was  brought  into  association  with  the  National 
Body,  attending  the  sessions  at  Omaha  in  1895  and  Buffalo  in  1901  in 
that  capacity.  At  the  session  of  the  National  Council  at  Denver  in  1896, 
he  was  elected  National  Conductor  and  attended  the  Pittsburg  session 
in  1897,  at  the  close  of  which  National  Councilor  Powell  appointed  him 
on  the  Law  Committee  and  in  the  same  capacity  he  attended  the  Bession 
at  San  Francisco  in  1903. 

In  1894,  Brother  Schenck  was  elected  State  Council  Secretary 
which  position  he  filled  very  creditably  until  1904.  He  as  well  as  his 
wife  and  members  of  his  family  are  members  of  the  Daughters  of  America, 
in  which  organization  they  have  taken  a  prominent  part.  His  record 
in  attendance  in  his  own  Council  scarcely  has  a  parallel,  never  missing 
a  meeting  unless  absent  from  home.  For  loyalty  to  the  principles  of  the 
Order,  none  have  shown  such  persistent  faith  as  he. 

His  domestic  life  is  most  happy,  his  home  being  blessed  with  a 
good  and  careful  wife.  The  "  olive  branches  "  in  the  home  are  four  in 
number — three  sons  and  one  daughter.  His  eldest  son,  W.  A.,  was  insti- 
tuted into  the  Order  when  he  arrived  at  "  the  proper  age  "  and  served  as 
Councilor  when  he  was  17.  He  is  at  present  (1907)  the  Recording 
Secretary  of  Bay  City  Council,  No.  3.  as  well  as  State  Vice-Councilor  of 
the  State  Council.  The  second  son,  G.  B.,  is  also  a  member  of  the  Order 
and  has  served  as  Councilor  and  Representative  to  the  State  Council. 
His  daughter  is  a  Past  Councilor  of  the  Daughters  of  America,  as  well 
as  Brother  and  Mrs.  Schenck.  In  a  letter  to  the  wrjfcor,  Brother  Schenck 
says  he  has  still  one  son  12  years  of  age  whom  he  hopes  to  see  a  member 
of  the  Order. 

The  type  of  manhood  found  in  Brother  Schenck  is  of  the  noblest 
standard,  that  type  which  frontier  life  has  ever  developed,  that  becomes 
the  back-bone  of  a  Republic,  patriotic,  faithful  and  true.  It  is  the 
writer's  hope  that  the  hard  work  given  to  the  Order  by  our  brother  will 
be  as  "  bread  cast  upon  the  waters  that    shall   be  seen  many  days  hence. ' 


JOHN  C.   STEWART 
Past   State   Councilor   of   Maine. 

On  the  eve  of  the  Battle  of  Bunker  Hill,  the  British  General  in  com- 
mand, General  Gage,  said:  "If  General  Stark  will  be  in  the  battle,  there 
will  be  some  big  fighting."  General  Stark  of  Bennington  fame  (which 
battle,  fought  on  Vermont  soil,  had  much  to  do  in  bringing  about  the 
victory  at  Saratoga)  was  a  product  of  Vermont,  which  mountainous  state 
has  produced  splendid  men  all  down  its  history.  Here,  in  Rycgate,  Cale- 
donia County,  on  the  19th  of  June,  1850,  was  born  the  subject  of  this 
sketch,  Hon.  John  C.  Stewart,  Past  State  Councilor  of  the  State  of  Main". 
Being  the  son  of  a  farmer,  his  duties  on  the  farm  kept  him  there  until 
he  was  17  years  of  age,  whereupon  he  supplemented  his  common  and  select 
school  education  by  entering  the  Grammar  School  at  Peacham,  Vermont, 
following  which  he  entered  Dartmouth  College  and  graduated  with  honors 


768      .         HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

in  1873,  receiving  his  A.  B.,  and  subsequently  followed  the  profession  of 
teaching  in  the  public  schools  in  the  States  of  Maine,  Massachusetts  and 
Mississippi,  receiving  his  M.  A.  from  his  Alma  Mater  in  1876,  and  upon 
entering  the  Medical  School  of  Dartmouth  College,  he  graduated  there- 
from in  1877,  being  the  valadictorian  of  his  class. 

For  11  years  Brother  Stewart  practiced  medicine  in  York,  Maine, 
then  engaged  in  the  contracting  and  manufacturing  business  until  1885, 
when  he  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  the  York  County  Court,  since  which 
time  he  has  been  actively  engaged  in  the  practice  of  law. 

Politically,  Past  State  Councilor  Stewart  is  a  Republican,  having 
served  as  Chairman  and  Secretary  of  the  various  Committees  of  the  party, 
was  Deputy  Sheriff  for  six  years  and  served  in  the  State  Senate  in  1891 
and  1892.  As  a  member  of  fraternities  and  honorary  societies,  Brother 
Stewart  stands  high.     The  following  is  the  roll: 

Maine  Society  of  Sons  of  American  Revolution,  Maine  State  Bar 
Association,  Portsmouth  (N.  H.)  Medical  Society,  Stratford  County 
(N.  H.)  Medical  Society,  York  County  Medical  Society,  U.  S.  Navy 
League,  Paul  Jones  Club,  Portsmouth  (N.  H.),  American  Academy  of 
Political  and  Social  Science,  National  Geographical  Society,  Independent 
Order  of  Good  Templars,  Ancient  Order  of  United  Workmen,  Workmen's 
Benefit  Association,  Ancient  Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  Knights  of  Pythias, 
United  Order  of  the  Golden  Cross,  and  the  Junior  Order  of  United  Amer- 
ican Mechanics.  Of  the  latter  organization  he  became  a  member  in  1894, 
having  joined  Lincoln  Council,  No.  6,  being  a  charter  member  and  was 
chosen  Jr.  Past  Councilor  and  a  Trustee.  At  the  organization  of  the 
State  Council  of  Maine,  he  was  elected  State  Councilor  and  served  with 
dignity  and  honor,  giving  his  best  efforts  to  the  extension  of  the  Order, 
especially  the  Beneficiary  Degree.  At  the  close  of  his  term  the  State 
Council  elected  him  National  Representative  and  placed  him  on  the 
State  Law  Committee.  Notwithstanding  his  strenuous  life,  Brother 
Stewart  is  in  touch  with  the  Order,  having  connected  himself  with  Wash- 
ington Council,  No.  9,  located  at  Springvale. 

That  Brother  Stewart  is  a  man  of  affairs  is  manifest  from  the  fol- 
lowing: One  of  the  Incorporators  of  the  York  Harbor  and  Beach  Rail- 
road, and  for  years  a  director  and  clerk  of  the  corporation;  President 
and  Treasurer  of  the  S.  S.  S.  Building  Association;  President  of  the  York 
Printing  Company,  York  Realty  Company,  Norton  Brick  Company  and 
Lone  Star  Consolidated  Copper  Company;  Vice-President  of  the  York 
County  National  Bank  and  of  the  Old  York  Historical  and  Improvement 
Society;  Treasurer  of  the  York  Corporation  Trust  and  Law  Company, 
Drew  Crate  Company,  Atlas  Manufacturing  Company,  Children's  Heart 
Work  Society  of  Maine;  Director  of  the  Christian  Civic  League  of  Maine, 
Agamenticus  Light  and  Heat  Co.  and  the  Mineral  Mountain  Copper  Co. 

Brother  Stewart  has  taken  a  prominent  part  in  the  Prohibitory 
movement  in  his  state,  being  at  one  time  the  President  of  the  Peoples' 
Prohibitory  Enforcement  League  of  Maine,  and  in  1894  was  a  Represen- 
tative to  the  National  Temperance  Congress  at  Philadelphia.  He  repre- 
sented the  State  of  Maine,  by  appointment  of  the  Governor,  at  the  Pan- 
American  Medical  Congress,  Washington,  D.  C,  in  1893,  and  has  been 
from  1901  a  member  of  the  Medical  Section  of  the  National  Fraternal 
Congress.  It  goes  without  saying,  that  Brother  Stewart  is  one  of  the 
foremost  citizens  of  his  state,  esteemed  and  respected  by  all. 


HERBERT  SMITH 
State  Council  Secretary  of  Maine 


■■.■■.■■■■■..■'.'.:■: 


GEO.  R.  BOWLEY 
Past  State  Councilor  of  Maine 


F.   M.  CODY 
Past  State  Councilor  of  Pennsylvania 


J.  S.  WILSON 
State  Council  Secretary  of  South  Carolina 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  769 

FRANK  M.  CODY 
Past  State  Councilor  of  Pennsylvania. 

Contemporary  with  Deemer,  Calver,  Kurtz  and  Arthur,  in  Pa 
vania  Juniorism,  Frank  M.  Cody,  Esq.,  of  Philadelphia,  stood  for  the 
Junior  Order  when  it  was  a  "  small  Hock."  Brother  Cody  was  horn  in 
the  city  that  has  heen  his  home  or  place  of  business  all  his  life  on  March 
15,  1854,  and  had  the  advantage  of  a  good  education  after  which  he  read 
law  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar,  November,  1875,  and  subsequently  was 
admitted  to  practice  his  profession  in  the  Supreme  Court  of  the  state 
and  the  United  States  Courts.  His  standing  with  the  legal  fraternity 
of  that  great  city  is  good,  and  at  the  same  time  he  has  by  hard  work 
built  up  a  most  excellent  practice. 

As  soon  as  he  was  old  enough  ( 16  years)  Brother  Cody  connected 
himself  with  Kensington  Council,  No.  5,  of  Philadelphia.  Of  this  Council 
Brother  Allen  Dellaven,  who  was  National  Councilor  in  1879,  and  G. 
Howell  Arthur,  who  was  State  Councilor  in  1881,  were  also  members. 
In  1871  these  brethren  withdrew  from  Kensington  Council  and  organized 
Science  Council,  No.  127,  of  which  Brother  Cody  was  elected  its  first 
Councilor  and  subsequently  was  elected  Representative  to  the  State  Council 
which  body,  in  1875,  elected  him  State  Councilor.  At  the  time  of  his 
election  the  State  Council  met  semi-annually,  but  the  laws  having  been 
amended,  the  body  met  annually,  the  time  of  meeting  having  also  been 
changed  from  January  to  July,  thereby  making  Brother  Cody's  term  18 
months.  During  his  term  the  country  was  in  the  grip  of  a  depressing 
panic,  hence  no  progress  was  made  in  the  Order,  there  being  but  4,957 
members  in  the  state. 

For  many  years  Brother  Cody  was  active  in  the  work  of  the  Order 
and  was  frequent  in  his  attendance  at  the  sessions  of  the  State  Council 
and  the  National  Council.  When  the  rebellion  in  the  Order  came,  Brother 
Cody  at  once  allied  himself  with  the  loyalists  and  his  Council  being  insur- 
gent, he  withdrew  and  connected  himself  with  Liberty  Council,  No.  35, 
of  which  he  remains  a  member.  While  he  is  a  very  busy  man  in  taking 
care  of  his  increasing  practice,  he  has  never  lost  his  interest  in  the  Order, 
his  love  for  same  being  deep-seated. 

Brother  Cody  resides  in  the  borough  of  Lansdowne  of  which  he 
has  been  solicitor  for  years.  He  is  married  and  has  one  son  and  lives 
in  a  comfortable  home  in  that  beautiful  suburb  of  Philadelphia.  He  is 
most  affable,  courteous,  and  an  all-around  gentleman.  As  a  citizen,  a 
member  of  society,  and  a  Junior,  he  is  a  splendid  representation  of  an 
upright  and  noble  manhood,  whose  fine  form  and  courtly  bearing  makes 
him  a  distinguished  figure  in  any  sphere  of  life. 


PERRY  A.  SHANOR 
Past  National  Councilor,  Pennsylvania. 

Head,  and  in  some  instances  shoulders,  bodily,  over  his  associates 
in  the  National  Council,  Perry  A.  Shanor  has  an  honored  place  in  the 
fraternity.  Where  he  was  born  or  when,  we  know  not,  but  it  goes  without 
saying  that  his  early  boyhood  was  not  different  from  that  of  other  boys. 
It  is  presumed  that  he  played  truant  occasionally,  purloined  green  apples 

49 


770  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

and  stoned  the  neighbor's  chickens  as  boys  will,  but  when  he  became  a 
man  he  put  away  childish  things.  Having  secured  in  the  public  and 
Normal  schools  a  thorough  education,  Brother  Shanor  engaged  in  the 
profession  of  teacher  in  the  common  schools,  and  for  years  was  Super- 
intendent of  Public  Schools  in  the  City  of  McKeesport,  Pa.  Having  re- 
signed his  position  he  turned  his  attention  to  law  and  was  admitted  to 
the  bar  and  has  followed  the  legal  profession  ever  since,  practicing  in 
West  Virginia  as  well  as  Pennsylvania. 

Brother  Shanor  connected  himself  with  the  Junior  Order  along 
about  1890  and  at  once  his  strong  individuality  and  personality  brought 
him  to  the  front  in  the  organization  and  having  received  the  honors  in 
his  own  Council  he  was  sent  as  its  Representative  to  the  State  Council 
and  from  that  body  he  was  sent  to  the  National  Council  as  a  Represen- 
tative. Being  a  fluent  and  gifted  speaker  his  services  were  much  sought 
at  public  meetings  held  in  the  interest  of  the  Order  or  at  Council  meetings 
where  he  unfolded  the  doctrines  as  taught  in  the  Objects  and  Principles 
of  the  organization. 

The  National  Council  recognized  in  Brother  Shanor  extraordinary 
qualifications  as  a  leader  and  in  1895  he  was  elected  National  Vice- 
Councilor,  National  Councilor  in  1896  and  in  that  capacity  presided  over 
the  National  Body  at  Pittsburg,  Pa.,  in  1897,  and  directed  the  proceedings 
of  the  body  with  a  master-hand.  When  the  Order  was  attacked  either 
by  foes  within  or  without,  like  a  fearless  knight  he  threw  himself  into 
the  fray  and  undaunted,  defended  the  honor  and  dignity  of  the  Supreme 
Body  as  well  as  the  Objects  and  Principles  of  the  fraternity.  As  a 
speaker  on  the  floor  of  the  State  and  National  Council  he  is  recognized 
as  strong  and  effective,  never  mincing  words,  always  calling  a  spade  a 
spade,  etc. 

Brother  Shanor  is  also  quite  prominent  in  other  secret  fraternities. 
As  an  Odd  Fellow,  for  years  he  was  a  Representative  to  the  Grand  Lodge, 
and  as  a  lecturer  for  the  organization  he  is  known  throughout  the  jurisdic- 
tion of  Pennsylvania.  He  is  also  a  member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity 
and  has  received  honors  therefrom.  It  is,  however,  as  a  member  and 
officer  of  the  Order  of  Elks  that  he  is  known  nation-wide  and  in  this 
society  he  holds  a  high  place  as  leader  and  speaker,  having  recently 
compiled  an  extensive  as  well  as  complete  Ritual  for  the  Order.  At 
present  (1908)  he  is  Secretary  to  the  Grand  Exalted  Ruler  of  Pennsyl- 
vania,  a   position   for  which  he   is   eminently   fitted. 

Perry  A.  Shanor's  tall  and  symmetrical  frame,  his  speaking  counte- 
nance, his  boundless  enthusiasm  and  his  versatility  are  prominent  charac- 
teristics of  the  man.  His  powers  are  as  manifest  as  his  form;  a  man 
bubbling  over  with  human  nature ;  a  handshake  that  is  not  mere  muscular 
pressure,  but  a  geyser-like  spontaneity  of  illustration — in  short,  he  is 
a  battery  of  physical,  mental,  emotional,  sympathetic  force,  light  and 
warmth. 

HERBERT  SMITH 
State   Council   Secretary   of   Maine. 

From  the  hour  of  his  birth,  on  August  19,  1853,  in  a  Maine  home- 
stead. Herbert  Smith  has  made  Springvale,  Maine,  his  home.  The  bud- 
ding and  developing  years   of  his  life  were  spent  in  the  public  schools 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  771 

of  his  home  village  which  was  supplemented  by  a  course  in  an  academy 
in  an  adjoining  town.  Subsequently  be  engaged  in  mercantile  business, 
but  leaving  that,  took  a  position  in  the  Maine  Alpaca  Mills,  one  of  the 
principal  industries  of  the  town. 

Brother  Smith  is  a  firm  believer  in  secret  fraternities  and  has 
always  born  a  conspicuous  part  in  propagating  the  doctrines  of  same. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  Ancient  York  Masons,  Royal  Arch  Chapter,  Golden 
Cross  and  Eastern  Star;  is  also  connected  with  the  New  England  Order 
of  Protection  and  the  Independent  Order  of  Good  Templars.  However, 
to  the  Junior  Order  he  has  given  his  best  endeavors  and  has  been  and 
is  still  the  foremost  and  best  posted  member  of  the  organization  in  his 
state  and  is  universally  esteemed  by  the  fraternity. 

When  Washington  Council,  No.  9,  of  Maine  was  instituted,  Brother 
Smith  was  one  of  the  charter  members  and  was  honored  with  being  its 
first  Councilor,  and  has  for  years  been  its  Financial  Secretary.  His 
admission  to  the  State  Council  dates  back  to  its  institution,  March  L2, 
1896,  he  being  a  charter  member,  and  at  its  second  regular  meeting,  held 
September  of  same  year,  he  was  elected  State  Council  Secretary,  to  which 
position  in  1907  he  was  reelected  for  the  twelfth  time.  As  State  Council 
Secretary,  Brother  Smith  has  given  his  brethren  as  neat  a  record  as  can 
be  anywhere  found  indicating  the  care  he  exercises  in  recording  the 
minutes  of  the  State  Council. 

Although  past  the  half-century  mile-post,  our  brother  is  still  "  on 
the  firing  line,"  strongly  imbued  with  the  sublime  principles  he  loves  so 
well  as  taught  by  the  Junior  Order  United  American  Mechanics,  and 
through  his  tireless  energy  the  Order  has  found  a  good  foundation  in  the 
Pine  Tree  State. 

GEORGE  R.  BOWLEY 
Past  State  Councilor  of  Maine. 

A  descendant  of  good  New  England  stock,  George  R.  Bowley  was 
born  at  East  Kingston,  New  Hampshire,  April  3,  1868,  being  one  of  six 
sons  of  Charles  M.  and  Sarah  Goodwin  Bowley.  At  the  age  of  four 
years  he.  with  his  parents,  moved  to  Sanford,  Me.,  where  our  Brother 
has  grown  up  and  resided  ever  since,  being  employed  in  the  Sanford  mills 
— for  ten  years  of  that  time  holding  the  responsible  position  of  overseer. 
In  1898  he  united  in  marriage  with  Eldora  Y.  Grant,  from  which  union 
a  son,  Belmont  G.,  resulted,  who,  although  but  seven  years  of  age,  is  a 
full-fledged  patriot,  having  participated  in  the  patriotic  exercises  of  the 
State  Council  meetings  of  1905  and  1906. 

Brother  Bowiey's  career  as  a  Junior  began  in  1895,  when  he  con- 
nected himself  with  Harmony  Council,  No.  10,  of  Maine,  and  very  quickly 
reached  the  highest  honor  in  the  gift  of  the  Council,  and  was  sent  as 
a  Representative  to  the  State  Council,  where  he  was  elected  National 
Representative  for  five  years,  attending  the  sessions  held  at  Philadelphia. 
1900;  Buffalo  N.  Y.,  1901;  Milwaukee,  Wis.,  1902;  San  Francisco,  Cal., 
1903;  St.  Louis,  1904,  and  Nashville,  Tenn.,  1905,  and  was  reelected  for 
four  years  in  1906,  and  attended  the  session  held  at  Boston  in  1007. 
Brother  Bowley  has  served  his  State  Council  as  State  Vice-Councilor  and 
State  Councilor,  and  has  held  the  position  of  Deputy  National  Councilor 
over  the  State  of  Massachusetts. 


772  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

Considering  the  many  honors  conferred  upon  our  Brother,  although 
his  life  in  the  Order  has  been  but  twelve  years  (1907),  it  is  manifestly 
apparent  that  he  is  one  of  the  leading  spirits  of  his  State  Council.  He 
is  thoroughly  in  sympathy  with  the  objects  and  principles  of  the  Order, 
especially  of  the  Orphans'  Home,  in  which  he  is  deeply  interested.  He 
has  kept  in  touch  with  the  advanced  movement  of  the  organization, 
putting  forth  every  endeavor  to  bring  his  own  state  up  to  the  highest 
standard  of  work  and  success. 

Socially,  our  brother  is  pleasant  and  agreeable,  winning  friends 
by  his  kindly  disposition  and  gentlemanly  demeanor;  while  as  a  citizen 
and  patriot,  he  is  held  in  esteem  by  his  fellow  townsmen. 

S.  H.  MILLER 
Past  State  Councilor  of  Kansas. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  born  in  Laurel  County,  Kentucky, 
in  1859,  and  was  reared  on  a  farm,  obtaining  his  education  in  the  common 
schools  and  taught  one  term  in  same.  On  leaving  the  state,  Brother  Miller 
reached  Leavenworth,  Kansas,  June  14,  1880,  where  he  was  married  to 
Miss  Sarah  Truesdale,  November  23,  1882,  which  union  resulted  in  two 
sons  and  one  daughter. 

Brother  Miller  was  initiated  into  the  Order  April  4,  1895,  being 
a  charter  member  of  American  Council,  No.  20,  of  Kansas,  to  which  Coun- 
cil he  still  belongs  as  well  as  his  sons.  Having  "  passed  the  chairs," 
he  was  elected  Financial  Secretary  and  served  the  Council  in  that  office 
until  he  moved  to  a  farm  of  160  acres  ten  miles  from  Eureka.  Having 
been  sent  by  his  Council  as  a  Representative  to  the  State  Council,  that 
body  elected  him  State  Council  Treasurer  for  two  terms,  when  he  was 
elected  State  Vice-Councilor  and  subsequently  State  Councilor  and  served 
with  credit  in  both  positions.  In  1900  he  was  elected  National  Repre- 
sentative and  attended  each  session  of  the  National  Body  in  that  capacity 
until  1904,  when  he  was  unanimously  elected  National  Inside  Sentinel 
and  served  in  that  position  at  the  Nashville  session  in  1905.  From  1905 
to  1907  he  served  as  Deputy  National  Councilor  over  the  State  of  Kansas 
by  appointment  of  National  Councilor  Gilcreast. 

Modest  and  unassuming  Brother  Miller  has  been  a  prominent  figure 
in  Kansas  Juniorism,  being  recognized  as  one  of  her  most  loyal  and 
faithful  workers,  who,  in  the  midst  of  discouragements,  never  lost  faitli 
in  the  fundamental  principles  of  the  Order.  While  he  had  but  little  to 
say  upon  the  floor  of  the  National  Council,  he  was  always  present  and 
was  deeply  interested  in  its  business. 

WILLIAM  M.  THOMPSON 
Past  State  Councilor  of  Indiana. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  born  in  Preble  County,  Ohio,  July 
15,  1858,  being  the  son  of  Lewis  and  Mary  A.  Thompson.  He  continued 
to  reside  in  Preble  and  Mercer  counties,  Ohio,  until  1882,  during  which 
year  he  established  his  residence  in  Kosciusko,  Indiana,  where  he  remained 
until  September,  1885,  when  he  moved  to  the  City  of  Dunkirk,  same  state, 
which  place  has  since  been  his  residence. 


JAMES   NEEDLER 

.State  Couucil  Secretary  of  Indiana 


JAMES   FOUST 

Past  National  Representative  from  Penn- 
sylvania 


S.  H.   MILLER 
Past  State  Councilor  of  Kansas 


GEO.   W.   AKOLD 

Past   State  Councilor  of  Pennsylvania 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  778 

In  his  domestic  life.  Brother  Thompson  is  blessed  with  a  good  and 
home-loving  wife,  with  whom  he  was  united  in  marriage  on  August  5, 
1880,  her  family  name  being  Eva  J.  Denney.  Four  "olive  bram-lu- 
was  the  result  of  the  union,  three  sons  and  one  daughter;  of  the  former, 
one  is  a  resident  of  Melbourne,  Australia,  two  are  married,  while  the 
''sunshine  of  the  home,"  the  little  girl,  remains  at  this  writing  (1907) 
to  cheer  and  comfort  our  brother. 

Brother  Thompson's  membership  in  the  Order  dates  from  the  Bpring 
of  1893,  at  which  time  he  united  with  Dunkirk  Council,  No.  14,  with 
which  he  has  since  been  identified,  filling  all  of  the  offices  of  the  Council 
with  satisfaction  to  his  brethren  and  credit  to  himself.  When  the  State 
Council  held  its  session  at  Dunkirk,  in  1894,  Brother  Thompson  repre- 
sented his  Council,  at  which  session  he  was  appointed  Chairman  of  the 
Finance  Committee,  filling  the  position  for  several  years.  At  the  session 
of  1905,  held  at  Muncie,  he  was  selected  State  Vice-Councilor  and  at  the 
session  of  1906  was  advanced  to  the  position  of  State  Councilor  which 
office,  as  all  other  positions  of  trust  and  responsibility,  he  filled  with 
universal  satisfaction  to  the  brotherhood. 

Brother  Thompson  has  proved  himself  to  be  an  earnest  and  devoted 
member  of  the  Order,  and  by  his  energy  and  honesty  of  purpose,  has 
infused  a  spirit  of  loftier  ideals  in  all  with  whom  he  has  come  in  con- 
tact; and  though  he  has  laid  aside  the  gavel  of  authority,  after  filling  the 
highest  office  in  his  State  Council,  his  interest  in  the  organization  has 
not  abated,  and  from  the  tenor  of  his  make-up,  Indiana  for  many  years 
to  come  will  have  in  Past  State  Councilor  Thompson  a  strong  champion 
for  the  principles  and  purposes  of  the  Jr.  O.  U.  A.  M.  There  is  no  place 
"  on  the  shelf  "  for  Brother  Thompson. 

JAMES   NEEDLER 
State  Council  Secretary  of  Indiana. 

Brother  James  Needier  is  a  native  of  Iowa,  having  been  born  near 
the  City  of  Des  Moines,  May  29,  1877.  For  a  few  years  he  and;  his 
parents  travelled  from  state  to  state  until  he  was  5  years  old,  when  they 
settled  upon  a  farm  in  the  State  of  Indiana  where  the  boy  grew  to 
manhood  under  the  influence  of  agricultural  life.  The  subject  of  our 
sketch  attended  the  public  schools  until  he  was  old  enough  to  engage 
in  some  occupation,  when  he  accepted  a  position  in  the  Willman  Lumber 
Company  of  Hartford  City,  Indiana,  in  which  employ  he  has  been  for 
16  years  (1907),  having  not  only  the  confidence  of  his  employers,  but 
the  esteem  of  those  with  whom  he  is  associated. 

When  Brother  Needier  arrived  at  the  age  of  16,  he  was  impressed 
with  the  objects  and  principles  of  the  Jr.  O.  U.  A.  M.,  and  made  applica- 
tion to  Hartford  City  Council,  No.  17,  and  was  initiated  therein,  and 
ever  since  he  has  served  the  Council  continuously  in  one  office  or  another. 
He  represented  his  Council  at  two  sessions  of  the  State  Council,  and  at 
the  expiration  of  his  term  as  Representative  he  was  elected  State  Council 
Conductor,  but  illness  prevented  him  from  attending  the  session  at 
Lawrenceburg.  He  has  served  on  the  State  Council  Finance  Committee 
as  well  as  Deputy  State  Councilor  under  several  administrations. 


774  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

Upon  the  resignation  of  Brother  Harry  Van  Brunt,  February  15, 
1906,  as  State  Council  Secretary,  the  Board  of  Officers  appointed  Brother 
Needier  acting  State  Council  Secretary  to  fill  the  unexpired  term;  and  at 
the  regular  session  held  at  Noblesville,  October  23-24,  of  same  year,  he 
was  unanimously  elected  for  a  term  of  three  years. 

Brother  Needier  is  one  of  Indiana's  most  patriotic  Juniors,  thor- 
oughly competent  in  whatever  position  his  brethren  have  called  upon 
him  to  fill,  both  in  the  State  Council  and  the  Subordinate.  He  possesses 
a  pleasing  countenance,  is  a  most  agreeable  associate  and  represents  a 
high  type  of  manhood,  and  is  therefore  a  credit  to  the  Order. 


JAMES  FOUST 
Past  National   Representative  of   Pennsylvania. 

James  Foust  was  born  in  Hollidaysburg,  March  14,  1862.  The 
summers  of  his  early  life  were  spent  on  a  farm  and  the  winters  in  at- 
tending the  public  school  at  Hollidaysburg,  and  later  as  a  boatman  on 
the  Pennsylvania  Canal.  He  then  learned  the  trade  of  iron  moulder  and 
worked  at  his  trade  for  the  Pennsylvania  Railroad  Company  at  Altoona 
from  1885  until  1896.  In  November,  1895,  he  was  elected  by  the  Repub- 
lican Party  of  Blair  County  to  the  office  of  Coroner,  entering  upon  the 
duties  of  the  office  January  1,  1896.  At  the  February  election  of  that 
year  the  Republicans  were  successful  in  electing  their  ticket  in  the  City 
of  Altoona,  and  Hon.  H.  C.  Barr,  Mayor,  appointed  Brother  Foust  to 
the  position  of  Chief  of  Police.  He  entered  upon  the  duties  of  this  office 
in  April,  1896,  and  served  the  full  term  of  three  years.  For  almost  the 
entire  year  of  1896,  he  continued  to  hold  the  office  of  Coroner  until  his 
successor  was  appointed  and  duly  qualified. 

As  Chief  of  Police  he  gained  for  himself  considerable  distinction. 
A  band  of  crooks  that  operated  along  the  main  line  of  the  Pennsylvania 
Railroad  between  Altoona  and  Philadelphia  was,  by  his  skillful  and  ener- 
getic efforts,  completely  broken  up,  and  the  leaders  of  the  gang  convicted 
and  sent  to  the  penitentiary.  The  records  of  Blair  County  show  the 
apprehension  and  conviction  of  many  notorious  criminals,  due  to  his 
vigilance  and  sagacity.  It  is  a  remarkable  fact  that  during  his  entire 
term  as  Chief  of  Police,  only  one  defendant  of  the  many  indicted  through 
the  efforts  of  the  City  Police  force  escaped  conviction.  This  result  was 
due  to  the  care  with  which  Chief  Foust  investigated  the  facts  of  a  case 
before  he  commenced  prosecution,  and  the  intelligent  and  vigorous  man- 
ner in  which  he  prepared  cases  for  trial  afterwards. 

Brother  Foust's  great  achievements  along  the  line  of  civic  righteous- 
ness, has  been  in  the  Dairy  and  Food  Bureau  of  Pennsylvania,  since  his 
appointment  as  an  Agent  in  1900.  Entering  upon  his  work  with  great 
vigor  and  energy,  he  soon  made  a  great  record  in  apprehending  violators 
of  the  State  Food  Laws  and  was  rapidly  promoted  by  the  Food  Commis- 
sioner until  he  became  General  Agent  over  the  state,  his  duties  being  the 
preparation  of  all  cases  for  trial,  and  at  the  same  time  having  full  charge 
of  all  the  legal  machinery.  On  the  retirement  of  the  Food  Commissioner 
in  1907,  Brother  Foust  was  appointed  by  Governor  Stuart  to  fill  the 
position   for   a   term   of   4   years.      Honorable   and   fair   treatment   to   all 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  775 

has  become  his  slogan  and  from  all  quarters  come  the  statement  that  in 
his  appointment  the  Governor  made  no  mistake. 

Brother  Foust  is  an  enthusiastic  Junior,  having  united  with  No. 
157,  of  Pennsylvania,  in  1887,  but  withdrawing  therefrom  in  1901  he 
became  a  charter  member  of  No.  472,  with  which  he  is  still  connected. 
He  was  a  Representative  to  the  State  Council  in  1894  and  represented 
his  Council  at  several  subsequent  sessions.  He  was  appointed  National 
Representative  in  1899  and  attended  the  session  at  Minneapolis,  Minn., 
as  well  as  the  session  of  the  National  Council  in  1900.  Subsequently  he 
was  elected  National  Representative  for  a  term  of  three  years.  Brother 
Foust  was  a  close  friend  of  the  lamented  Past  National  Councilor  Geo. 
B.  Bowers,  who  was  a  member  of  the  Order  in  the  same  place. 


W.  A.   POLLARD 
Past  State  Councilor  of  Colorado. 

Our  fraternity  is  rich  in  the  high  standard  of  character  to  be  found 
among  its  membership,  richer  by  far  than  we  have  reason  to  know  or 
find  out,  because  of  that  modesty  which  so  frequently  conceals  from  us 
the  gems  of  thought,  written  and  unwritten,  that  emanate  from  them. 
Among  this  class  we  find  Past  State  Councilor  W.  A.  Pollard,  of  Colorado, 
residing  at  Colorado  Springs,  one  of  the  best  and  most  ardent  workers 
for  years  in  the  State  of  Colorado,  yet  only  a  few  brief  statements  of  his 
life  have  been  furnished  us. 

Brother  Pollard  was  initiated  in  Victor  Council,  No.  21,  where  he 
reached  the  highest  position  in  the  gift  of  his  Council  and  was  elected 
Representative  to  the  State  Council,  which  body  honored  him  in  1902 
with  the  office  of  State  Vice-Councilor,  passing  him  on  in  1903  to  the 
Chair  of  State  Councilor,  after  which  he  served  two  years  as  State  Coun- 
cil Secretary.  He  is  also  a  conspicuous  member  of  the  Knights  of  Pythias 
and  the  Royal  Arcanum.  Brother  Pollard  is  of  a  pleasing  disposition,  a 
courteous  gentleman  and  a  loyal  Junior. 

DR.  WILLIAM  H.  PAINTER 

Past  National   Representative,   State  of   Pennsylvania. 

Dr.  Painter  comes  from  a  patriotic  as  well  as  a  prominent  American 
ancestry.  His  great-great-grandfather  came  from  Germany  prior  to  the 
Revolution  and  settled  in  Pennsylvania,  and  his  great-grandfather  served  in 
the  struggle  for  Independence  as  a  captain  in  the  army.  His  grandfather 
was  a  prominent  citizen  of  the  commonwealth,  having  served  as  Sheriff  1812 
to  1815,  and  was  a  member  of  the  Legislature  in  1822.  Removing  to 
Bloomsburg,  Pa.,  in  1827  he  purchased  the  Columbia  Register  and  con- 
ducted that  paper  until  1843.  He  served  as  justice  of  the  peace  for  40 
years  and  died  in  1862.  He  married  a  daughter  of  General  Joseph  Isreal. 
of  Delaware,  a  veteran  of  the  Revolution,  from  which  union  were  born 
16  children,  one  of  whom  was  Ebenezer  Greenough,  father  of  the  subject  of 
this  sketch.  On  his  grandmother's  side  is  a  long  and  distinguished 
ancestry,  the  grandfather  being  the  Rev.  James  Ewing,  who  for  50  years 
was    a    prominent   minister    in    the    Methodist    Episcopal    Church,    whose 


776  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

father  also  was  a  minister  in  same  denomination,  in  the  long  line  of 
descendants  of  this  man  of  God,  four  other  ministers  came  and  fulfilling 
their  mission  have  gone. 

William  H.  Painter  was  born  at  Mauch  Chunk,  Pa.,  July  4,  1853,  and 
when  seven  years  of  age  he  with  his  parents  removed  to  Harrisburg,  where 
he  still  resides.  Having  received  a  common  school  education,  he  studied 
dentistry  and  attended  the  Pennsylvania  Dental  College  in  Philadelphia 
from  which  institution  he  graduated  and  received  his  degree  D.D.S.  in  the 
class*  of  1881.  He  was  married  in  Reading,  Pa.,  December  23,  1882,  to 
Miss  Hattie  B.,  daughter  of  Conrad  and  Sarah  Anthony,  of  Easton,  Pa. 
Three  children  was  the  fruit  of  this  union,  two  of  whom,  Marion  E.  and 
Sarah  A.  are  living.  The  home  life  of  this  little  family  is  most  happy 
and  affectionate,  always  sunshiny  and  cheerful. 

It  is  as  a  member  of  the  Jr.  0.  U.  A.  M.  that  Dr.  Painter  is  most 
favorably  known.  He  united  with  John  Harris  Council,  No.  174,  but 
subsequently  withdrew  and  was  instrumental  in  organizing  Capital  City 
Council,  No.  327,  and  was  one  of  its  charter  members.  For  years  he  repre- 
sented the  Council  in  the  State  Body,  serving  one  year  as  State  Council 
Sentinel,  and  in  1889  was  appointed  a  National  Representative  and  at- 
tended the  National  session  at  Haverhill,  Mass.,  and  same  year  was  elected 
to  fill  out  the  unexpired  term  of  one  of  the  Representatives,  and  again 
was  elected  to  represent  the  State  Council  in  the  higher  body  in  1899. 
Brother  Painter  was  elected  National  Conductor  at  one  session  of  the 
National  Body  and  attended  the  session  at  San  Francisco,  Cal.,  in  1903, 
as  a  member  of  a  National  Council  Committee. 

Dr.  Painter's  activity  in  the  organization  is  noteworthy.  In  every 
movement  and  work  that  has  for  its  purpose  the  uplifting  and  advancement 
of  the  Order,  he  has  always  been  in  the  forefront — very  frequently 
jeopardizing  his  practice.  As  a  speaker  he  commands  attention  and  his 
presence  in  the  Councils  is  appreciated.  When  the  Garb  Bill  hung  in  a 
balance,  its  foes  bringing  upon  Governor  Hastings  great  pressure  to  veto 
same,  Dr.  Painter's  argument  at  the  final  hearing  before  the  Chief 
Executive  and  his  cabinet  carried  conviction,  and  as  stated  elsewhere,  the 
bill  became  a  law.  Dr.  Painter  is  also  a  Past  Noble  Grand  of  Peace 
and  Plenty  Lodge,  No.  69,  I.  O.  O.  F.,  and  Past  Commander  of  Cincin- 
natus  Commandery,  No.  96,  K.  of  M.  He  is  also  an  active  member  of 
Lady  Alpha  Lodge,  No.  15,  Daughters  of  America. 

All  who  know  Dr.  Painter,  know  him  to  be  a  genial,  big-hearted 
Junior,  full  of  pent-up  patriotism,  a  fearless  champion  of  the  public 
schools  and  a  true  friend.  He  has  always  stood  up  for  the  principles  of 
the  Order,  sacrificing  time  and  money  in  promulgating  same.  He  has 
organized  two  or  three  Councils  and  at  present  is  a  member  of  John 
Harris  Council,  No.   174. 

GEORGE  W.  AROLD 
Past  State  Councilor  of  Pennsylvania. 

Thirty-eight  years  ago  (1869)  it  was  said  in  the  Arold  home,  in  the 
City  of  Philadelphia,  that  a  "  man  child "  was  born  and  he  was  subse- 
quently named  after  the  Father  of  his  Country.  After  obtaining  a  com- 
mon school  education,  George  W.  Arold  secured  a  responsible  clerical 
position  in  which  occupation  he  is  still  engaged. 


E.   W.  SELLERS 
Past  State  Councilor  of  Wisconsin 


J.  FRANK  SWEET 
Past  State  Councilor  of  Rhode  Island 


W.  A.  POLLARD 
Past  State  Councilor  of  Colorado 


rev.  JAMES  G.  Mill  1:1: 

Past  State  Councilor  of   Ohio 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  777 

Brother  Arold  began  his  Junior  life  in  Resolution  Council,  No.  6, 
Philadelphia,  in  1887,  since  which  time  he  has  been  an  active  and  tireless 
worker  in  the  organization,  having  for  many  years  served  his  Council  as 
Recording  Secretary.  He  was  admitted  to  the  State  Council  of  Penn- 
sylvania, in  189G,  and  from  that  time  until  1902,  either  as  a  Representative 
or  member  of  the  Finance  Committee,  he  was  in  attendance.  At  the 
latter  session  he  was  selected  State  Vice-Councilor  and  was  placed  in  the 
Chair  of  State  Councilor  in  1903.  His  administration  was  a  strenuous 
one,  giving  much  of  his  time  to  the  work  of  the  Order  in  his  immediate 
district.  He  was  popular  with  the  brethren  and  gave  a  good  account  of 
his  stewardship. 

J.  FRANK  SWEET 
Junior   fast   State   Councilor,    Rhode    Island,    1907-1908. 

Brother  Sweet  was  born  in  Smithfield,  R.  I.,  Sept.  2,  1849.  He  is  a 
millwright  and  for  years  has  been  in  the  employ  of  the  Woonsocket 
Machine  and  Press  Co.,  and  is  sent  by  the  firm  into  all  sections  of  the 
country.  He  united  with  the  Order  in  1893  and  has  been  and  still  is  one 
of  the  strong  pillars  of  Rhode  Island  Juniorism.  The  records  show  that 
at  the  session  of  the  State  Council  in  1905,  Brother  Sweet  was  installed 
State  Vice-Councilor,  having  been  unanimously  elected,  and  succeeded  to 
the  position  of  State  Councilor  at  the  session  of  1906  and  at  this  writing 
( 1908)  is  closing  his  term  as  Junior  Past  State  Councilor.  Under  his 
administration  there  was  much  advance  in  the  Order  in  the  state  and 
a   more  hopeful   spirit   is  shown   by  the  membership. 

Our  brother  is  a  representative  Junior,  sound  in  the  doctrines  of 
the  organization,  believing  that  through  them  must  come  the  influences 
that  shall  cope  with  the  great  issues  that  confront  the  Republic.  It  is 
an  honor  to  any  organization  to  have  at  the  helm  men  with  such  lofty 
ideals  of  citizenship  as  exhibited  by  Brother  Sweet.  May  the  number 
multiply  even  in  the  Subordinate  Councils  of  our  Order. 


CARL  H.   REEVES 
State  Council   Secretary  of  Washington. 

Perhaps  the  youngest  State  Council  Secretary  in  the  entire  galaxy 
of  states  is  Brother  Carl  H.  Reeves,  of  Washington,  son  of  Prof.  Chas. 
F.  Reeves,  Past  National  Councilor.  The  place,  state  and  date  of  his 
birth  was  Allentown,  New  Jersey,  October  24,  1880.  After  securing  a 
good  common  school  education,  both  in  his  native  state  and  Pennsylvania, 
he  finished  his  scholastic  education  in  the  high  school  of  Seattle,  Wash- 
ington, and  at  the  Washington  University,  same  state,  receiving  in  1901 
his  degree  of  Engineering,  in  which  profession  he  is  engaged  in  his  home 
city. 

Brother  Reeves  united  with  the  Order  February  11,  1899,  and  at 
once  he  entered  into  the  spirit  of  the  organization  and  soon  made  advance 
and  was  sent  as  a  Representative  to  the  State  Council  where  h?  was  elected, 
in  1904  (1907).  He  is  a  young  man  of  most  excellent  character  and 
possesses  marked  ability. 


778  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

J.  A.  RIEHL 

Past   State   Councilor  of  Colorado. 

Colorado,  though  small  in  numbers,  nevertheless  out  of  her  bosom  has 
come  to  the  front  in  the  Order,  strong  and  noble  men  to  steer  the  little 
craft  in  the  "  Silver  State."  One  of  those  is  Past  State  Councilor  J.  A. 
Riehl,  and  at  present    (1907),  State  Council   Secretary. 

Brother  Riehl  united  with  the  Order  in  its  opening  life  in  the  state, 
in  1893,  joining  Washington  Council,  located  at  Pueblo,  which  afterward 
consolidated  with  Lincoln  Council,  No.  9,  of  which  he  is  still  a  member. 
His  ability  and  earnestness  were  at  once  recognized,  and  for  several  terms 
he  served  as  Recording  Secretary  of  his  Council  and,  in  fact,  was  never 
out  of  office  in  the  gift  of  his  brethren.  As  a  Representative  to  the  State 
Council,  he  took  an  active  part  in  that  body,  having  been  elected  State 
Vice-Councilor  in  1903  and  succeeded  to  the  Chair  of  State  Councilor  in 
1904,  in  which  position  he  served  with  honor  to  the  fraternity,  organizing 
two  new  Councils  as  the  results  of  his  labors.  In  1906,  he  was  appointed 
State  Council   Secretary. 

Not  only  as  a  Junior  is  our  brother  prominent,  but  as  a  member  of 
the  Daughters  of  America  he  has  manifested  the  same  zeal  and  patriotism 
and  has  in  both  organizations  left  an  impress  upon  the  minds  of  his  co- 
laborers.  He  is  also  a  member  of  Camp  29,  Woodmen  of  the  World,  and 
is  connected  with  Welcome  Castle  of  the  Royal  Highlanders. 

L.   C.   SHANNON 
State  Councilor   of   California,    1907-1908. 

In  the  vigor  of  manhood,  the  Order  in  California  has  at  its  head  an 
enthusiastic  Junior  whose  red-hot  earnestness  should  bring  large  results — 
State  Councilor  L.  C.  Shannon.  In  his  official  call  upon  the  members  of 
the  Order  in  the  state  to  work,  he  asserts  an  axiomatic  truth  that  "  nothing 
is  more  essential  than  energy  and  perseverance  " ;  these  he  claims  are  "  two 
of  the  great  secrets  of  the  successful  worker."  Then  he  follows:  "Confi- 
dence is  your  magnet,  and  enthusiasm  is  your  power.  Confidence,  like  a 
friend,  gets  you  a  welcome;  enthusiasm,  like  laughter,  is  catching.  Confi- 
dence disarms  doubt  and  carries  conviction;  enthusiasm  arouses  interest 
and  overcomes  opposition." 

L.  C.  Shannon,  whose  ringing  call,  from  which  we  have  quoted,  has 
gone  forth,  needs  no  pen  to  "  write  him  up  " — his  courage  to  do  battle 
for  the  cause  of  Juniorism  in  a  state  that  has  a  large  opposition  to  the 
principles  of  the  Order,  is  his  own  panegyric. 

Brother  Shannon  was  born  in  Peoria,  Illinois,  March  20,  1874,  but 
subsequently  removed  to  Colorado,  from  which  state  he  again  removed 
in  1891,  and  adopted  California  as  his  future  home.  Early  in  life  he 
learned  the  hardwood  finishing  business  and  has  followed  that  line  of 
work  ever  since.  He  has  for  many  years  been  foreman  and  superintendent 
in  the  construction  of  large  buildings  of  California,  among  which  were 
the  Postoffice  and  Federal  Court  buildings  of  San  Francisco.  The  beautiful 
cabinet  woodwork  fittings  in  these  two  structures  required  two  years 
work  and  are  said  to  be  the  finest  finished  government  buildings  to  be 
found  in  the  United  States. 


REV.  R.  D.  HARDING 

Past  State  Councilor  of  Kentucky 


L.   C.  SHANNON 
Past  State  Councilor  of  California 


J.  M.  RIDDLE 
Past  State  Councilor  of  Washington 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  77!> 

When  the  Jr.  0.  U.  A.  ML.  was  resuscitated  in  California,  Brother 
Shannon  early  connected  himself  with  the  organization,  joining  Gen.  Geo. 
A.  Custer  Council,  No.  22,  March  5,  1895,  of  which  he  has  been  an  active 
member  and  at  the  same  time  has  been  a  strong  adherent  of  the  doctrines 
and  teachings  of  the  Order,  lie  at  once  became  very  much  imbued  witli 
the  principles  of  the  organization  and  accepted  them  heartily.  Alter  serv- 
ing in  nearly  every  position  in  the  gift  of  his  Council,  he  was  elected 
Representative  to  the  State  Council  and  was  admitted  to  that  body  in 
1901,  and  was  given  a  place  on  the  Law  Committee.  He  also  served  one 
term  as  Chaplain  and  also  as  Conductor  of  the  State  Council.  In  1900  he 
was  elected  State  Vice-Councilor  and  the  year  following  Slate  Councilor. 
His  work  on  the  Committee  to  distribute  the  funds  of  the  Order  to  the 
members  who  suffered  in  the  great  calamity  of  San  Francisco  in  190G,  is 
well  known,  and  his  efforts  to  bring  order  out  of  chaos  in  the  organization 
will  ever  be  appreciated  by  his  fellow-patriots  of  California. 


EDMOND  L.  S.  BOUTON 

National   Representative  from   Virginia   and 

Past    State    Councilor. 

Past  State  Councilor  Bouton  of  Va.,  was  born  at  Port  Chester,  N.  Y., 
May  8,  1855;  was  educated  in  the  public  schools,  and  for  five  years  was 
a  clerk  in  a  Wall  Street  banking  house,  resigning  in  February,  1878,  to 
remove  to  Kansas  where  he  engaged  in  ranching,  and  later  published  a 
Republican  paper  at  the  county  seat — Russell.  This  brought  him  into 
politics,  and  in  September,  1889,  he  was  appointed  to  a  special  position 
in  the  Treasury  Department  at  Washington,  which,  after  about  three  years, 
he  resigned  to  accept  the  position  of  Private  Secretary  to  United  States 
Senator  B.  W.  Perkins,  of  Kansas,  and  Clerk  of  a  Special  Committee  of 
the  Senate.  Upon  his  arrival  at  Washington,  Brother  Bouton  located  at 
Vienna,  Va.,  a  few  miles  from  the  National  Capital,  where  he  has  since 
resided,  and  has  become  prominently  identified  with  local  affairs,  having 
been  a  member  of  the  Town  Council  for  over  twelve  years,  a  member  of 
the  School  Board  for  several  years,  and  for  four  years  has  been  Republican 
County  Chairman  of  Fairfax  County. 

Brother  Bouton  is  a  charter  member  of  Vienna  Council,  No.  97, 
Jr.  O.  U.  A.  M.,  which  was  instituted  July  4,  1896;  was  its  first  Past 
Councilor  and  held  the  position  of  Recording  Secretary  for  eighteen  con- 
secutive terms,  but  was  compelled  to  decline  further  service  on  account 
of  increasing  official  business,  he  being  Postmaster,  which  position  he  has 
held  for  the  last  ten  years.  Upon  the  reorganization  of  the  Order  in 
Virginia,  Brother  Bouton  was  unanimously  elected  State  Councilor  without 
his  previous  knowledge,  no  nomination  being  made  against  him.  Under 
his  administration  the  Order  made  remarkable  progress  considering  the 
adverse  conditions  then  existing.  He  has  been  a  hard  fighter  for  the  cause 
in  Virginia,  and  while  he  much  prefers  peace,  he  will  have  it  only  on 
honorable  terms,  or  fight  until  he  gets  it.  He  was  elected  National  Repre- 
sentative from  Virginia  and  attended  the  sessions  of  the  National  Council 
at  Milwaukee,  San  Francisco,  St.  Louis  and  Nashville,  and  as  National 
Inside  Sentinel  was  in  attendance  at  the  Boston  session.     Brother  Bouton 


780  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

is  also  a  Mason,  being  Past  Master  of  Crescent  Lodge,  No.  236,  A.  F.  & 
A.  M.,  Vienna,  Va.,  and  is  now  its  Secretary. 

The  above  is  but  a  brief  sketch  of  the  life  of  Brother  Bouton.  His 
loyalty  to  the  mandates  of  the  National  Council  and  the  principles  of  the 
Order  developed  those  fighting  qualities  of  our  brother  referred  to,  and 
no  man  stood  more  valiantly  for  the  right  than  he.  When  Virginia  fol- 
lowed the  revolt  of  1899,  the  majority  of  the  State  Council  having  "  made 
their  bed,"  Brother  Bouton  would  not  lie  therein,  and  hence  the  organiza- 
tion of  a  new  State  Council  was  brought  about  and  Brother  Bouton  was 
honored  as  the  first  State  Councilor.  The  new  organization  has  had  its 
reverses.  The  courts  of  the  state  have  been  arrayed  against  it  and  the 
Supreme  Court  of  the  United  States  has  confirmed  the  lower  tribunals. 
But  Brother  Bouton  is  not  the  man  to  cry  "  defeat " ;  and  when  the  storm 
clouds  are  lifted  the  Order  will  find  him  in  the  van  with  his  fighting 
clothes  on,  leading  old  Virginia,  the  "  Mother  of  Presidents,"  to  victory 
and  success. 

REV.  R.  D.  HARDING 

National     Representative    from     Kentucky    and 
Past  State  Councilor. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  first  saw  the  light  of  day  near  Burkeville, 
Va.,  June  3,  1863.  Reared  on  a  farm,  he  attended  the  public  schools  of 
his  county;  later  the  Louisa  Male  Academy,  Louisa,  Va.,  for  two  years; 
Kandolph-Macon  College,  Ashland,  Va.,  one  year;  and  the  University  of 
Kentucky,  Lexington,  Ky.,  three  years,  from  which  Institution  he  gradu- 
ated in  June,  1891. 

His  first  ministry  after  graduation  was  in  Wilson,  N.  C,  where  he 
remained  but  six  months.  He  then  moved  to  Somerset,  Ky.,  where  he 
spent  three  years,  and  during  which  time  he  built  and  paid  for  a  neat, 
brick  church  at  a  cost  of  $8,000,  and  more  than  doubled  the  membership 
of  the  church.  From  there  he  came  directly  to  his  present  locality,  Dayton, 
Ky.,  where  he  has  been  for  twelve  years,  and  has  built  a  neat  stone 
church  at  a  cost  of  $12,000,  and  towards  the  erection  of  which  many  of 
the  Juniors  throughout  this  great  land  contributed. 

On  July  13,  1901,  he  became  a  member  of  Custer  Council,  No.  10, 
Jr.  O.  U.  A.  M.  of  Dayton,  Ky.,  and  soon  filled  the  most  important  offices 
in  his  Council.  As  soon  as  eligible  he  was  elected  representative  to  the 
State  Council  which  met  that  year  in  Newport,  and  was  at  this  session 
elected  State  Council  Chaplain,  which  office  he  filled  for  two  successive 
sessions.  In  September,  1905,  he  was  elected  State  Councilor  of  Kentucky, 
and  during  his  term  of  office,  forty-one  new  Councils  were  instituted, 
being  the  largest  number  ever  instituted  during  any  one  year  in  this 
state.  There  was  also  the  greatest  gain  in  membership  obtained  in  any 
one  year,  and  the  greatest  advance  in  finances.  In  1906  he  was  elected 
to  a  long  term  as  a  Representative  to  the  National  Council,  and  while 
attending  his  first  National  session  in  Boston,  had  the  honor  of  nominating 
Brother  H.  L.  W.  Taylor  for  National  Vice-Councilor. 

Brother  Harding  is  a  clear,  deliberate  yet  forcible  speaker,  and  his 
suave  disposition  and  knightly  bearing  has  won  for  him  universal  respect 
and  esteem.  No  officer  of  the  State  Council  of  Kentucky  has  come  so 
close  to  the  heart  of  the  Order  as  he.     From  one  end  of  the  state  to  the 


CHAS.  S.  DAVIS 

State  Council  Secretary  of  Maryland 


FRANK  ANDERSON 
State  Councilor  of  Kansas,  1908-1909 


BRENT  SHR1VER 
State  Council  Secretary"  of  West  Virginia 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  78] 

other  he  has  travelled  in  the  interest  of  the  Organization,  visiting  Councils, 
presenting  flags,  addressing  public  meetings  and  preaching  sermons;  and 
his  great  success  has  come  in  the  sacrifice  of  time  and  much  cost  of 
physical  exertion,  by  visiting  inland  Councils,  far  removed  from  railroad 
communication,  whore  the  presence  of  a  state  officer  is  scarcely  Been,  knd 
though  he  has  laid  aside  the  insigna  of  ollice  as  State  Councilor,  -till  there 
is  no  cessation  to  his  work.  But  "  on  the  wing,"  day  and  night,  Brother 
Harding  is  preaching  the  doctrines  of  our  noble  Order.  Along  with  hie 
church  and  Junior  duties,  he  is  at  the  same  time  publishing  a  paper  in 
the  interest  of  the  Organization  in  the  state,  as  well  as  writing  up 
certificates,  running  into  tens  of  thousands  of  dollars  of  insurance  in 
the  Beneficiary  Degree.  In  the  prime  of  a  vigorous  manhood,  with  a  soul 
thoroughly  imbued  with  the  gospel  of  Juniorism,  the  State  of  Kentucky 
and  the  National  Council  will,  for  years,  have  the  influence  of  his  godly 
example  and  noble  life. 

BRENT   SHRIVER 

State   Council   Secretary  of  West   Virginia. 

A  native  of  West  Virginia,  Brother  Brent  Shriver  was  born  June 
28,  1859.  Having  received  a  good  common  school  education,  he  engaged 
for  some  time  in  teaching  school,  thereby  becoming  fully  imbued  with 
the  spirit  of  popular  education.  When  the  oil  industry  was  developed 
in  the  state,  Brother  Shriver  became  associated  with  the  business  and 
served  in  several  companies.  At  present  (1907)  he  is  engaged  in  the 
mercantile  business  in  New  Martinsville. 

On  removing  to  the  latter  place  in  1890,  Brother  Shriver  united  with 
the  local  Council  Jr  0.  U.  A.  M.  the  same  year,  proved  himself  an  earnest 
and  faithful  member  of  the  same,  having  been  honored  by  the  Council  as 
Representative  to  the  State  Council  where  his  qualities  of  character  and 
strength  of  manhood  brought  him  further  honors  by  being  elected  State 
Council  Secretary  at  the  session  of  1893,  to  which  position  he  has  been 
reelected  at  the  close  of  each  term  since. 

The  above  sketch  is  brief,  and  it  does  not  by  any  means  tell  the 
story  of  a  true  life  humbly  and  quietly  lived.  That  he  has  held  the  office 
of  State  Council  Secretary  for  14  years  (1907)  is  abundant  evidence  of 
the  esteem  by  which  he  is  held  among  his  brethren  and  the  confidence 
reposed  in  him.  As  a  further  recogniton  of  his  services  in  the  Order,  as 
per  action  of  the  National  Council,  his  State  Council  conferred  upon  him 
the  honors  of  Past  State  Councilor,  he  having  served  as  State  Council 
Secretary  ten  consecutive  years. 


CHARLES  S.  DAVIS 
State   Council    Secretary   of  Maryland. 

On  December  21,  1858,  Charles  S.  Davis  was  born  in  the  City  of 
Baltimore,  Md.,  and  his  residence  has  continued  in  that  city  up  to  the 
present.  On  March  15,  1876,  Brother  Davis  became  a  member  of  Western 
Star  Council,  No.  12,  which  subsequently  consolidated  with  Baltimore 
Council,  No.  I,  of  which  he  is  still  a  member.  Active  and  enthusiastic, 
he  was  soon  called  upon  to  serve  in  the  various  subordinate  positions  of 


782  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

his  Council,  and  was  elected  State  Councilor  in  1883.  In  1893  he  was 
elected  Secretary  of  the  Funeral  Benefit  Association  of  Maryland,  which 
position  he  filled  until  1895,  when  he  was  appointed  State  Council  Secretary 
of  Maryland,  to  fill  the  unexpired  term  of  Brother  Ogle,  who  resigned  his 
office;  and  at  the  next  session  of  the  State  Council  he  was  unanimously 
elected  and  has  been  reelected  without  opposition  ever  since  to  the  same 
position.  As  a  special  mark  of  honor,  in  1906,  the  honors  of  Past  State 
Councilor  were  conferred  upon  him,  in  lieu  of  ten  consecutive  years  of 
service  as  State  Council  Secretary. 

The  Order  in  Maryland,  since  Brother  Davis  has  filled  the  office 
of  State  Council  Secretary,  has  made  great  advancement,  the  membership 
increasing  from  14,964  to  23,140.  His  records  indicate  care  and  efficiency 
in  their  keeping,  as  the  writer  can  very  readily  verify.  Modest  and  un- 
assuming, the  Order  in  Maryland  can  congratulate  itself  on  having  a 
"  scribe "  who  pursues  his  work  so  systematically  and  methodically. 


FRANK  E.  ANDERSON 
State  Vice-Councilor   (1908-1909)   of  Kansas. 

One  of  the  younger  members  of  the  Junior  army,  State  Councilor 
(1908-1909)  of  the  State  Council  of  Kansas,  and  one  of  the  Order's 
most  active  workers,  is  Brother  Frank  E  Anderson,  of  Iola,  Kansas. 
Brother  Anderson  is  a  product  of  Indiana,  having  been  born  at  Brazil, 
February  5,  1882,  and  spent  his  early  years  on  a  farm.  His  parents 
having  moved  to  Terre  Haute,  same  state,  Frank  attended  the  public- 
schools  and  for  sometime  the  high  school  until  he  was  17  years  of  age, 
when  he  started  out  to  "  paddle  his  own  canoe."  His  father  having  served 
bravely  and  well  his  country  in  the  Civil  War,  being  wounded  on  the 
battlefield,  his  recital  of  the  experiences  of  his  military  career  fired  up 
the  heart  of  the  boy  with  old-time  patriotism,  that  by  the  time  Frank 
was  old  enough  to  join  the  Juniors  he  connected  himself  with  Lincoln 
Council,  No.  56,  of  Terre  Haute,  Indiana,  wherein  he  found  the  patriotic 
manna  his  enthusiastic  nature  was  craving  for,  often  in  the  darkest  of 
nights  and  through  the  muddiest  of  roads  he  walked  six  miles  to  attend 
his  Council.  He  also  took  part  in  the  organization  of  other  Councils,  and 
when  duty  called,  our  brother  was  ready  to  respond. 

His  removal  to  Iola,  State  of  Kansas,  where  he  is  employed  as 
head  salesman  in  a  large  hardware  establishment,  did  not  cool  his  ardor 
in  the  promulgation  of  the  principles  of  the  Order,  but  at  once  continued 
his  work  and  succeeded  in  organizing  Iola  Council,  No.  41,  of  Kansas,  June 
1,  1906,  which,  under  his  supervison  has  become  one  of  the  strongest 
Councils  in  the  state.  His  election  as  Representative  to  his  State  Council 
brought  him  prominently  before  that  body  which  honored  itself  in  electing 
him  State  Vice-Councilor  on  February  13,  1907,  and  at  the  same  time  ap- 
pointed him  State  Organizer.  At  the  present  writing  (1908),  as  State 
V.-Councilor,  Brother  Anderson  already  shows  fruits  of  his  labors,  by  organ- 
izing and  instituting  La  Harp  Council,  No.  4,  and  reorganizing  Border 
Queen  Council,  No.  39,  and  arousing  increased  interest  in  his  jurisdiction. 

Brother  Anderson  is  a  staunch  believer  in  Juniorism  and  is  in  hearty 
accord  with   its   objects   and  principles   and  recognizes  it  as  the  greatest 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  783 

patriotic  Order  in  the  land.  He  is  an  ardent  friend  of  the  Benificiary 
Degree  and  has  in  one  year  written  more  applications  for  it  than  was 
ever  written  in  the  state  since  the  adoption  of  the  Degree. 

The  married  life  of  our  brother  has  resulted  in  one  child,  a  boy,  who 
is  "a  chip  of  the  old  block,"  whose  young  heart  is  already  yearning  for 
the  day  when  he  can  "ride  the  goat"  and  be  as  good  a  Junior  as  his 
papa. 

J.    M.    KIDDLE 
Past  State   Councilor  of  the  State  of   Washington. 

The  life-story  of  our  brother  from  Bellingham,  Washington,  if  we 
could  produce  it,  would  read  like  a  romance,  but  the  scope  of  this  work 
will  not  permit.  Brother  Riddle  is  a  Pennsylvanian  by  birth,  having 
entered  this  world  on  Friday,  March  23,  1860,  at  or  near  Black  Ash, 
Venango  County.  When  but  a  babe  his  parents  removed  to  Southern 
Minnesota,  and  later  farther  west  in  same  state,  and  then  returned  east- 
ward to  La  Crosse,  Wisconsin.  From  this  place,  when  a  lad  of  six  years, 
the  subject  of  our  sketch  "  struck  out "  for  himself,  travelling  several 
hundreds  of  miles,  and  finally  when  but  11  years  of  age,  he  sought  the 
great  logging  camps  of  Northern  Minnesota  where,  amid  "  God's  first 
temples,"  he  lived  and  worked  for  several  years.  On  leaving  the  pines  he 
returned  to  Minneapolis,  and  subsequently  found  himself  a  man  toithout 
his  country,  having  passed  over  the  line  into  British  Columbia.  The 
American  blood  of  our  brother  chilled  under  such  an  atmosphere  and 
he  soon  returned  to  the  land  of  "  Old  Glory  "  and  settled  at  Bellingham. 
Washington,  where  he  has  resided  ever  since.  However,  previous  to  his 
going  to  Bellingham,  Brother  Riddle  had  sent  for  "  his  best  girl,"  an 
American  girl  from  Minnesota,  who  went  all  the  way  to  British  Columbia 
to  join  her  life  with  his  and  share  his  fortune,  the  latter  of  which  he 
had  but  little  when  he  landed  among  strangers  at  Bellingham,  having,  as 
he  puts  it,  "  but  fifteen  cents  in  his  jeans  pockets."  But  he  was  on 
American  soil,  and  with  grit  and  a  stick-to-it-ive-ness  he  mastered  the 
temporal  difficulties,  and  to-day  is  one  of  the  representative  citizens  of 
the  city  and  is  blessed  with  a  happy  home  and  five  blooming  daughters. 

It  is  as  a  Junior,  however,  he  is  best  known.  He  became  a  charter 
member  of  Bay  City  Council,  No.  3,  of  Washington,  September  30,  1889. 
the  oldest  Council  west  of  the  Mississippi  River.  In  1890,  Brother  Riddle 
was  elected  Vice-Councilor  and  in  September  of  same  year  Councilor,  and  in 
1891  he  represented  his  Council  in  the  State  Council  (at  its  second  annual 
session)  and  was  elected  State  Council  Warden.  He  represented  his  Coun- 
cil at  several  sessions  and  took  an  active  part  therein,  always  a  staunch 
exponent  of  the  doctrines  of  the  Order.  He  was  elected  State  Vice- 
Councilor  in  1895,  but  owing  to  home  environments,  was  unable  to  attend 
the  next  annual  session,  hence  was  not  elected  State  Councilor.  However, 
in  1902  he  was  again  elected  State  Vice-Councilor  and  the  year  subsequent 
was  promoted  State  Councilor,  and  in  1905  he  represented  his  State 
Council  in  the  National  Body  at  Nashville.  He  has  served  12  years  as 
R.  S.  of  his  Council,  as  well  as  Deputy  State  and  Deputy  National  Coun- 
cilor. Our  brother  is  a  loya(  Junior,  every  drop  of  blood  within  him 
sparkles   with   Americanism. 


784  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

ELMER  E.  FREIDLINE 
Past  National  Representative  from  Indiana. 

The  world  has  its  optimists  and  pessimists,  those  who  look  on  the 
bright  or  dark  sides  of  everything,  or  walk  on  the  sunny  side  or  shady 
side  of  the  street  as  the  case  may  be.  To  the  former  class  belongs 
Brother  E.  E.  Freidline,  named  for  the  lamented  patriot,  Elmer  Ellsworth, 
who  fell  early  in  the  Civil  War. 

Elmer  Ellsworth  Freidline  was  born  in  Allen  County,  Indiana,  in 
1867,  and  has  made  that  state  his  home  ever  since,  living  for  years  in 
Jonesboro,  his  present  ( 1907 )  residence.  Having  attended  the  public 
schools,  he  sought  a  higher  standard  of  intellectuality  by  attending  and 
graduating  from  one  of  the  colleges.  Subsequently,  he  was  engaged  for 
years  in  the  profession  of  teaching  having  taught  both  in  the  common 
and  high  schools  of  his  state.  However,  he  chose  for  his  life  work  the 
legal  profession,  having  been  admitted  to  the  bar  in  1887,  since  which 
time  he  has  been  actively  engaged  in  the  practice  of  law  before  the 
County,  State  and  Federal  Courts,  and  is  at  the  present  time  Prosecuting 
Attorney  of  the  Forty-eighth  Judicial  Circuit  of  the  State  of  Indiana. 

Brother  Freidline's  identification  with  the  Junior  Order  dates  from 
1893,  being  initiated  in  February  of  that  year  in  Grant  Council,  No.  7, 
of  Jonesboro,  and  has  served  in  the  positions  of  Assistant  Secretary,  Vice- 
Councilor,  Councilor  and  Junior  Past  Councilor  and  represented  his  Council 
in  the  State  Council,  which  body  honored  him  and  itself  by  electing  him 
National  Representative  and  he  was  admitted  to  the  National  Council  at 
its  session  held  at  San  Francisco,  California,  in  1903.  Since  then  he  ha^ 
served  the  Order  as  Deputy  National  Councilor  for  three  years  and  in 
various  ways  has  manifested  a  deep  interest  in  the  organization,  being 
one  of  Indiana's  most  active,  progressive  and  wide-awake  members,  whose 
view  of  the  Order  is  optimistic,  believing  in  its  doctrines  and  principles 
as  the  panacea  for  all  our  country's  ills. 


F.  E.  CANAN 
Past  State  Councilor  of  Kansas. 

A  Pennsylvanian  by  birth,  the  subject  of  this  sketch  saw  the  light 
of  day  in  the  City  of  Johnstown,  February  16,  1846.  Removing  to  the 
country  he  spent  his  earlier  years  on  a  farm  with  his  parents,  securing 
but  a  limited  education  from  the  rural  schools.  Returning  to  the  city 
of  his  birth,  he  soon  answered  the  call  of  his  country  by  enlisting  in 
August  of  1864,  in  the  198th  Regiment  of  Pennsylvania  Volunteers,  and 
served  in  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  until  the  close  of  the  war,  being  a 
member  of  the  Fifth  Army  Corps.  Soon  after  his  return  from  the  army, 
he  moved  to  Ohio,  and  later,  1873,  he  followed  Greeley's  advice,  and  con- 
tinued farther  west,  settling  in  Jewell  County,  Kansas,  where  he  engaged 
in  agricultural  pursuits  until  1887  when  he  located  at  Oakley,  same  state, 
where  he  has  since  resided,  being  prominently  engaged  in  Real  Estate  and 
Insurance. 

When  Oakley  Council,  No.  6,  of  Kansas,  was  instituted,  Brother 
Cnnan  was  one  of  its  charter  members  and  was  its  first  Recording  Secre- 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  786 

tary,  filling  the  position  continuously  for  13  years.  On  his  admittance 
to  the  State  Council,  he  was  elected  State  Council  Chaplain,  then  State 
Vice-Councilor  and  a  year  subsequent  was  placed  in  the  State  Councilor's 
Chair.  He  was  elected  alternate  National  Representative  at  the  session 
of  1906. 

H.  H.  EDDY 

Past    State   Councilor   of   Colorado. 

H.  H.  Eddy,  Past  State  Councilor  of  Colorado  to  whom  is  due  the 
present  matchless  governmental  structure  of  the  Jr.  O.  U.  A.  M.,  stands 
in  the  line  of  a  long  and  noble  ancestry.  The  first  American  ancestor  on 
his  father's  side  arrived  at  Plymouth  Rock,  Mass.,  October  29,  1030,  on 
the  ship  "Hand  Maid,"  while  upon  his  mother's  side  not  so  mudi  la 
known,  but  there  can  be  traced  at  least  an  American  grandfather.  His 
mother's  family  was  among  the  first  pioneers  to  Oregon,  the  then  unknown 
Northwest.  His  father's  family  was  also  among  the  early  settlers  of  that 
great  Pacific  empire  and  here  Brother  Eddy's  parents  were  married  and 
here,  in  the  town  of  Milwaukie,  Oregon,  he  was  born  March  11,  1855. 
However,  in   1S65  the  Eddy  family  removed  to  the  State  of  New  York. 

Brother  Eddy  was  much  more  fortunate  than  the  average  American, 
having  secured  a  good  education,  thereby  fitting  him  for  the  larger  sphere 
of  life's  activities  he  was  afterwards  to  enter.  After  obtaining  a  complete 
public  school  education,  he  entered  Clinton  Liberal  Institute,  Clinton, 
N.  Y.,  from  which  he  graduated  in  1870.  Taking  an  advanced  step  he 
entered  Dean  College,  Franklin,  Mass.,  and  graduated  in  1876,  and  turning 
his  attention  to  the  study  of  law,  he  was  admitted  to  the  bar  at  Rochester, 
N.  Y.,  in  1878. 

Turning  his  face  westward,  as  did  his  parents  years  before,  we  find 
our  brother  spending  the  winter  of  1878-1879  at  Topeka,  Kansas,  where 
he  was  admitted  to  the  practice  of  law  in  that  state.  Lured  by  the 
Leadville  gold  fever,  Brother  Eddy  started  for  the  "  Silver  State "  and 
found  in  Colorado  his  future  home,  as  well  as  the  arena  where  his  well 
equipped  mind  could  find  full  play.  After  a  short  residence  in  the  state 
he  became  a  candidate  for  State  Senator  and  was  elected  to  that  office 
in  the  fall  of  1880  and  at  the  close  of  his  term  was  reelected  and  served 
eight  years  in  the  Upper  House.  But  that  energetic  nature  could  not  be 
at  rest,  and  again  he  entered  the  political  arena,  this  time  as  a  candidate 
for  the  House  of  Representatives,  and  was  elected  in  the  fall  of  1888  and 
was  made  Speaker.  In  1890  he  was  reelected  to  the  Lower  House  and  in 
1892,  entered  the  campaign  for  Congress,  but  was  defeated  with  the  rest 
of  the  ticket  by  the  Populist  wave  that  swept  the  state  at  that  time. 

Brother  Eddy's  career  in  the  Junior  Order  has  been  as  prominent 
as  in  the  political  field.  Becoming  a  member  in  1894  he  reached  the 
highest  honor  in  the  gift  of  his  State  Council  and  was  admitted  to  the 
National  Body  at  Louisville,  Ky.,  in  1898.  At  this  session  the  National 
Council  ordered  a  revison  of  the  Constitution  and  the  General  Laws,  and 
that  revision  to  be  made  in  conformity  with  a  recommendation  of  the 
National  Councilor,  approved  by  the  body,  "  That  the  executive  and  judicial 
be  separated  and  a  judiciary  created."  Brother  Eddy  was  appointed  Chair- 
man of  the  incoming  National  Law  Committee  who  substantially  prepared 
the  Constitution  and  General   Laws  as  adopted  at  Minneapolis,  Minn.,  in 

5« 


786  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

1899,  under  which  government  the  Order  is  to-day  working.  It  was  in 
the  preparation  of  this  Constitution  and  Laws  that  the  legal  and  logical 
mind  of  our  brother  had  full  sway  and  when  the  document  came  into  the 
hands  of  the  members  of  the  National  Council  they  realized  that  a  master- 
hand  had  fashioned  it.  One  branch  of  this  government,  the  Judiciary,  was 
soon  to  be  tested  in  the  litigation  that  came  as  the  result  of  the  rebellion 
in  the  Order,  and  it  stood  the  test  well,  and  was  referred  to  by  Judge 
Audenreid  of  the  Philadelphia  Court  as  being  "  the  work  of  a  skilful 
draughtsman."  It  was  a  wise  appointment  on  the  part  of  the  National 
Councilor  that  he  who  fashioned  and  molded  this  great  branch  of  the 
Order  should  also  administer  it  in  the  Judiciary  Court,  hence  Brother 
Eddy  was  chosen  Chief  Supreme  Judge  of  the  National  Judiciary  and  in 
that  position  presided  over  the  Court  of  last  resort  from  which  tribunal 
was  handed  down  opinions  and  decisions  that  in  the  opinion  of  civil  jurists 
were  of  a  high  standard. 

His  line  of  business  having  taken  him  beyond  the  limits  of  the 
United  States,  Brother  Eddy  resigned  from  the  Judiciary  Court  in 
1903,  and  for  a  few  years  the  National  Council  has  been  denied  the 
benefit  of  his  wisdom.  As  we  pen  these  lines  we  learn  that  our  brother 
has  returned  to  his  native  land  where  he  is  sure  to  receive  a  hearty 
greeting    from   his    many    friends. 


MORTON  PHELPS   DICKESON,  M.D.,  Ph.G. 
Past  State  Councilor  of  Pennsylvania. 

Loyal  to  the  core  when  rebellion  within  the  Order  was  rampant  in 
Pennsylvania,  fearless  amid  the  "  smoke  of  battle "  in  upholding  the 
National  Council  and  one  of  Pennsylvania's  most  representative  Juniors,  is 
the  subject  of  this  brief  sketch — Dr.  M.  P.  Dickeson,  Past  State  Councilor 
of  Pennsylvania.  Our  brother  was  born  at  Media,  Pa.,  his  present  resi- 
dence, October  8,  1864,  being  the  son  of  Dr.  Wm.  T.  W.  Dickeson,  an 
eminent  surgeon  and  geologist,  and  Emily  M.  J.  Dickeson,  who  was  the 
daughter  of  Jacob  Snider,  the  patentee  of  the  first  needle  gun — the  Snider 
rifle. 

Dr.  Dickeson  had  the  advantage  of  a  most  excellent  and  thorough 
education,  obtaining  his  first  schooling  at  the  Friends  School  at  Media, 
the  public  schools,  then  at  Shortlidge's  Academy.  Following  his  academic 
course  at  the  latter  institution,  he  entered  Swarthmore  College  and  gradu- 
ated therefrom  in  1883,  receiving  the  title  of  A.M.  This  was  supplemented 
by  a  course  in  the  Philadelphia  College  of  Pharmacy  from  which  he  gradu- 
ated in  18S6  with  the  title  of  Ph.G.  He  then  matriculated  at  the  Medico 
Chirurgical  College  and  accepted  a  position  of  assistant  pharmacist  in 
the  dispensary,  afterwards  became  prosector  for  Prof.  Wm.  Pancoast.  the 
famous  surgeon,  and  later  was  chosen  resident  physician  of  the  hospital 
connected  with  same  institution.  After  graduation  and  obtaining  the 
degree  of  M.D.  in  1888,  Brother  Dickeson  took  up  the  practice  of  medicine 
at  Rockdale,  Pa.,  and  has  been  eminently  successful  in  his  chosen  profes- 
sion being  recognized  as  one  of  the  leading  physicians  in  Delaware  County. 

When  Rockdale  Council,  No.  803,  was  organized,  Dr.  Dickeson  was 
one  of  its  active  spirits  and  from  his  inception  in  the  Order  he  has  taken 
a    conspicuous    part   in   the    organization,    and    evincing   qualifications    of 


UNITED  AMERICAN    MECHANICS  787 

leadership  he  soon  came  to  the  front.  Recognizing  the  fact  of  the  dis- 
crimination against  the  country  Councils  on  the  part  of  the  city  Councils, 
Dr.  Dickeson  championed  the  cause  of  the  rural  districts,  especially  of 
his  own,  known  as  the  Eastern  District,  and  effected  an  organization  that 
linally  brought  to  them  the  proper  recognition,  which  made  aim  the 
logical  candidate  of  the  country  Councils  for  State  Vice-Councilor  in  189<>. 
and  after  a  warm  contest  in  which  three  candidates  from  the  City  ol 
Philadelphia  were  his  competitors,  he  won  out  h\  a  nice  majority  at 
Gettysburg  the  same  year.  It  was,  however,  at  the  sessioo  of  the  State 
Council  in  1895  that  Dr.  Dickesons  ability  as  a  debater  was  first  brought 
out  in  his  attack  on  the  action  of  the  Appeal  Committee,  which  decree 
involved  his  own  Council.  A  fighter  every  inch  of  him  and  having  a 
righteous  cause  to  defend,  he  met  every  argument  and  succeeded  in 
reversing  the  decree  of  the  above  named  committee.  The  writer  who 
served  on  the  Board  of  Otlicers  with  Dr.  Dickeson  as  State  Councilor  and 
Jr.  Past  State  Councilor,  wishes  in  this  connection  to  bear  testimony 
to  the  high  standard  of  manhood  as  well  as  ability  displayed  by  him. 
He  was  a  tireless  worker,  making  144  official  visits  to  the  Councils  during 
his  term  of  State  Vice-Councilor,  principally  to  isolated  Councils,  and 
during  the  same  term  he  instituted  7  new  Councils  and  reorganized  2,  at 
the  same  time  carrying  on  his  extensive  medical  practice.  On  his  promo- 
tion to  the  position  of  State  Councilor  in  1897  he  brought  with  him  a  fully 
equipped  mind  and  gave  to  the  organization  a  year  of  hard  and  honest 
work.  While  his  term  as  State  Councilor  resulted  in  a  small  loss — in 
fact  there  had  been  for  years  a  gradual  decrease  owing  to  causes  over 
which  no  one  had  control — so  effectual  was  his  work  in  his  own  district, 
that  he  came  up  to  the  session  at  the  close  of  his  administration  with 
a  total  gain  over  the  previous  year  of  nearly  900  members. 

When  the  revolt  of  1899  came,  like  a  stonewall,  Dr.  Dickeson  stood 
up  against  the  unholy  conspiracy  in  his  own  state,  and  on  the  floor  of  the 
State  Council  at  Scranton  fearlessly  upheld  the  mandates  of  the  National 
Council  and  met  the  vicious  attacks  of  the  insurgents  with  strong 
arguments  in  defense  of  loyalty  and  right. 

In  medical  and  other  fraternal  organizations  Dr.  Dickeson  has  also 
a  prominent  place.  He  occupies  a  position  upon  the  State  Board  of 
Medical  Examiners  of  Pennsylvania,  being  appointed  thereon  by  the 
Governor  of  the  state.  He  is  also  a  member  of  the  Delaware  County 
Medical  Society,  of  the  Philadelphia  Medical  Club,  Pennsylvania  Medical 
Society,  State  Board  of  Health  and  of  the  American  Medical  Association. 

As  we  write  these  words  of  our  genial  friend  and  brother,  the  public 
press  announce  the  happy  marriage  of  the  Doctor,  on  September  20,  1907, 
with  Miss  Alice  Smith  Baker,  the  accomplished  daughter  of  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Philip  Baker,  of  Media,  Pa. 

GEO.    S.    FORD 
State   Council    Secretary   of   Pennsylvania. 

George  S.  Ford  was  born  in  Upper  Derby,  Pennsylvania,  June  17, 
1867,  and  after  securing  from  the  public  schools  a  preliminary  education, 
he  removed  to  the  City  of  Philadelphia  where  he  finished  his  studies  in 
the  high  school,  and  then  entered  upon  a  clerkship  in  n  larpe  textile 
company  which  he  held  for  many  years. 


788  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

Brother  Ford  became  a  charter  member  of  Cohocksink  Council,  No. 
526,  at  its  institution  and  has  served  in  every  office  in  the  gift  of  the 
Council  and  was  admitted  to  the  State  Council  in  1892  as  a  Representative 
of  his  Council  and  has  attended  every  session  of  the  State  Body  since  that 
time.  For  14  years  he  has  been  the  Financial  Secretary  of  his  Council 
which  position  he  still  holds  at  this  date  (1908).  However  that  which 
has  brought  Brother  Ford  so  prominently  before  the  Order  in  his  state, 
was  the  position  of  clerk  to  the  State  Council  Secretary,  having  been 
appointed  September,  1891,  which  position  he  filled  very  efficiently  until 
September,  1907.  In  connection  with  his  duties  as  clerk  to  the  Secretary, 
every  third  year  he  was  clerk  to  the  State  Councilor,  when  that  office 
came  to  the  Eastern  District.  It  was  here  that  he  received  his  training, 
under  both  the  National  and  State  Council  Secretary,  that  made  him  the 
unopposed  candidate  for  State  Council  Secretary  at  the  session  of  the 
State  Body,  held  at  Wilkes-Barre,  September,  1907,  on  the  voluntary  retire- 
ment of  Brother  Edw.  S.  Deemer ;  the  first,  and  with  the  exception  of  the 
three  years  he  was  "  passing  the  chairs,"  the  only  State  Council  Secretary 
of  the  old  Keystone  State. 

Brother  Ford  is  also  prominent  in  other  fraternal  organizations, 
being  Past  Master  of  Keystone  Lodge,  No.  271,  F.  &  A.  M. ;  a  member  of 
Columbia  Chapter,  R.  A.  C,  No.  91 ;  and  Past  Archon  and  Secretary  of 
American  Conclave,  No.  4,  Improved  Order  of  Heptasophs;  he  is  also 
connected  with  Chosen  Friends  Castle,  No.  33,  K.  G.  E.,  Philadelphia 
Mercantile  Beneficial  Association  and  Past  Grand  of  Robert  Morris  Lodge, 
No.  29,  I.  O.  O.  F. 

JNO.    G.    FRY 

Junior  Past  State  Councilor,  Pennsylvania    (1907-1908). 

Junior  Past  State  Councilor  Fry,  of  Pennsylvania,  has  passed  his 
fiftieth  mile-stone,  yet  he  is  considered  one  of  the  "  boys,"  and  is  known 
as  a  "  hustler."  Brother  Fry  was  born  September  26,  1857,  in  the  City 
of  Philadelphia,  where  he  has  lived  all  his  life  and  received  his  education 
in  the  public  schools. 

Brother  Fry  became  an  active  worker  in  the  Junior  Order  by  being 
initiated  into  Monument  Council,  No.  125,  of  Philadelphia,  which,  however, 
shortly  after  consolidated  with  Greble  Council,  No.  13.  In  1891  he  organ- 
ized Ivy  Council,  No.  970,  being  one  of  its  charter  members  and  has  been 
a  member  ever  since.  His  zeal  for  the  advancement  of  the  Order  was 
recognized  and  as  the  Representative  of  the  Council  he  became  prominent 
in  the  State  Body.  Locally  he  was  energetic  in  the  interest  of  the  District 
and  served  as  Deputy  State  Councilor  under  many  of  the  State  Councilors 
and  was  instrumental  in  the  organization  of  Betsy  Ross  and  Kenderton 
Councils  in  the  City  of  Philadelphia.  He  also  served  as  a  member  of  the 
State  Council  Finance  Committee. 

A  larger  field  for  activity  was  opened  to  our  brother  by  his  election 
to  the  position  of  State  Vice-Councilor  by  a  large  majority  over  his 
competitor.  Into  this  enlarged  sphere  he  entered  with  renewed  enthusiasm, 
visiting  Councils  nightly  until  every  Council  in  his  district  was  visited, 
and  keeping  in  close  touch  with  the  organizaton.  Durng  his  term  as  State 
Vice-Councilor   he   organized    in   his   district   four   new   Councils   and   had 


UNITED  AMERICAN    MECHANICS  789 

several  to  return  thai  had  withdrawn  from  the  -National  Council  or  had 
remained  neutral.  At  the  same  time  be  assisted  in  the  organization  of 
the  Orphans'  Home  Association  of  the  Eastern  District  and  the  Second 
Regiment,  Jr.  O.  U.  A.  M.  At  the  session  of  the  State  Council  in  1900 
Brother  Fry  was  advanced  to  the  station  of  State  Councilor  and  therefore 
had  a  still  larger  field  of  operations.  During  hi~  term  there  were  in-ii 
tuted  17  new  Councils  and  an  increase  of  5,00(»  members  was  reported. 
He  devoted  seven  months  of  the  year  to  his  work  visiting  Councils  through- 
out the  jurisdiction  and  arousing  interest  in  the  brotherhood.  As  Junior 
Past  State  Councilor  his  enthusiasm  continues  unabated  and  at  this  writing 
(May  1,  190S)  two  new  Councils  have  been  organized  in  his  district  with 
several  more  under  way.  In  a  private  note  to  the  writer  he  expressed  his 
desire  that  the  Order  in  the  grand  old  Keystone  State  would  reach  100,000 
strong  and  to  that  end  he  would  concentrate  his  every  effort. 


ROBERT  A.   MAGILL 

Past  National  Representative  from  Pennsylvania  and  Secretary 
National    Finance   Committee. 

Robert  A.  Magill,  Past  National  Representative  from  Pennsylvania, 
was  born  in  the  City  of  Pittsburg,  Pa.,  April  25,  1865,  and  subsequently, 
1885,  removed  to  Philadelphia,  where  he  now  resides.  He  sought  and 
obtained  a  good  public  school  education,  then  entered  the  mercantile 
business  carrying  on  a  men's  furnishing  establishment  for  10  years,  when 
he  was  led  gradually  into  the  real  estate  business  and  finally  disposed  of 
his  business  in  1900  and  entered  into  that  of  real  estate  in  which  he  has 
been  very  successful. 

Brother  Magill's  connection  with  the  Junior  Order  dates  from  April 
13,  1890,  at  which  time  he  united  with  John  E.  Armstrong  Council,  No. 
130,  and  same  year  was  elected  its  Treasurer  to  which  position  he  has 
been  reelected  each  year  since.  His  Council  honored  him  further  by  send- 
ing him  as  Representative  to  the  State  Council  in  1896  and  reelected  him 
each  two  years  since,  excepting  when  he  was  a  National  Representative 
which  gave  him  a  voice  and  vote  in  the  State  Body.  Brother  Magill  was 
still  further  honored  by  his  State  Council  in  electing  him  in  1897  for  the 
term  of  five  years  as  National  Representative,  in  which  office  he  served 
with  credit  to  the  great  state  that  sent  him  to  the  National  Council.  At 
the  San  Francisco  session  in  1903  he  served  on  the  National  Judiciary  and 
on  the  Law  Committee  at  the  Boston  session  in  1907.  At  the  latter  session 
the  National  Board  of  Officers  appointed  him  to  the  very  responsible  posi- 
tion of  Secretary  of  the  National  Finance  Committee  which  at  the  present 
time   (1908)   he  holds.     He  has  been  for  18  years  a  member  of  the  S.  of  V. 

Brother  Magill  is  one  of  the  representative  Juniors  of  Pennsylvania, 
deeply  interested  in  the  welfare  of  the  Order,  and  throughout  the  revolt 
in  the  organization  he  championed  the  National  Council  and  believed  its 
cause  just.  He  is  an  affable  brother,  generous  and  kind.  As  a  business 
man  he  is  respected  in  the  city  in  which  he  lives;  as  a  member  of  the 
Order  he  is  tireless  and  fearless  in  maintaining  its  principles;  as  a  citizen, 
a  man  of  society — in  fact  in  any  sphere  of  life  he  is  placed,  he  measures 
up  to  the  standard  and  full  stature  of  true  manhood. 


790  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

ZACHARY  TAYLOR  WOBENSMITH  * 

Past  State  Councilor  of  Pennsylvania. 

Brother  Wobensrnith  is  well  and  favorably  known  to  every  member 
who  has  attended  the  State  Council  of  Pennsylvania  since  1883.  His 
ancestors  were  among  the  Huguenots  driven  from  Alsace-Lorraine  to 
Switzerland,  and  emigrated  to  this  country  about  1750,  settling  in  Berks 
County,  Pa. 

Brother  Wobensrnith  was  born  July  9,  1854,  in  Philadelphia,  educated 
in  the  public  schools  and  was  17  years  in  the  employ  of  the  Reading 
Railroad  in  various  clerical  positions,  and  for  the  last  11  years  on  the 
reportorial  staff  of  R.  G.  Dun  &  Co.'s  mercantile  agency.  He  was 
initiated  into  Schuylkill  Council,  No.  12,  February  16,  1871,  and  after 
filling  several  minor  offices  was  installed  Councilor  January,  1875,  and 
Recording  Secretary  July  1,  same  year,  and  has  served  continuously  in 
same  positon.  Brother  Wobensrnith  was  admitted  to  the  State  Council  as 
Past  Councilor  in  July,  1876,  and  was  Representative  in  1883,  and  has 
attended  every  session  since.  He  was  elected  National  Representative 
in  1892  and  admitted  to  the  National  Council  in  1893  and  served  five  years; 
appointed  on  Judiciary  Committee  by  National  Councilor  Cranston  in 
1893;  on  National  Finance  Committee  same  year  by  Past  National 
Councilor  Kibbe,  Past  National  Councilor  Richter  in  1894  and  National 
Councilor  Reimer  in  1899.  He  has  also  served  on  the  State  Council 
Finance  Committee  and  reading  clerk  in  State  and  National  Councils  for 
a  number  of  years  and  his  sonorous  voice  is  well  known  to  the  members 
of  those  bodies. 

Brother  Wobensrnith  has  two  sons,  Geo.  H.  and  Jas.  C,  both  Past 
Councilors  of  Schuylkill  Council,  No.  12.  Geo.  H.  was  initiated  June 
18,  1893,  when  16  years  old.  Jas.  C.  was  initiated  February  14,  1895, 
when  of  same  age.  The  latter  was  in  the  Spanish-American  War,  serving 
in  Porto  Rico  in  the  First  U.  S.  Volunteer  Engineers. 

Brother  Wobensrnith  is  also  a  member  of  Keystone  Lodge,  No.  271, 
F.  &  A.  M.;  Columbia  Chapter,  No.  91,  R.  A.  M.;  Ponemah  Tribe,  No. 
239,  I.  0.  R.  M.;  Totem  Lodge,  No.  1060,  I.  O.  O.  F.;  Theresa  Rebekah 
Lodge,  No.  147,  I.  0.  O.  F.;  Spring  Garden  Council,  No.  947;  Royal 
Arcanum;  and  is  the  Representative  to  the  Odd  Fellow's  Orphanage  of 
Philadelphia.     He  is  also  a  member  of  Excelsior  Chapter,  No.  38,  0.  E.  S. 

The  above  being  written  eight  years  ago,  we  would  add  that  at 
the  session  of  the  State  Council  of  Pennsylvania  in  1899,  Brother  Woben- 
srnith was  unanimously  elected  State  Vice-Councilor  and  with  the  same 
unanimity  he  was  advanced  to  the  station  of  State  Councilor.  His  ad- 
ministration was  carried  on  during  the  darker  hours  of  the  State 
Council's  history,  but  he  stood  royally  for  the  right  and  on  the  side  of 
the  National  Council.  He  was  named  as  one  of  the  defendants  in  the 
litigation  in  the  courts  of  the  state,  which  causes  were  decided  in  favor 
of  the  loyalists  in  both  the  local  and  Supreme  Courts. 

S.   E.   STEVENTON 
One   of   the   First   Graduates  of  the   National    Orphans'   Home. 

While  not  the  first  to  be  admitted  to  the  Home,  Brother  Samuel  E. 
Steventon  has   the   distinction   of   being   among  the   first  of   the   Order's 


*  Copied   from  The  American  of  September  Issue,   1900. 


E.  L.  S.  BOUTON 
Past  State  Councilor  of  Virginia 


REV.  M.  D.  LICHLITER 

Past  State  Councilor  of  Pennsylvania, 

National  Chaplain 


E.  M.  MASSEY 

State  Vice-Councilor  of  Vermont, 

1907-1908 


H.  H.  EDDY 
Past  State  Councilor  of  Colorado 


W.  M.  THOMPSON 
Past  State  Councilor  of  Indiana 


E.  R.  DILLINGHAM 

State  Council  Secretary  of  Georgia,  Member 

Board  of  Control  Beneficiary  Degree 


^w  iff 


Mm 


DR.  W.  H.  PAINTER  R.  A.  MAGILL 

Past  National  Representative  from  Penn-        Past  National  Representative  of  Pennsylvania 
sylvania  — Secretary  of  the  National  Finance  Committee 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  7)>i 

wards  to  graduate  from  the  National  Orphans'  Home,  at  TiUin,  Ohio,  in 
the  month  of  August,  1902,  having  the  same  year  graduated  from  the 
high  school  of  Tiffin. 

Our  young  brother  was  born  at  Nesquehoning,  Pa.,  October  22,  1884. 
and  was  sent  to  the  Home  by  Mt.  Pisgah  Council,  No.  123,  of  Pennsylvania, 
August,  1898.  After  his  graduation  from  the  Homo  he  secured  a  position 
in  the  Garlock  Packing  Co.  at  their  Cleveland  Branch,  :ind  has  been 
connected  with  the  Company  ever  since  working  at  the  St.  Louis  and 
Pittsburg  Branches.  He  is  a  member  of  Young  America  Council,  No.  130. 
Tiffin,  Ohio.  At  the  session  of  the  National  Council  held  at  St.  Louis, 
Mo.,  1904,  Brother  Calver  had  the  pleasure  of  introducing  him  to  the  body 
at  which  time  he  made  a  neat  little  speech. 


REV.  M.  D.  LICHLITER  * 

Past   State  Councilor  of  Pennsylvania 

and  National  Chaplain. 

Rev.  M.  D.  Lichliter,  National  Chaplain,  Jr.  O.  U.  A.  M.,  was  born 
April  10,  1849,  and  is  a  native  of  Pennsylvania.  He  was  reared  on  a 
farm  and  secured  his  education  through  the  public  and  normal  schools 
and  at  Mt.  Union  College,  Ohio.  During  the  winter  for  five  seasons  he 
taught  school  and  has  ever  been  a  staunch  friend  of  the  American  public 
school  system.  For  his  life  work  he  entered  the  ministry  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church,  and  for  more  than  25  years  was  actively  engaged  in 
that  calling,  until,  owing  to  a  nervous-breakdown  he  was  compelled  to 
relinquish  his  church  work  and  since  that  time  has  been  Chief  Clerk  in 
the  Department  of  Agriculture  of  his  state,  being  appointed  to  that 
position  by  the  then  Governor  W.  A.  Stone. 

It  is  as  a  member  and  officer  of  the  Jr.  O.  U.  A.  M.  that  Brother 
Lichliter  is  most  prominently  known,  not  only  in  his  own  state,  but 
throughout  the  Order's  jurisdiction.  He  was  among  the  first  clergymen 
in  his  locality  to  recognize  the  lofty  and  patriotic  sentiments  found  in 
the  organization  and  at  the  first  opportunity  connected  himself  therewith 
and  from  his  initiation  he  became  an  enthusiastic  member,  ever  ready  to 
devote  his  time  and  raise  his  voice  and  wield  his  pen  for  the  furtherance 
of  the  principles  of  the  Order.  His  services  were  much  sought  by  Councils 
to  deliver  lectures  explaining  the  objects  and  purposes  of  the  organization, 
as  well  as  in  delivering  public  addresses  at  union  meetings  and  present- 
ing Bibles  and  flags  to  the  public  schools.  As  is  well  known  the  custom 
of  placing  flags  on  the  public  school  buildings  originated  with  the 
Jr.  O.  U.  A.  M.,  Mt.  Pleasant  Council  presenting  in  1889  the  first  flag 
ever  given  for  that  purpose.  A  few  days  after  this  event  Brother 
Lichliter  in  the  City  of  Pittsburg  presented  the  second  flag,  in  fact  57 
of  them  at  one  time,  to  the  schools  of  the  city  and  since  has  had  the 
honor  of  presenting  nearly  400  in  all. 

When  the  Order  in  Western  Pennsylvania  observed  Washington's 
Birthday  by  monster  parades,  Brother  Lichliter  was  always  found  on 
horseback  as  a  member  of  the  Chief  Marshal's  Staff,  and  one  year  led  a 
division  as  Division  Marshal,  the  first  minister  ever  to  be  elected  to  that 


*  Copied   from    The  American   of  1904. 


792  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

position.  Although  he  was  bitterly  assailed  by  the  enemies  of  the  organi- 
zation for  his  public  espousal  of  the  Order's  principles  and  was  often 
criticised  by  the  church  for  his  active  work  in  promulgating  same,  yet 
he  never  swerved  for  a  moment  from  his  duty  as  an  American  citizen  and 
was  always  a  fearless  exponent  of  the  Objects  of  the  Order. 

Brother  Lichliter  was  initiated  into  General  Putnam  Council,  No. 
125,  of  Pennsylvania,  from  which  he  removed  his  card  and  deposited  it  in 
McKeesport  Council,  No.  109,  and  removing  from  the  city,  as  his  calling 
demanded,  he  again  deposited  his  card  in  Geo.  Washington  Council,  423, 
where  his  membership  still  remains.  By  dispensation  he  was  elected  from 
the  floor  Vice-Councilor,  then  was  advanced  to  the  positon  of  Councilor 
and  after  serving  a  few  months  obtained  his  honors  and  was  elected 
Representative  to  the  State  Council  in  1894  and  was  appointed  State 
Council  Chaplain  and  was  made  a  Deputy  State  Councilor  for  the  year 
following.  Urged  by  his  friends,  Brother  Lichliter  became  a  candidate 
for  State  Vice-Councilor  and  at  the  session  of  1895  was  elected  in  a 
triangular  contest,  the  hottest  ever  known  in  the  Keystone  State.  During 
his  term  as  State  Councilor,  the  National  Council  convened  in  Pittsburg 
where  that  body  was  welcomed  by  our  brother,  and  under  his  direction  the 
entertainment  given  the  National  Body  by  the  Councils  of  Pennsylvania 
and  the  great  parade  inaugurated  in  its  honor  when  10,000  men  were  in 
line,  was  the  most  extensive  ever  extended  the  members  of  the  National 
Council  before  or  since. 

Since  that  time  Brother  Lichliter  has  attended  every  session  of  the 
National  Body,  serving  for  two  years  on  the  National  Legislative  Com- 
mittee, of  which  for  one  year  he  was  the  Chairman,  one  year  a  member  of 
the  Credential  Committee  and  since  1901  has  been  the  National  Chaplain. 

We  might  add  that  it  has  been  our  privilege  to  represent  the  National 
Council  on  the  Ritual  Committee,  having  with  Brother  F.  F.  Hopkins 
prepared  a  Ritualistic  form  consisting  of  three  degrees  and  same  was 
exemplified  in  a  session  of  the  National  Council  at  Minneapolis.  Under 
appointment  of  National  Councilor  Faison  was  one  of  a  committee  to 
prepare  a  State  Council  Ritual,  State  Council  Degree,  Rules  of  Order, 
etc.,  and  same  was  adopted  at  Nashville,  1905. 

We  have  the  honor  of  having  united  with  many  other  fraternal 
organizations,  some  of  which,  however,  we  are  not  at  present  affiliated 
with,  viz.:  The  various  branches  of  Masonry,  and  what  is  known  as  "Blue 
Lodge,"  being  Past  Master;  Royal  Arch  Chapter,  Knights  Templar  and 
Knights  of  Malta,  I.  O.  O.  F.,  being  Past  Grand;  Daughters  of  Rebekah, 
Daughters  of  Liberty,  Orangemen,  Good  Templars,  Order  of  Malta,  Knights 
of  the  Golden  Eagle,  etc. 

Our  family  consists  of  two  children,  both  married,  one  a  son  who  is 
a  minister  of  a  prominent  congregation  in  the  State  of  New  York,  and 
a  daughter  the  wife  of  a  leading  merchant  of  Franklin,  Pa.  Our  home  is 
a  museum  of  Archaeology,  having  more  than  1,000  specimens  in  the 
collection.  We  expect  to  publish  a  volume  on  the  history  of  Pennsylvania, 
entitled,  "  The  Footprints  of  Patriots  and  Landmarks  of  Western  Penn- 
sylvania." 


VI.     3fn  pernor  tarn 

CHAPTER  XXXIX 

NO  mystic  chain  nor  mortal  art  can  impede  the  onward  march 
of  man's  implacable  foe.  Silently  as  the  snow  falls  upon  the 
house-tops,  the  dread  messenger  claims  as  his  own  the  truest  and 
best  of  men.  Death  is  remorseless.  Before  his  dread  altar  the 
brightness  of  youth  and  the  decrepitude  of  age  fall  alike,  victims 
of   a   common   destiny. 

"  We  march  down  the  aisles  of  time ; 
Silently,  swiftly,  one  by  one. 
Musical  murmur  and  mournful  moan, 
Plaintive  pleading  and  tender  tone 
Blend  in  a  living  rhyme." 

No  man  has  reached  the  high  position  which  entitles  him  to 
membership  in  such  an  Order  as  this,  who  has  not  the  capacity  of 
understanding  something  of  what  the  poet  from  our  Southland 
meant,  when  he  said: 

"•  I  walk  down  the  Valley  of  Silence, 

Down  the  dim,  voiceless  valley — alone: 

And  I  heard  not  the  fall  of  a  footstep 
Around  me,  save  God's  and  my  own; 

And  the  hush  of  my  heart  is  as  holy, 
Aa  heaven  where  the  angels  have  flown. 

"  But  far  on  the  deep  there  are  billows 
That  never  shall  break  on  the  beach, 

And  I  have  heard  songs  in  the  Silence 
That  never  shall  float  in  speech ; 

And  I  have  had  dreams  of  the  Valley, 
Too  lofty  for  language  to  reach." 

In  all  the  ages  there  has  been  the  cry  of  the  transitoriness 
of  human  life  as  contrasted  with  the  stability  of  the  world  of 
Nature  in  which  we  live.  The  oak  whose  great  branches  sheltered 
us  in  childhood,  remains  unshaken  when  our  eyes  are  dimmed  by 
years.  The  sea  which  ripples  its  music  to  our  ears  has  tossed  its 
waves  upon  the  shore  while  generations  of  men  have  lived  and 
passed  away.     Even  the  brook  can  sing: 

"  Men    may    come,    and    men    may    go, 
But  I  go  on  forever." 

793 


794  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

But  in  the  light  of  the  teachings  of  the  Good  Book  we  know 
that  the  superiority  of  Nature  is  only  apparent.  Man  with  his 
heritage  of  immortality  lives  on  when  the  oak  is  fallen,  when  the 
great  sea  is  silent;  lives  on  though  the  earth  shall  be  swept  away 
and  "  like  the  baseless  fabric  of  a  vision,  leave  not  a  wreck  behind." 

While  here  our  brothers  whom  we  would  remember  may  have 
been  fettered  in  a  greater  or  less  degree — held  in  restraint  by  in- 
visible bolts  and  bars,  yet  real;  but  with  the  end  of  their  earthly 
lives  every  chain  has  been  loosed,  every  bar  dropped  and  death 
has  but  set  them  free.  Geo.  MacDonald  has  made  one  of  his 
characters  say  as  he  looked  up  into  the  depths  of  a  Highland  sky 
where  the  stars  were  blazing  with  startling  brilliancy :  "  I  think 
perhaps  up  there,  there  might  be  something  like  room."  Those 
who  have  gone  from  us  fettered  by  ties  of  earth,  unable  to  find 
exercise  for  their  powers,  have  found  something  like  room.  Eoom 
for  the  exercise  of  their  best  powers,  in  a  development,  in  a  pro- 
gressive attainment,  in  a  freedom  of  service  which  will  never  end. 

GIDEON  D.  HARMAR 
One   of  the  Founders   of  the   Jr.  O.  U.  A.  M. 

At  the  crossing  of  the  centuries,  April  24,  1900,  there  passed  out  into 
the  land  where  centuries  never  began  nor  will  ever  have  an  end,  a  con- 
spicuous factor  in  the  institution  of  the  Order,  he  whom  the  brotherhood 
should  gratefully  remember  as  one  of  the  "  fathers  of  the  Order,"  Brother 
Gideon  D.  Harmar,  of  Reliance  Council,  No.  40,  0.  U.  A.  M.,  of  Penn- 
sylvania. 

The  readers  of  this  History  will  readily  recall,  that  Brother  Harmar, 
aided  by  Elliott  Smith  and  Wm.  M.  Weckerly,  nearly  a  half  century 
previous  to  his  death,  brought  into  existence  the  infant  organization  by 
the  institution  of  Washington  Council,  No.  1,  at  Germantown,  Pa.,  May 
17,  1853.  He  with  his  copatriots  witnessed  the  early  struggles  of  the 
Jr.  O.  U.  A.  M.,  and  gave  of  their  unstinted  devotion  to  its  life;  and  our 
brother  was  permitted  to  live  until  the  stone  he  had  helped  to  cut  out  of 
the  mountain  of  patriotism  should  roll  over  the  land  and  touch  every 
state  and  territory,  with  but  one  exception,  and  nearly  200,000  patriots 
to  enlist  under  the  banner  of  the  Order.  Although  a  member  of  Reliance 
Council,  No.  40,  O.  U.  A.  M.,  out  of  respect  for  his  memory,  Washington 
Council,  No.  1,  on  April  21,  1900,  adopted  resolutions  which  were  sub- 
mitted to  the  National  Council  at  its  session  held  in  Philadelphia,  same 
year,  and  the  same  were  adopted  by  that  body  and  a  memorial  page  in  the 
Proceedings  was  set  apart  to  his  memory. 

How  far  apart  do  sorrow  and  grief  seem  to  us,  yet  how  really  near 
to  each  other  they  are.  A  little  breath  between,  and  one  sighs  here,  and 
the  other  sings  there.  Yet  they  never  meet.  Our  brother  possesses  now 
that  knowledge  for  which  we  who  remain  still  grope.  No  mystery  en- 
shrouds his  vision,  even  if  tears  dim  ours.     The  shroud  clothes,  the  coffin 


GEO.   B.   BOVVERS 
Past  National  Councilor  from  Pennsylvania 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  795 

encloses,  the  grave  hides  the  form  of  our  esteemed  brother,   but  memory 
lingers  behind  to  photograph  the  dead  upon  the  mind  of  the  living. 


GEORGE  B.  BOWERS 

Past  National  Councilor  and  Past  State  Councilor 

of  Pennsylvania. 

To  get  a  true  portrait  of  the  character  of  George  B.  Bowers,  we  inu.-t 
turn  from  the  recorded  proceedings  to  the  tablets  of  memory,  sacredly 
cherished  by  those  associated  with  him.  On  these  tablets  we  find  no  dim 
outlines,  no  shady  places,  for  all  is  clear  and  beautiful  there,  but  like 
stars  in  the  unclouded  blue,  the  noble  qualities  of  his  splendid  personality 
shone  clear  and  bright  revealing  his  strength  and  brilliancy,  showing  how 
truly  unselfish  he  was  in  his  devotion  to  the  cause  of  the  Jr.  O.  U.  A.  M. 

"  They  never  quite  leave  us,  the  friends  who  have  passed 
Through  the  shadow  of  death  to  the  sunlight  above; 
A  thousand  sweet  memories  are  holding  them  fast, 

To  the  places  they  blest  with  their  presence  and  love." 

George  B.  Bowers  entered  upon  life  in  Hollidaysburg,  Pa.,  December 
2,  1861,  and  departed  from  it  January  11,  1904.  Within  these  two  dates, 
the  world,  the  Church  and  the  Order  witnessed  a  noble  life.  Having 
attained  a  good  common  school  and  academic  education,  and  after  teaching 
school  a  few  years,  he  chose  as  his  life  profession  that  of  an  attorney  at 
the  bar,  and  at  the  time  of  his  death  he  was  a  leading  member  of  the 
craft.  As  a  Christian,  he  was  faithful  to  the  church  of  his  choice,  being 
for  years  the  superintendent  of  the  Sunday  School. 

It  is  as  a  member  of  the  Jr.  O.  U.  A.  M.  that  the  name  of  Geo.  B. 
Bowers  is  engraven  upon  the  hearts  of  the  tens  of  thousands  of  patriots. 
He  was  initiated  into  Pride  of  Mountain  City  Council,  No.  472,  of  Penn- 
sylvania, and  represented  his  Council  in  the  State  Body  in  1891,  and  was 
elected  State  Vice-Councilor  of  Pennsylvania  in  1897,  elected  State  Coun- 
cilor in  1898,  and  owing  to  the  peculiar  condition  of  the  Order,  the  revolt 
of  1899,  he  served  as  the  presiding  officer  for  two  years,  the  last  of  the 
two  being  most  strenuous  and  trying.  He  presided  as  State  Councilor  at 
Scranton  in  1899,  when  the  revolt  of  the  "Pennsylvania  line"  was  carried 
into  effect.  Never  did  an  officer  proclaim  his  unswerving  loyalty  to 
principle,  law,  order  and  the  National  Council  as  did  Brother  Bowers  at 
Scranton;  and  in  fact  all  through  those  turbulent  years  he  stood  in  the 
van  fighting  inch  by  inch  for  the  honor  and  the  very  life  of  the  Order  he 
loved  so  well. 

His  noble  stand  for  the  mandates  of  the  National  Council,  his 
unflinching  hostility  to  the  attacks  of  the  insurgents,  made  him  the 
logical  candidate  for  National  Vice-Councilor  to  which  office  he  was  elected 
in  1901,  and  was  selected  National  Councilor  in  1902  and  while  serving 
as  Junior  Past  National  Councilor,  he  was  transferred  to  the  Supreme 
Council  on  High. 

In  a  eulogy,  pathetic  and  beautiful,  his   associate  on   the   Board   of 


796  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

Officers,  the  then  National  Councilor,  Dr.  J.  L.  Cooper,  has  this  to  say  in 
closing: 

"  Brilliant  in  intellect,  lovely  in  spirit  and  rich  in  affectionate  regard 
for  the  good  of  all,  he  has  said  good-night  and  has  gone  to  sleep.  In  the 
presence  of  such  a  life  the  '  harping  of  infidelity  is  hushed,  Atheism  receives 
a  fatal  wound,  Agnosticism  is  dumb  and  Stoicism  flees  for  its  life,  away.' 
The  world  is  purer  that  he  has  brightened  it,  manhood  is  higher  that  he 
has  advanced  it,  Christianity  is  clearer  that  he  has  illuminated  it.  I  am 
so  glad  that  I  knew  him  as  I  did.  And  while  our  tears  are  falling  vainly 
about  his  memory,  dear  Bowers  is  sleeping;  while  upon  his  pure  and  sin- 
washed  brow  more  dazzling  than  the  noonday  sun,  I  believe  there  is 
flashing  the  priceless  gem  of  eternal  redemption." 

There  are  three  things  in  a  man's  life  that  make  him  great;  yea  they 
represent  the  truest  and  highest  type  of  manhood:  First,  love  of  mother; 
second,  love  for  children;  third,  respect  for  the  aged.  Brother  Bowers's 
life  was  made  up  of  all  three.  None  ever  loved  his  mother  as  he;  none 
loved  children  so  dearly  and  none  honored  old  age  as  did  Brother  Bowers. 


J.    ADAM   SOHL 
For  Twenty  Years  the  National  Treasurer. 

Entered  into  life  July  15,  1847;  departed  from  it  March  2,  1906. 
Within  those  years  lived  the  Patriarch  of  Maryland  Juniorism,  Brother 
J.  Adam  Sohl.  Initiated  into  Baltimore  Council,  No.  1,  of  Maryland,  as 
a  charter  member,  January  31,  1870,  was  the  inception  of  a  life  into  the 
Order,  that  for  zeal,  devotion  to  principle  and  faithfulness,  the  Jr. 
0.  U.  A.  M.  can  furnish  few  peers.  He  was  unanimously  elected  State 
Council  Secretary  on  the  night  of  its  institution,  to  which  position 
he  was  reelected  successively  for  24  years,  until  compelled  to  relinquish 
the  duties  of  the  office  through  failing  health. 

Brother  Sohl  was  a  charter  member  of  the  State  Council  of  Maryland 
at  its  institution  April  8,  1870,  and  was  its  first  and  only  State  Council 
Secretary  as  stated,  for  24  years,  and  was  sent  as  a  Representative  to  the 
National  Council  in  1871,  with  which  he  had  an  unbroken  membership 
until  his  death,  serving  in  office  almost  continually  until  1904,  when  on 
account  of  physical  disabilities  he  was  compelled  to  decline  further  honors. 
When  he  became  a  member  of  the  National  Council,  his  sterling  qualities 
were  at  once  recognized.  At  the  session  of  1871,  he  was  elected  National 
Marshal,  reelected  in  1872,  elected  National  Protector  in  1873,  again 
elected  National  Marshal  in  1874.  In  1877  Brother  Sohl  was  placed  in 
the  Chair  of  National  Vice-Councilor,  advanced  to  the  station  of  National 
Councilor  in  1878,  and  in  1883,  he  was  elected  to  the  responsible  office  of 
National  Treasurer  in  which  position  he  served  the  Order  continuously 
until  1904. 

For  35  years  Brother  Sohl  was  an  active  member  of  the  National 
Body,  and  during  all  those  years  his  influence,  silent  as  the  evening  dew 
and  beneficent  as  the  morning  sunshine,  was  a  commanding  force  in  all 
its  work.  His  was  the  silent  but  irresistible  power  of  a  great  personality ; 
the  overwhelming  pressure  of  a  mind  which  knew  nothing  of  expediency, 
nothing  of  petty  ambition ;  but  was  filled  with  eternal  principles  of  right, 
duty  and  brotherly  love. 


a 


/ 


J.  ADAM  SOUL 
National  Treasurer,  1883-1904 


F.  J.  SHALER 
Past  State  Councilor  of    Pennsylvania 


LEROY  N.   VAN  BORN 

Pa>t  State  Councilor  of  Ohio 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  797 

There  comes  in  the  lives  of  men  who  have  been  conspicuous,  the 
'"  passing,"  which  is  full  of  sadness,  not  only  to  themselves,  but  to  others. 
To  J.  Adam  Sohl  that  "passing"  came,  Bret,  in  1894,  when  he  had  to 
relinquish  his  post  of  duty  as  State  Council  Secretary,  which  for  24  years 
he  had  so  creditably  filled;  and,  second,  in  1904,  when  entire  physical 
infirmity  compelled  him  decline  reelection  to  the  oflice  of  National 
Treasurer,  a  position  he  had  held  as  stated  since  1883. 

"  How  sweet  a  life  was  his — 

Living,  to  wing  with  mirth  the  weary  hours; 
Dying,  to  leave  a  memory  like  the  breath 

Of  summer's  full  of  sunshine  and  flowers, 
A  grief  and  gladness  in  the  atmosphere." 

The  Jr.  O.  U.  A.  M.  of  Maryland,  on  August  24.  1907,  did  itself  an 
honor  by  dedicating  to  the  memory  of  Brother  Sohl  a  shaft  monument 
with  appropriate  ceremonies.  The  monument  is  of  dark  Barre  granite, 
measuring  5  feet  and  4  inches  across  the  base  and  is  25  feet  high.  On 
one  side  of  the  shaft  appears  the  record  of  Brother  Sohl's  life  in  the  Order 
and  on  the  other  side  the  inscription: 


ERECTED    BY    THE 

Junior  Order 
United  American  Mechanics 

of  Maryland 

in  grateful  memory  of  his 

services  in  perpetuating 

our  order. 

On  the  face  of  the  shaft  is  the  name  with  the  dates  of  the  birth  and 
death  of  our  brother,  with  the  emblems  of  the  Order  inscribed  thereon  as 
well  as  on  the  back.     There  is  also  on  the  back  the  words: 

His  Work  Lives  After  Him. 

As  far  as  we  know  this  is  the  first  monument  erected  by  the  Order 
to  the  memory  of  a  Past  National  Councilor  or  of  any  Past  National  or 
State  officer  in  the  history  of  the  organization. 

FRED  J  SHALER 
Past  State  Councilor  of  Pennsylvania. 

The  writer  had  penned  the  sketch  of  the  living  Fred  J.  Shaler  and 
arrangod  it  in  its  proper  place  in  the  manuscript.  The  next  morning, 
March  10,  1908,  a  message  was  received,  "  Fred  J.  Shaler  died  this  morning 
at  three  o'clock."  Instead  of  a  place  among  the  living  worthies.  Fred  J. 
Shaler  is  numbered  among  the  fallen  patriots  of  the  Order. 


798  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

Brother  Shaler  was  initiated  into  Iron  City  Council,  No.  171,  of 
Pennsylvania,  June,  1877,  and  represented  his  Council  at  the  State 
Council  session,  held  at  Easton  in  1878.  For  years  he  served  as  Recording 
Secretary  of  his  Council  until  he  removed  to  the  West  and  for  a  time  was 
inactive  in  the  work  of  the  organization.  However  the  patriotic  fire  and 
zeal  only  smoldered  for  a  few  years  when  it  again  burst  forth  and  our 
brother  entered  the  great  West  to  stir  up  American  sentiment,  to  which 
work  he  bent  every  energy  of  his  soul,  organizing  in  December  of  1888 
Washington  Council,  No.  1,  at  Stevens  Point,  Wisconsin.  He  then  took 
up  the  work  in  Illinois,  organizing  George  Washington  Council,  No.  3,  in 
the  City  of  Chicago,  in  February,  1889.  At  the  organization  of  the  State 
Council  of  Illinois  he  was  elected  Past  State  Councilor  and  then  State 
Council  Secretary,  which  position  he  occupied  until  his  return  to  Pittsburg, 
Pa.,  in  1891,  where  he  again  identified  himself  with  the  work  of  his  native 
state. 

He  was  admitted  to  the  National  Council  in  1888  at  its  meeting 
held  at  Haverhill,  Mass.  As  a  member  of  the  National  Council  he  served 
as  Chairman  of  the  Law  Committee,  was  a  member  of  the  National  Legis- 
lative Committee  and  Chairman  of  the  Committee  of  Forms  and  Cermonies, 
the  report  of  which  was  adopted  at  the  session  of  the  National  Body 
held  at  Asheville,  N.  C.  Not  only  did  Brother  Shaler  organize  the  first 
Council  in  Wisconsin,  but  he  planted  the  banner  of  the  Order  in  the  State 
of  Iowa,  from  which  state  went  forth  brothers  who  brought  into  existence 
the  Order  in  the  States  of  Washington  and  Texas. 

Brother  Shaler  had  the  distinction,  during  the  administration  of 
M.  D.  Lichliter  as  a  state  officer,  of  being  one  of  the  leading  spirits  in 
organizing  the  first  excursion  out  of  Allegheny  County  that  gave  a  benefit 
for  the  National  Orphans'  Home,  the  proceeds  of  which  in  part,  the  first 
ever  obtained  in  an  outing  for  that  purpose,  were  paid  to  the  Home  in 
the  name  of  Sam  Harper  Council,  No.  503.  As  stated  in  another  place, 
besides  Brother  Shaler,  Past  State  Councilor  Stephen  Collins,  National 
Representatives  C.  J.  Cleland,  Harry  R.  Peck,  and  State  Representative 
George  B.  Nesbitt,  constituted  the  Original  Committee  from  which  came 
what  was  afterwards  known  as  the  "  Allegheny  County  Orphans'  Home 
Picnic  Committee,"  which  has  accomplished  a  great  work  for  the  Home, 
contributing  since  its  inception  nearly  $12,000,  principally  for  a  green- 
house and  industrial  school. 

At  the  time  of  his  death  Brother  Shaler  was  a  member  of  Sam 
Harper  Council,  No.  503,  of  Pittsburg  in  which  he  was  a  potential  factor. 
For  years  he  had  been  identified  with  the  Insurance  business,  having 
acquired  a  thorough  knowledge  of  it;  however  his  latest  years  were  given 
to  a  prominent  Mining  Company  of  which  he  was  the  Secretary.  A  wife 
to  whom  he  was  devoted  and  two  children  for  whom  he  had  great  attach- 
ment, are  left  this  side  the  "  dividing  stream." 

His  burial  took  place  in  Allegheny  Cemetery,  three  of  the  pall-bearers 
representing  the  church  he  was  connected  with  and  an  officer,  and  three 
representing  the  Jr.  O.  U.  A.  M., — Past  State  Councilor  Stephen  Collins, 
A.  D.  Wilkin,  of  the  National  Law  Committee,  and  Past  Councilor  Jas.  B. 
Cully,  of  Sam  Harper  Council,  No.  503. 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  799 

"  Over   the   moaning   harbor   bar, 
Out  on  the  unseen  sea, 
Led  by   the   light's   bright  star. 
My    friend    has   gone   from    me. 

•    Above    the    bar's    low    moaning    cry 
Come  floating  back  to  me 
Strains   of   holy   minstrelsy 
Louder    than   wind    and   sea. 

"  Moan  on,  O  sobbing  harbor  bar. 
Ye    cannot    keep    from    me 
The  song  that  comes  from  choir  afar, 
Where  he   at  last  is  free." 


LEROY  N.  VAN  HORN  * 
First  State  Councilor  of  Ohio. 

"  Thick   sprinkled   bunting,    flag   of   stars ! 

Long  yet  your  road,   fateful   flag,    long  yet  your   road — 
And  lined  with  bloody  death  ! 
For  now  at  last  I  see  that  the  whole  world  is  your  own. 
All  its  ships,  and  all  its  shores, 
Interwoven    with   your  threads,    mighty   emblem !  " 

— Walt  Whitman-\865. 

Leroy  N.  Van  Horn,  the  first  State  Councilor  of  Ohio,  Jr.  O.  U.  A.  M.. 
died  in  Chicago,  Illinois,  February  9,  1907.  His  funeral  services  in  said 
city  were  conducted  by  Columbia  Post  G.  A.  R.,  the  I.  O.  O.  F.,  and  the 
.American  Flag  Day  Association,  after  which  the  remains  were  conveyed 
to  Springfield,  Ohio,  and  laid  to  rest  in  beautiful  Fern  Cliff  Cemetery, 
the  last  sad  rites  being  performed  by  Champion  Council,  No.  2,  Jr. 
O.  U.  A.  M.,  of  which  he  was  an  honored  member,  having  organized  said 
Council  April  24,  1871. 

During  the  early  history  of  our  Order, — back  in  the  "  seventies  " — 
Brother  Van  Horn  was  an  ardent  worker  for  the  advancement  of  the 
principles  of  the  Junior  Order  in  Ohio,  and  at  the  organization  of  the 
State  Council.  January  8,  1873,  he  was  chosen  State  Councilor,  and  did 
much  to  build  up  our  Order  during  his  term.  To  the  members  of  the 
National  Council  Brother  Van  Horn  was  well  and  favorably  known, 
having  attended  many  sessions  of  that  body,  the  la^t  one  being  at 
St.  Louis,  Mo.,  in  June,  1904. 

Brother  Van  Horn  was  born  in  Delaware  County,  State  of  Ohio,  Oct. 
26,  1842.  He  was  a  fifer  for  all  the  "  wide-awake  "  clubs  during  Lincoln's 
first  Presidential  campaign.  In  '61  he  enlisted  as  Civil  War  musician 
in  Company  A  of  the  18th  Ohio  Volunteer  Infantry,  and  served  in  the 
Army  of  the  Cumberland  under  General  Thomas,  the  "  Rock  of  Chica- 
mauga."     He    had    the    honor    of   bringing    together    the    North    and    the 


♦The  author  is  indebted  to  Past   National   Councilor  .1     <;.    a.    RIchter 
for  the  sketch  that  follows. 


800  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

South  under  the  folds  of  "Old  Glory"  on  June  17,  1875,  at  Chattanooga, 
Tenn.,  which  brought  about  the  greatest  Fourth  of  July  celebration  ever 
seen.  He  also  promoted  a  number  of  Bunker  Hill  Day  celebrations  at 
New  York  City,  on  Governor's  Tsland,  in  '84  and  '86,  in  the  presence  of 
Generals  Hancock  and  Schofield. 

Brother  Leroy  N.  Van  Horn  removed  to  Chicago,  Illinois,  in  the 
hpring  of  1887,  and  was  a  resident  of  said  city  until  his  death. 

On  June  17th  of  that  year  he  inaugurated  a  grand  patriotic  parade 
of  fife,  drum  and  bugle  corps  in  honor  of  the  Battle  of  Bunker  Hill,  and 
did  much  to  arouse  the  American  people  to  patriotism  and  to  do  away 
with  anarchy,  then  prevailing  in  Chicago.  He  was  the  first  to  plan  and 
celebrate  Flag  Day,  holding  patriotic  exercises  in  Douglas  Park  with 
the  public  school  children  from  the  various  schools  of  Chicago,  in  honor 
of  our  flag,  and  to  teach  our  foreign-born  citizens  lessons  in  patriotism. 
He  was  the  founder  and  first  President  of  the  American  Flag  Day 
Association,  and  in  1894  was  instrumental  in  having  the  said  association 
incorporated  under  the  laws  of  the  State  of  Illinois,  and  on  June  14th  of 
said  year  while  he  was  President  of  the  Association,  over  200,000  children 
and  youth  from  the  public  schools  of  Chicago  took  part  in  the  celebration. 

Leroy  N.  Van  Horn  was  a  Patriot,  he  believed  in  the  teaching  of 
patriotism,  the  first  and  easiest  lesson  of  love  and  reverence  for  the 
American  flag,  the  only  representative  of  the  whole  people.  Let  us  continue 
the   good   and   patriotic  work   begun   by  him.     Peace   to   his   memory! 


A.   G.   MARTIN 

Past   State  Councilor  of  Georgia. 

Death  ever  active,  ever  present,  like  as  a  thief  in  the  night,  robbed 
the  State  Council  of  Georgia  and  the  National  Body  of  one  of  the  noblest 
and  manliest  of  men,  Past  State  Councilor  A.  G.  Martin.  The  intervening 
space  between  "  the  mother's  breast  and  the  sexton's  spade "  was  filled 
with  a  life  lived  in  accordance  with  the  highest  principles.  The  babe 
that  was  born  60  years  ago  became  the  man  that  was  mourned  by  the 
Juniors  of  all  Georgia.  The  boy  that  learned  his  prayers  and  letters  at 
his  mother's  knee,  became  a  leader  of  the  public  mind  and  a  patriot  of  the 
keenest  caliber. 

It  matters  not  which  way  you  focus  the  kodak  of  memory,  in  every 
place  and  position,  Brother  Martin  appears  to  be  the  same  man.  He  was 
large-hearted,  generous,  capable,  patriotic  and  honest.  Such  men  do  not 
write  their  names  on  the  sand  as  they  pass  through  life,  but  they  cut 
them  deep  in  the  white  stones  as  they  travel  down  the  pathway  of  time. 
Andrew  G.  Martin  lived  for  a  purpose,  and  what  he  accomplished  is  now 
commended   and   remembered  by  all   who  knew  him. 

The  earthen  vessel  holds  precious  odors,  it  may  be  broken,  but  the 
fragrance  remains  though  the  clay  is  shattered  and  scattered.  The  human- 
ity of  our  brother  has  been  laid  in  the  sepulcher,  but  the  impress  of  his 
character  abides  with  us  to  inspire  us  and  to  remind  us  of  how  good 
and  true  he  was  to  duty  and  to  friends. 


A.  G.  MARTIN 
Past  State  Councilor  of  Georgia 


HARRY  A.  KEIL 
Past  State  Councilor  of  Pennsylvania 


JNO.  R.   M  \ K'l.l. > 
Past  National  Representative  from  Pennsylvania 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  801 

"  One  by  one  we  lose  the  hand-clasps 
That  so  warm   a  welcome  gave; 
One  by  one  the  voices  are  silent 
In  the  stillness  of  the  grave." 

Brother  Martin  was  born  in  New  Hampshire,  in  1847,  and  died  at 
Griffin,  Georgia,  March  7,  1906,  being  ill  but  a  few  days,  having  been 
stricken  by  paralysis.  Having  found  employment  in  a  cotton  mill  in  liis 
native  state,  he  soon  made  advancement  and  became  an  overseer.  In  1881, 
he  removed  to  Natches,  Mississippi,  where  he  was  Superintendent  of  large 
cotton  mills  and  then  went  to  Atlanta  and  had  charge  of  the  Exposition 
Cotton  Mills,  and  finally  he  settled  in  Griffin,  Georgia,  and  assumed 
charge  of  a  large  plant  there  and  placed  it  on  paying  basis. 

Brother  Martin  was  a  man  who  believed  in  fraternal  Orders.  Of 
these  he  became  prominent  in  the  Junior  Order  American  Mechanics.  He 
served  the  State  of  Georgia  as  State  Councilor  for  two  years,  during  which 
time  the  Order  showed  large  and  healthy  gains.  He  was  appointed  by 
the  State  Board  of  Officers  in  1905  as  Representative  to  the  National 
Council  and  attended  the  annual  session  at  Nashville,  Tenn.,  June,  1905. 

He  was  a  member  of  the  following  Orders:  Griffin  Lodge,  No.  415, 
F.  &  A.  M.,  of  Griffin,  Ga. ;  Pythagoras  Chapter,  No.  10,  Royal  Arch  Masons, 
of  Griffin,  Ga. ;  Griffin  Council,  No.  8,  Royal  and  Select  Masters,  of  Griffin. 
Ga.;  Atlanta  Commandery,  No.  9,  Knights  Templar,  of  Atlanta,  Ga.; 
Yaarab  Temple,  Mystic  Shrine,  of  Atlanta,  Ga. ;  Hermes  Lodge  of  Perfec- 
tion, No.  4,  Scottish  Rites,  of  Savannah,  Ga.;  Griffin  Council,  No.  4,  Jr. 
O.  U.  A.  M.,  of  Griffin,  Ga. ;  Griffin  Lodge,  No.  80,  K.  of  P.,  Griffin,  Ga. ; 
Warren  Lodge,  No.  20,  I.  O.  0.  F.,  of  Griffin,  Ga. ;  Kibla  Temple,  D.  O.  K. 
K.,  of  Atlanta,  Ga. ;  Atlanta  City  Council,  No.  2,  Daughters  of  America, 
of  Atlanta,  Ga. 

It  can  be  said  of  this  esteemed  brother  in  the  words  of  another :  "  He 
who  has  achieved  success  is  one  who  has  lived  well,  loved  peace,  and 
loved  much;  who  has  won  the  respect  of  intelligent  men  and  the  love 
of  little  children;  who  has  filled  his  niche,  and  has  left  the  world  better 
than  he  found  it;  one  who  has  looked  for  the  best  in  others  and  gave  the 
best  to  them;  one  whose  life  is  an  inspiration,  and  his  memory  a  con- 
tinuation of  it." 

JOHN  R.  MARLIN 

Past    National    Representative    from    Pennsylvania. 

At  the  "crossing  of  the  centuries,"  another  star  was  extinguished, 
another  light  in  the  Order  went  out  and  another  name  was  stricken  from 
the  earthly  records — Past  National  Representative  John  R.  Marlin.  Who 
in  the  Order  has  not  heard  the  name  of  "Johnny"  Marlin?  In  the  State 
of  Pennsylvania  that  name  had  become  a  household  word,  while  a  session 
of  the  State  Council  without  John  R.  Marlin  would  have  been  a  matter 
of  comment.  For  25  consecutive  years  Brother  Marlin  represented  his 
Council,  No.  18,  in  the  State  Council  of  Pennsylvania,  and  for  ten  years 
he  represented  his  State  Council  in  the  National  Body,  having  been 
elected  for  five  years  in  1886  and  for  five  years  in  1896,  and  for  one  year 
was  on  the  Board  of  Trustees  of  the  National  Orphans'  Home,  in  which 

5i 


802  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

position  he  was  serving  at  the  time  of  his  untimely  death,  in  the  per- 
formance of  a  duty  in  harmony  with  his  heart's  tenderest  emotions. 

His  fidelity  to  the  teachings  of  the  Order  so  far  as  they  pertained 
to  the  public  schools  was  a  marked  characteristic  of  "  Johnny "  Marlin's 
life.  For  13  years  he  was  a  member  of  the  school  board  of  his  ward  in 
the  City  of  Philadelphia,  and  the  three  last  years  was  its  president.  In 
fact  wherever  duty  called  or  distress  cried  for  succor,  John  R.  Marlin 
heard  the  cry  and  responded  to  the  call.  Of  him  the  sentiments  expressed 
by  the  poet  were  true : 

"  Let  me  to-day  do  something  that  shall  take 
A  little  sadness  from  the  world's  vast  store, 
And  may  I  be  so  favored  as  to  make 
Of  Joy's  too  scanty  sum  a  little  more. 

"  Let  me  not  hurt  by  any  selfish  deed 

Or  thoughtless  word,  the  heart  of  foe  or  friend; 
Nor  would  I  pass,  unseeing,  worthy  need, 
Or  sin  by  silence  when  I  should  defend. 

"  However  meagre  be  my  worldly  wealth, 

Let  me  give  something  that  shall  aid  my  kind: 
A  word  of  courage,  or  a  thought  of  health, 
Dropped  as  I  pass  for  troubled  hearts  to  find. 

"  Let  me  to-night  look  back  across  the  span 

'Twixt  dawn  and  dark,  and  to  my  conscience  say, 
'  Because  of  some  good  act  to  beast  or  man, 
'  The  world  is  better  that  I  lived  to-day.' " 

John  R.  Marlin's  life  was  unique  in  one  particular,  he  was  born, 
lived  and  died  in  the  same  house,  No.  232  Poplar  Street,  Philadelphia, 
where  the  partner  of  his  life  still  resides.  His  birth  took  place  February 
1,  1855,  and  his  death  occurred  July  21,  1899.  His  business  in  life  was 
that  of  stationery,  carried  on  in  the  house  in  which  he  lived. 

As  soon  as  he  was  old  enough  to  join  (sixteen  years)  Brother 
Marlin  connected  himself  with  Vigilant  Council,  No.  69;  however  in  a 
few  years  he  withdrew  therefrom  and  helped  organize  Spring  Garden 
Council,  No.  18,  of  which  he  continued  a  member  until  his  death.  He 
was  also  a  prominent  member  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.,  Crusaders  Lodge,  No.  303, 
and  was  for  years  its  Treasurer. 


DR.  HARRY  ST1TES 
Past  National  Councilor  from  Pennsylvania. 

Away  from  the  bosom  of  his  loved  ones,  on  a  cot  in  a  little  room 
of  a  hospital  in  the  City  of  Havana,  Cuba,  all  alone,  the  spirit  of  Past 
National  Councilor  Harry  Stites  passed  out  of  the  body  and  winged  its 
way  back  to  God  who  gave  it.  It  was  on  January  25,  1906,  that  this 
occurred,  and  on  Sunday  evening,  February  4,  services  were  held  at  his 


UNITED  AMERICAN   MECHANICS  80S 

late  residence,  Harrisburg,  Pa.,  under  the  direction  of  his  Council, 
Harrisburg,  No.  3:28,  assisted  by  a  Large  number  of  members  of  John 
Harris  Council,  No.  174.  of  which  he  was  formerly  a  member.  Quite  a 
number  of  members  of  other  Councils  were  present  and  the  Funeral  Cere 
mony  of  the  Order  was  carried  out  and  a  brief  address  delivered  by 
National  Chaplain  Rev.  M.  D.  Lichliter.  The  day  following  bia  body  was 
borne  to  his  old  home,  Newport,  where  it  was  laid  away  in  the  hope  of  a 
glorious   resurrection. 

Brother  Stites  organized  and  was  a  charter  member  of  Newport  Coun- 
cil, No.  106,  of  Newport,  Pa.,  in  1870,  was  elected  Representative  to  the 
State  Council  and  from  thence  was  sent  as  a  Representative  to  the  National 
Council  in  1873,  which  body  at  a  special  session  held  on  February  22. 
1875,  elected  him  National  Vice-Councilor,  and  at  the  annual  session  held  at 
Boston,  same  year,  he  was  advanced  to  the  Chair  of  National  Councilor. 

Dr.  Stites  was  a  true-blue  Junior — fully  imbued  with  the  principles 
of  the  Order  and  had  an  exalted  opinion  of  its  teachings.  When  the 
Object  that  called  for  the  reading  of  the  Holy  Bible  in  the  public  schools 
was  before  the  National  Body,  it  was  through  his  earnest  efforts  that  the 
clause  was  retained.  His  work  in  the  interest  of  the  Order,  however,  was 
more  manifest  in  his  state  and  home  city,  in  the  latter  of  which  he 
organized  two  new  Councils,  becoming  a  member  of  one  of  them,  of  which 
he  remained  a  member  until  his  death.  In  every  movement  the  Order 
made  in  his  state  and  city,  Dr.  Stites  was  in  the  van,  fearlessly  showing 
where  he  stood  on  every  issue.  His  last  appearance  in  public  was  in 
the  parade  of  the  Fraternal  Societies  during  Old  Home  Week  in  Harris- 
burg, October,  1905,  when  he  led  the  Jr.  O.  U.  A.  M.,  seated  in  a  carriage 
and  accompanied  by  National  Chaplain  M.  D.  Lichliter  and  Past  National 
Representative  W.  H.  Painter. 


GEO.  W.  KREAMER 
Past  State  Councilor  of  Pennsylvania. 

Brother  Kreamer  was  a  charter  member  of  Independent  Council, 
No.  8,  of  Pennsylvania,  and  represented  his  Council  at  the  convention 
that  established  the  State  Council  of  Pennsylvania,  March  13,  1860,  of 
which  body  he  became  a  conspicuous  factor.  He  was  nominated,  with 
Edw.  S.  Deemer,  for  State  Council  Secretary  and  on  the  first  ballot  both 
received  11  votes;  on  the  second  ballot,  however,  Brother  Deemer  received 
12  votes  and  Kreamer  11.  The  following  year,  1861,  Brother  Kreamer 
was  elected  State  Councilor  and  creditably  filled  the  position. 

As  a  member  of  his  own  Council,  no  man  in  the  history  of  the 
Order  has  had  a  record  like  his;  for  forty-five  years  he  held  continuous 
membership  therein,  which,  as  Brother  Deemer  says,  "  is  without  a 
parallel  in  the  Order." 

Brother  Kreamer  was  prominent  in  other  organizations.  He  was 
Past  Great  Sachem  of  the  Improved  Order  of  Red  Men.  and  for  many 
years  held  the  position  of  Grand  Keeper  of  Wampum.  He  was  also 
Recorder  of  St.  John's  Commandery.  Knights  Templar  and  Treasurer  of 
Shekinah  Lodge,  No.  240,  A.  Y.  M. 

His  death  occured  in  1905 


804,  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

FRANK  T.  WECKEKLY 
Past  State  Councilor  of  Pennsylvania. 

There  passed  to  the  gentler  shades  "  beyond  the  River,"  on  June  19, 
1898,  the  soul  of  a  brother  who  in  his  earthly  life  linked  the  Order  from 
its  inception  to  the  dying  of  the  old  century — Past  State  Councilor  Frank 
T.  Weckerly,  of  Union  Council,  No.  9,  Pennsylvania. 

On  the  night  of  the  institution  of  the  State  Council  of  Pennsylvania, 
March  13,  1860,  a  charter  was  granted  Union  Council,  No.  9,  and  on  the 
following  evening,  March  14,  it  was  duly  instituted,  of  which  Council  our 
departed  brother  was  a  charter  member,  and  a  short  time  subsequent  he 
was  elected  Recording  Secretary  in  which  position  he  served  to  the  time 
of  his  death,  a  period  of  thirty-five  years. 

Brother  Weckerly  was  elected  to  represent  his  Council  in  the  State 
Body,  and  in  1862  was  elected  State  Councilor  of  Pennsylvania,  succeeding 
Brother  Geo.  W.  Kreamer  in  that  office. 

"  After  the  burden,  the  blissful   meed ; 
After  the  flight,  the   downy  rest; 
After  the  furrow,  the  working  seed; 
After  the  shadowy  river,  rest." 


CHARLES  WILLIAM  GEISSEL 
Past  State  Councilor  of  Pennsylvania. 

There  is  something  in  the  mystic  art  that  adapts  itself  to  the 
various  moods  and  temperaments  of  men,  and  it  brings  to  light  in 
different  ones  their  aptitude  for  the  place  they  are  called  to  fill.  All 
stones  in  a  building  are  not  of  the  same  size,  but  all  have  their  part  in 
making  the  structure  complete  and  perfect. 

Past  State  Councilor  Geissel,  though  not  active  for  many  years  in 
the  State  Council  or  the  National  Body,  yet  in  the  years  of  the  Order's 
struggles,  Brother  Geissel  was  active  and  energetic.  He  was  a  member 
of  Harry  Clay  Council,  No.  7,  of  Pennsylvania,  and  remained  a  faithful 
member  until  his  death  which  occurred  in  August  of  1896. 

It  was  in  the  discouraging  year  of  1865,  when  the  Civil  War  had 
sadly  depleted  the  ranks  of  the  Jr.  0.  U.  A.  M.,  that  Brother  Geissel 
occupied  the  Chair  of  State  Councilor.  Those  were  the  days  of  "small 
things"  in  the  Order;  but  lion-hearted  men  were  at  the  helm  and  steered 
the  ship  safely  through  the  shoals. 


EUGENE   H.   HAMMANN 
Past  State  Councilor  of  Pennsylvania. 

A  few  months  following  the  death  of  Past  State  Councilor  Geissel, 
Past  State  Councilor  Eugene  H  Hammann  passed  on  to  the  Supreme 
Council  on  High,  departing  this  life  in  November,  1896.  Brother  Ham- 
mann was  a  member  of  Excelsior  Council,  No.  26,  of  Pennsylvania,  to 
which  he  was  admitted  June  10,  1872.  Those  who  were  associated  with 
him   in  those  early  days  state   that  he  was  an  earnest  worker,  always 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  805 

taking  a  lively  interest  in  his  Council,  which  honored  him  by  electing  him 
Representative  to  the  State  Council;  which  body  elected  him  State 
Councilor  in  1872.  Owing  to  business  interests,  liis  presence  at  the  state 
sessions  was  seldom  seen,  but  he  never  lost  faith  in  the  doctrines  of  the 
Order.  The  writer  had  the  pleasure  of  meeting  Brother  Ilaiiimaiiii  at  the 
State  Council  in  189G,  but  a  few  months  later  he  was  called  home  to 
answer  to  his  name  at  the  call  of  the  Supreme  Councilor  of  the  Universe. 

J.  F.  KOEHNLINE 
Past  State  Councilor  of  Pennsylvania. 

On  February  4,  1904,  another  of  the  links  that  bound  the  earlier 
history  of  the  Order  with  the  present,  in  Pennsylvania,  was  sundered, 
in  the  death  of  Past  State  Councilor  J.  F.  Koehnline,  at  his  late  residence, 
Jeannette,  Pa.  The  writer  is  without  data  as  to  Brother  Koehnline's 
early  history,  as  well  as  his  connection  with  the  Order;  but  it  was  some- 
time in  the  '70s  that  he  connected  himself  with  Smoky  City  Council,  No. 
119,  of  Pittsburg,  Pa.  He  was  in  those  early  years  an  active  and 
enthusiastic  member  to  whom  much  credit  is  due  for  in  indoctrinating 
those  about  him  with  the  principles  and  teachings  of  the  Order  at  a  time 
when  the  organization  had  but  few  members  west  of  the  Allegheny 
Mountains. 

Having  represented  his  Council  for  some  years  in  the  State  Council, 
that  body  selected  him  for  the  office  of  State  Vice-Councilor  in  1883,  and 
the  year  following,  at  the  session  held  at  Allegheny  City,  he  was  unanim- 
ously elected  State  Councilor,  during  which  term  the  Order  in  Pennsylvania 
reached  the  number  of  10,351,  being  a  gain  of  1,351  over  that  of  the 
previous  year. 

Removing  to  Jeannette,  Brother  Koehnline  connected  himself  with 
Crystal  Council,  No  300,  in  the  communion  of  which  fellowship  he  died. 
He  was  frequently  in  attendance  at  the  sessions  of  the  National  Body, 
the  last  session  attended  being  at  San  Francisco,  California,  a  few  months 
previous  to  his  death. 

S.    C.    WEADLEY 
Past  State  Councilor  of  Pennsylvania. 

The  story  of  Pennsylvania's  Juniorism  could  not  be  told  and  leave 
out  the  name  of  Past  State  Councilor  S.  C.  Weadley.  During  the  years 
when  the  Order  was  a  "  small  flock,"  Brother  Weadley,  then  in  his  prime, 
was  an  enthusiastic,  though  quiet  worker  in  the  organization.  He  was  a 
thorough  American  and  believed  in  American  institutions,  especially  in 
the  Public  School  System  in  the  support  of  which  there  never  lived  a 
nobler  champion.  As  a  citizen,  he  was  closely  identified  with  the  public 
schools  of  his  county  and  for  years  served  as  school  director,  giving 
particular  attention  to  the  schools  of  his  district,  a  duty  which  so  many 
members  of  school  boards  fail  to  observe. 

Brother  Weadley's  love  for  the  public  schools  grew  out  of  his 
inculcating  the  principles  of  the  Jr.  O.  U.  A.  M.,  with  which  organization 
he  affiliated  on  the  25th  of  May,  1871,  and  for  thirty  years  he  was 
conspicuous  in  the  Order  in  various  positions.     He  was  elected  State  Vice- 


806  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

Councilor  in  1887,  and  passsed  on  to  State  Councilor  at  the  session  of 
1888  and  was  an  associate  of  such  "  war-horses  "  as  Harry  A.  Keil,  J.  P. 
Winower  and  Stephen  Collins.  For  some  years  he  looked  after  legisla- 
tion during  the  sessions  of  the  Legislature  and  was  instrumental  in 
securing  the  passage  of  measures  along  the  line  of  the  teachings  of  the 
Order.  He  died  at  the  "  crossing  of  the  centuries,"  much  regretted  and 
loved. 

HARRY  A.   KEIL 

Past  State  Councilor  of  Pennsylvania. 

Entered  life  at  Etna,  Pa.,  January  1,  1862;  departed  from  it  at 
Minneapolis,  Minn.,  October  2,   1895. 

Thus  reads  the  record  of  Past  State  Councilor  Harry  A.  Keil,  of 
Pennsylvania,  the  beginning  and  the  end.  He  lived  and  died  a  man.  He 
never  betrayed  his  trust  nor  violated  his  vows.  His  personal  character 
and  his  daily  life  were  above  reproach.  The  world  is  better  that  he  lived 
in  it,  whose  ambition  was  to  make  the  pathway  of  others  smoother  and 
brighter. 

Brother  Keil  became  a  member  of  Bainbridge  Council,  No.  128,  of 
Pennsylvania,  at  its  organization,  June  22,  1881.  In  1887  he  was  elected 
State  Vice-Councilor  of  his  State  Council,  State  Councilor  the  year  fol- 
lowing and  presided  over  the  State  Body  in  1889.  His  record  as  State 
Councilor  was  brilliant,  and  was  the  beginning  of  the  marvelous  advance 
the  Order  made  in  subsequent  years.  There  was  no  man  in  the  Jr. 
0.  U.  A.  M.  more  deservedly  popular  than  Brother  Keil,  and  when  his 
death  occurred  so  suddenly,  great  gloom  was  cast  upon  the  entire  Order 
in  his  native  state. 

He  was  laid  away  with  the  honors  of  the  Order  and  its  ritualistic 
ceremonies,  the  honorary  pall-bearers  being  P.  N.  C,  James  Cranston, 
P.  S.  C,  Stephen  Collins,  N.  R.,  J.  K.  Emge  and  S.  V.  C,  M.  D.  Lichliter. 


JOHN  P  WINOWER 
Past  State  Councilor  of  Pennsylvania. 

A  few  months  following  the  session  of  the  State  Council  of  Pennsyl- 
vania in  1890,  Junior  Past  State  Councilor  John  P.  Winower,  whose  term 
as  State  Councilor  had  been  marked  with  success,  met  with  an  accident 
while  engaged  in  his  occupation  from  the  result  of  which  he  died,  thereby 
removing  from  the  Order  one  of  God's  noblemen. 

Death  seemed  very  cruel,  very  merciless,  to  come  and  beckon  him 
to  its  cave  of  silence.  He  had  risen  in  the  Order  very  rapidly  and  bore 
his  honors  well.  He  was  young  enough  to  be  ambitious,  old  enough  to 
be  well-balanced.  Always  a  gentleman,  most  winning  in  feature  and 
personality,  clean  looking  and  clean  spoken,  he  won  confidence,  he  won 
love,  he  won  men.  No  one,  even  the  most  captious,  spoke  one  word  of 
him  but  of  praise.  His  eyes  looked  straight  and  his  tongue  spoke  true. 
The  very  atmosphere  about  his  presence  was  clear  and  bright.  When  he 
died,  all  Lancaster,  his  home  city,  was  overwhelmed  with  grief.  It  is 
true  that  time  has  passed  a  little  on  from  the  strangeness  of  it  all,  yet 
hearts  are  still  sore  as  they  recall  his  beautiful  life. 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  807 

DR.    MARTIN  H.   \\  11 A  A  A  MS 
Past    National    Representative    from    Pennsylvania. 

Martin  H.  Williams,  M.D.,  a  member  of  Resolution  Council,  No.  0, 
of  Pennsylvania,  and  a  former  Representative  to  the  National  Council, 
was  suddenly  cut  down  in  the  years  of  his  young  manhood,  June  30,  1901. 
Dr.  Williams  stood  high  in  the  affections  of  his  brethren  with  whom  he 
had  worked  for  20  years  in  the  interest  of  the  Order.  He  was  elected 
National  Representative  in  1895,  and  his  presence  in  the  National  Body 
was  an  inspiration  owing  to  his  courteous  and  gentlemanly  demeanor 
and  his  pleasing  disposition. 

There  was  no  discount  on  Dr.  Williams'  loyalty  to  the  doctrines  of 
the  Jr.  0.  U.  A.  M.,  for  he  espoused  them  with  intense  enthusiasm.  His 
death,  therefore,  was  a  great  loss  to  the  world  which  can  ill  afford  the 
"  passing "  of  men  of  such  fine  sensibilities  and  mental  and  moral  caliber. 
It  can  truly  be  said  of  our  genial  brother,  that  "  Death  loves  a  shining 
mark." 

WM.   R.   STROH 

Past  National  Councilor  from  Pennsylvania. 

Past  National  Councilor  Wm.  R.  Stroh,  of  Mauch  Chunk,  Pennsyl- 
vania, for  20  years  was  an  enthusiastic  worker  in  the  Jr.  O.  U.  A.  M. 
Genial,  big-hearted  and  generous,  he  soon  found  a  warm  place  in  the 
hearts  of  his  copatriots  both  in  the  State  and  National  Council.  The 
highest  honor  bestowed  upon  him  by  his  State  Council  was  to  elect  him 
a  Representative  to  the  National  Council,  and  at  the  session  of  the  latter 
body  in  1888,  he  was  selected  National  Vice-Councilor  and  succeeded  to 
that  of  National  Councilor  in  1889.  When  the  National  Orphans'  Home 
movement  was  introduced,  Brother  Stroh  gave  it  his  hearty  support  and 
was  one  of  the  first  committee  to  be  appointed  to  take  the  subject  into 
consideration,  the  same  being  endorsed  and  the  location  secured  while  he 
was  a  member.  Politically,  he  was  a  Republican  and  represented  his 
county  in  the  Legislature  at  the  session  of  1901,  and  the  writer  can 
bear  record  to  his  zeal  and  interest  in  endeavoring  to  bring  about  remedial 
and  helpful  legislation  endorsed  and  supported  by  the  State  Council 
Legislative  Committee.     He  died  in   1902. 


LEWIS  H.  VOGT 
Past   State  Councilor  of   Maryland. 

One  of  the  first  Juniors  of  Maryland,  and  a  copatriot  with  the 
beloved  Sohl,  was  Lewis  H.  Vogt,  a  charter  member  of  Maryland's  first 
Council,  Baltimore,  No.  1.  His  interest  in  the  Order  at  the  time  of  its 
institution  was  marked  and  when  the  requisite  number  of  Councils  were 
formed,  he  with  others  were  sent  as  delegates  to  form  the  State  Council 
of  Maryland,  March  4,  1870,  at  which  time  he  was  elected  Outside  Sentinel. 
The  same  session  honored  Brother  Vogt  by  electing  him  one  of  its  National 
Representatives.  At  the  first  annual  session  of  the  State  Council,  he 
was    elected    State    Council    Treasurer    which    position    he    held    until    Iip 


808  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

was  elected  State  Councilor  at  the  semi-annual  session  of  1872  to  fill  out 
the  term  of  State  Councilor  Mifflin,  resigned. 

Although  Brother  Vogt  remained  a  member  of  the  Order  until  the 
date  of  his  death,  January  12,  1899,  his  duties  as  Chief  Engineer  of  the 
Merchant's  and  Miner's  Steamboat  Company  monopolized  his  time  to  such 
an  extent  as  to  prevent  him  from  taking  any  active  part  in  the  organiza- 
tion in  the  latter  years  of  his  life,  not  even  permitted  to  attend  his  own 
Council  Those  who  knew  him  in  his  earlier  days  speak  of  him  as  a 
good  Junior  and  a  true  patriot. 


HARRY  C.  KRAUSZ 
Past  National  Councilor  from  Maryland. 

The  brief  record  we  have  of  this  brother  states  that  he  was  born 
April  16,  1859,  and  died  April  7,  1892.  His  connection  with  the  Order 
dates  from  September  3,  1877,  at  which  time  he  joined  Friendship  Council, 
No.  7,  of  Maryland,  and  subsequently  represented  his  Council  in  the  State 
Council,  which  body  elected  him  National  Representative,  and  at  the 
session  of  the  National  Council  in  1882  he  was  elected  National  Conductor. 
At  the  session  of  the  National  Body  held  at  Georgetown,  D.  C,  in  1884, 
Brother  Krausz  was  chosen  National  Vice-Councilor  and  in  1885  he  passed 
to  the  Chair  of  National  Councilor.  There  are  those  in  Maryland  who 
keep  these  earlier  brethren  in  appreciative  remembrance  and  have  many 
kind  things  to  say  of  their  loyalty  to  the  Order  and  its  principles. 


CURTIS   LEON   DUSANG 
Past    National    Representative    from    Maryland. 

Like  as  a  thief  in  the  night,  death,  the  remorseless  foe  of  man  came 
to  Brother  C.  L.  Dusang,  Past  National  Representative  from  Maryland, 
May  1,  1907,  cutting  off  a  most  useful  career  at  the  age  of  35  years,  he 
having  been  born  March  29,  1872.  When  but  19  years  of  age,  Brother 
Dusang  connected  himself  with  the  Order,  being  a  charter  member  of 
Aorman  Council,  No.  31,  located  at  Hagerstown,  Maryland,  which  was 
instituted  August  28,  1891. 

The  initiatory  ceremonies  through  which  our  brother  passed  as  he 
entered  the  inner  circle  of  the  organization  were  no  mere  forms  to  him, 
for  his  receptive  nature  fully  imbibed  the  sentiments  and  principles  of  the 
Order  and  he  became  an  active  worker  and  a  conspicuous  factor,  soon 
passing  the  chairs  of  his  Council  and  then  for  eight  years  consecutively 
representing  his  Council  in  the  State  Council  of  Maryland,  which  body 
further  honored  him  by  electing  him  Representative  to  the  National  Council 
in  1894.  When  the  State  Council  of  Maryland  decided  to  hold  its  annual 
session  at  Hagerstown  in  1905,  there  was  organized  the  Fraternal  Enter- 
tainment Association  of  Washington  County  of  the  Jr.  O.  U.  A.  M.,  which 
had  for  its  object  the  entertainment  of  the  State  Body,  of  which  Associa- 
tion, Brother  Dusang  was  elected  President.  However  the  Association 
became  a  permanent  organization,  and  through  it  much  interest  in  the 
Order  was  created  and  enthusiasm  aroused  until  it  became  a  power  for 
good  in  that  section  of  the  state.     In  this  forward  movement,  our  brother 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  809 

was  the  leader  as  well  as  its  inspiration.  As  :t  Special  Deputy  Stale 
Councilor  or  in  any  position  he  was  placed,  he  was  a  faithful  and  untiring 
worker;  and  wherever  he  went,  the  impress  it  his  kindly  disposition  and 
loving  nature  found  an  abiding  place  in  the  hearts  of  hia  brethren. 


C.  C.  COOK 
Past   State  Councilor  of  California. 

It  is  with  a  sense  of  gratification  that  a  State  Council  can  welcome 
annually  at  its  meetings  its  first  State  Councilor,  or  Senior  Past  State 
Councilor.  Somehow  for  these  good  brothers  there  goes  out  from  the  heart 
greater  love,  respect  and  esteem  than  for  other  officers  who  have  succeeded 
them.  But,  alas,  as  Time  wanes,  Death,  "  that  fell  destroyer,"  robs  ua 
of  our  dearest  objects  of  all'ection,  and  again  and  again  the  Order  in  the 
seA'eral  state  jurisdictions  is  called  upon  to  say  farewell  to  familiar  faces 
iD  the  state  assemblies. 

California,  along  with  other  states,  has  lost  her  Senior  Past  State 
Councilor, — C.  C.  Cook — who  was  transferred  to  the  Army  of  Patriots  in 
the  bivouac  of  the  skies,  June  15,  1805.  Brother  Cook  was  one  of  the 
original  members  of  California  and  cooperated  with  National  Organizer 
Stephen  Collins  in  planting  Juniorism  in  the  Golden  State  by  the  organiza- 
tion of  Pacific  Council,  No.  1,  at  San  Luis  Obispo,  and  on  the  highl  of 
its  institution  he  was  elected  Councilor.  When  the  State  Council  was 
instituted  in  1894,  Brother  Cook  was  made  the  Junior  Past  State  Councilor. 
We  will  let  the  committee  appointed  at  the  session  of  the  State  Council 
to  draw  up  resolutions,  of  which  National  Councilor,  Brother  Sehaertzer 
was  Chairman,  tell  the  story: 

"Brother  C.  C.  Cook  was  admitted  to  Pacific  Council,  No.  1,  at  San 
Luis  Obispo  in  1892  at  the  institution  of  that  Council  by  National 
Organizer  Stephen  Collins,  and  was  its  first  Past  Councilor.  At  the 
institution  of  the  State  Council  in  1894  Brother  Cook  became  our  first 
Past  State  Couuncilor.  During  his  entire  connection  with  the  Order  he 
demonstrated  that  the  patriotic  sentiments  which  actuated  his  enlistment 
as  a  union  soldier  in  1861  had  not  been  dimmed  by  his  increasing  years. 

"  Brother  Cook  died  at  the  Soldiers'  Home  at  Santa  Monica  on 
June  15,  1905,  being  at  the  time  a  member  of  Alexander  Hamilton  Council, 
No.  35.  Brother  Cook  lived  and  died  a  patriot.  He  represented  in  his 
simple  way  the  highest  ideals 'of  American  citizenship.  In  his  relations 
with  his  brethren  he  was  always  kind,  courteous  and  considerate.  In  his 
relations  with  the  Order,  unselfish  and  self-sacrificing,  and  in  his  relations 
with  his  country,  loyal  and  patriotic. 


PI.  L.  SPARKS 
State  Council   Secretary  and  National   Representative  of  Colorado. 

Colorado  had  scarcely  been  brought  into  the  Junior  family,  when 
Death  entered  the  ranks  of  her  leaders.  At  the  institution  of  the  State 
Council  of  Colorado,  May  31,  1893,  Brother  Sparks,  one  among  the  bright 
lights  of  Colorado  Juniorism,  took  an  active  part  and  was  elected  its 
Secretary.     But  the  great  law  of  Nature  and  of  God  spares  neither  beinjr 


810  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

or  thing.  That  law  spares  no  man.  From  his  very  birth  his  doom  is  to 
die.  Humanity  creeps  into  the  world,  anon,  stands  upright,  grows  into 
maturity,  then  proceeds  to  make  or  mar  the  individual  portion  of  respon- 
sibility in  the  great  work  of  life.  Before  the  semi-annual  meeting  of  the 
State  Body  following  its  institution,  Death  swung  his  axe  and  cut  down 
Brother  H.  L.  Sparks,  its  gifted  Secretary,  inflicting  a  great  loss  on  the 
fraternity. 

J.  C.  SHEARING 
Past  State  Councilor  of  Colorado. 

Another  active  spirit  in  the  introduction  of  the  Jr  O.  U.  A.  M.  into 
the  "  Silver  State,"  was  Past  State  Councilor  J.  C.  Shearing,  the  Junior 
Past  State  Councilor  at  the  time  of  the  institution  of  the  State  Council, 
hence  is  Senior  Past  State  Councilor. 

Brother  Shearing  imbibed  the  doctrines  of  Juniorism  in  the  mother 
state  of  the  Order,  Pennsylvania,  having  been  admitted  a  member  of 
Smoky  City  Council,  No.  119,  and  was  thus  brought  up  under  the 
enthusiastic  spirit  that  at  that  time  prevailed  in  the  Keystone  State, 
especially  in  Pittsburg.  Removing  to  Colorado  he  became  a  charter 
member  of  Plymouth  Council,  No.  4,  and  served  as  its  Recording  Secretary 
until  his  death.  He  was  one  of  the  principal  factors  in  the  organization 
and  institution  of  the  State  Council  of  Colorado  and,  as  stated,  was  its 
Junior  Past  State  Councilor.  He  was  appointed  Deputy  National  Councilor 
over  Colorado,  and  in  that  position  he  served  efficiently,  and  still  held  the 
office  at  the  time  of  his  death,  which  occurred  sometime  in  1895  or  1896. 
As  a  recognition  of  his  sterling  worth  and  as  a  tribute  to  his  work  in 
the  Order,  a  memorial  page  was  set  apart  in  the  National  Council  Proceed- 
ings to  his  memory. 

S.  N.  MULLIN 
Past   State   Councilor   of   Montana. 

A  Pennsylvanian  by  birth  and  up  to  manhood,  and  leaving  the  state 
for  Montana  in  May,  1895,  he  returned  in  1902,  and  found  his  last  resting 
place  in  the  bosom  of  his  native  state,  dying  August  6,  1905. 

Past  State  Councilor  Mullin  was  admitted  to  Loyal  Council,  No.  781, 
of  Pennsylvania,  May  18,  1892,  from  which  he  drew  his  card  May  22,  1895, 
to  remove  to  Montana,  as  above  stated,  where  he  at  once  began  to  preach 
the  doctrines  of  Juniorism  in  the  City  of  Butte  and  succeeded  in  organizing 
a  Council  which  was  instituted  by  National  Organizer  Jos.  Powell,  April 
13,  1896.  At  the  institution  of  the  State  Council  by  Brother  Powell  on 
April  15,  same  year,  Brother  Mullin  took  a  prominent  part,  his  experience 
in  passing  the  chairs  of  his  former  Council  being  invaluable  to  the  new 
organization,  of  which  he  was  elected  Junior  Past  State  Councilor,  thereby 
having  the  honor  of  being  the  Senior  Past  State  Councilor  of  Montana. 

For  many  years  Brother  Mullin  was  in  attendance  at  the  sessions 
of  the  National  Council  in  which  body  he  took  a  lively  interest.  He  was 
of  a  retiring  disposition,  indisposed  to  much  publicity  and  never  sought 
advancement  or  prominence.  Returning  to  his  native  state  in  1902,  he 
deposited   his   card    in   his   old   Council,   and   silently   he   worked   side   by 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  811 

side  with  his  former  copatriots  in  the  humble  ranks  of  the  Order,  there 
being  but  few  members  of  the  National  Council  who  knew  of  hi-  presence 
in  the  City  of  Philadelphia. 


GEORGE  E.  COLEMAN 
Past   State   Councilor   of   Ohio. 

In  the  month  of  March,  1897,  Brother  George  E.  Coleman,  Past  State 
Councilor  of  Ohio  was  transferred  from  the  earthly  to  the  heavenly 
fraternity.  By  reference  to  the  history  of  the  State  Council  of  Ohio,  we 
find  that  Brother  Coleman  was  State  Vice-Councilor  in  1891,  and  had  for 
his  associate  on  the  Board  of  Officers,  Brother  J.  G.  A.  Richter,  whose  term 
as  State  Councilor  was  attended  with  such  wonderful  success.  However, 
he  was  ably  succeeded  in  the  Chair  in  1892  by  Brother  Coleman  whose 
term  was  also  one  of  great  advance,  41  new  Councils  having  been  instituted 
and  11  rechartered,  with  an  increase  of  membership  of  over  4,000. 

This  fact  alone  is  substantial  evidence  of  his  activity  and  prominence 
in  the  Order,  and  up  to  the  time  of  his  death,  both  in  the  National  and 
State  Councils  he  manifested  a  great  interest  in  the  organization. 


ABNER  B.  PYLES 

National  Representative  from  Texas. 

Those  who  were  associated  with  him  in  the  work  of  the  Order  say. 
that  Brother  Abner  B.  Pyles  was  one  of  the  noblest  of  men,  true  as  Bteel 
and  faithful  to  every  duty.  He  was  born  in  the  State  of  Alabama, 
November  13,  1852,  and  died  in  Fort  Worth,  Texas,  April  28,  1897.  His 
career  as  a  Junior  was  short,  having  joined  Mansfield  Council,  No.  12,  of 
Texas,  as  a  charter  member  in  April  of  1895.  He  was  elected  Jr.  Past 
Councilor  on  the  night  of  its  institution  and  was  sent  as  a  Representative 
to  the  State  Council  at  its  session  in  May  following,  where  his  sterling 
character  was  so  quickly  recognized  as  to  commend  him  to  the  favorable 
consideration  of  his  brethren,  who,  not  only  elected  him  State  Council 
Treasurer,  but  conferred  upon  him  the  honors  of  National  Representative 
and  in  that  position  he  attended  the  session  at  Omaha,  Neb.,  in  1895,  and 
was  prevented  from  attending  the  session  at  Denver  the  year  following 
through  illness.  As  a  member  of  the  Order,  a  business  man  and  a  citizen. 
Brother  Pyles  stood  high   in  the  community,  loved  and  respected  by  all. 


W.   O.    STAPLES 
National  Representative  from  Connecticut. 

Those  who  attended  the  sessions  of  the  National  Council  from  1895 
to  1899,  will  recall  the  name  of  National  Representative  W.  O.  Staples,  of 
Connecticut,  one  of  the  most  prominent  Juniors  of  that  jurisdiction. 
Brother  Staples  was  a  member  of  Liberty  Council,  No.  3,  Connecticut,  was 
a  conspicuous  factor  in  the  Order  in  the  state,  and  appeared  first  in  the 
National  Council  at  its  session  at  Asheville,  X.  C,  in  1895. 

While  he  was  a  loyal  Junior  and  faithful  in  the  propagation  of  its 


812  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

principles,  Brother  Staples's  great  work  in  the  cause  of  patriotism,  where 
he  was  best  known,  was  as  National  Secretary  of  the  Daughters  of  Liberty, 
which  position  he  held  for  13  years.  His  work  in  both  organizations, 
however,  ceased  in  the  interim  of  the  National  Council  sessions  of  1899 
and  1900,  by  his  answering  to  the  roll-call  of  a  higher  Secretary  in  the 
Council  of  Spirits  on  High. 


We  are  told  that  back  in  the  forests  of  British  Columbia,  a 
lumberman  found  the  skeleton  of  a  man  at  the  foot  of  a  tree.  The 
man  had  evidently  starved  to  death,  but  had  strength  enough  to 
tear  a  leaf  from  his  diary  and  write  upon  it  in  bold  characters 
and  fasten  it  upon  the  tree  above  his  head.  This  is  what  was  writ- 
ten :    "  This  is  the  end  of  the  trail." 

In  the  forest  or  on  the  sea,  on  the  street  or  in  the  home,  it 
will  come  to  all  of  us  in  our  earthly  pilgrimage — "  This  is  the 
end  of  the  trail."  The  National  Council  fiscal  year  of  1897-1898 
witnessed  a  great  mortality  among  its  members,  seven  of  them 
having  reached  the  "  end  of  the  trail,"  and  their  names  follow : 

MELVILLE  THOMPSON 
National  Representative  from  Delaware. 

Those  who  attended  the  session  of  the  National  Council  at  Pittsburg, 
Pa.,  can  recall  the  geniality  as  well  as  enthusiasm  of  Brother  Thompson, 
who  was  the  Chairman  of  the  Delaware  delegation  in  the  interest  of 
Brother  F.  W.  Pierson  for  the  office  of  National  Vice-Councilor.  It  came 
like  a  thunderclap  to  the  Order  Avhen  it  was  announced  that  but  a  few 
weeks  subsequent  to  the  session,  July  5,  1897,  he  was  translated  to  the 
Eternal  City. 

Brother  Thompson  was  a  charter  member  of  Eureka  Council,  No.  1, 
of  Delaware,  and  on  the  night  of  its  institution,  in  1888,  he  was  elected 
Recording  Secretary  and  served  continuously  until  his  death,  with  the 
exception  of  the  time  occupied  in  "  passing  the  chairs."  His  standing 
among  his  brethren  was  high  and  his  death  was  deplored. 

JOHN  A.  EHRET 
Past   State  Councilor  of   New  York. 

The  life  of  Past  State  Councilor  John  A.  Ehret  went  out  so  suddenly, 
through  a  terrible  accident,  that  among  his  brethren  sorrow  itself  was  for 
a  little  while  stunned,  and  grief  could  think  no  adequate  message,  but 
grope  instead  for  breath  and  life  and  speech.  Brother  Ehret  was  initiated 
a  member  of  Martha  Washington  Council,  No.  11,  of  New  York,  March  23, 
1883,  and  was  installed  State  Councilor  February  22,  1891.  For  years  he 
had  a  prominent  place  in  the  Order's  history  in  his  state  and  died 
November  20,   1897,  loved  and  esteemed  by  his  brethren. 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  813 

j.  e.  Mccarty 

State  Council   Secretary  and   National   Representative 
of  Indian  Territory. 

The  Order  in  Indian  Territory  soon  after  its  introduction  lost  a 
most  excellent  member  and  the  State  Council  a  valuable  officer  the  first 
year  of  its  history,  in  the  death  of  State  Council  Secretary  J.  E.  McCartj  . 
which  occurred  by  accident  on  the  8th  of  December,  1897.  Brother 
McCarty  was  not  only  elected  the  Secretary  of  the  State  Council  a1  its 
institution  April  15,  1897,  but  was  also  selected  to  represent  the  State 
Body  in  the  National  Council,  to  which  body  he  never  was  admitted] 
however,  because  of  his  untimely  death. 

Brother  McCarty  stood  high  in  the  estimation  of  his  associates,  and 
his  sudden  removal  from  the  infant  organization  was  very  much  regretted. 
Had  ho  lived,  he  would  no  doubt  have  had  a  prominent  place  not  only  in 
his  State  Council,  but  in  the  National  Body  as  well. 


WILLIAM  W.  HALL 
Past   State  Councilor  of  the   District   of  Columbia. 

William  W.  Hall,  Past  State  Councilor  of  the  District  of  Columbia, 
assumed  the  vows  of  a  Junior  in  1891,  and  faithfully  and  conscientiously 
met  his  obligation.  He  was  one  of  the  most  active,  yet  unselfish  workers 
the  District  of  Columbia  ever  had.  In  1895  Brother  Hall  was  elected 
State  Councilor,  and  was  admitted  to  the  National  Council  at  its  session 
held  in  1896.  He  departed  this  life  December  11,  1897,  respected  by  all. 
He  was  a  courteous  and  thorough  gentleman,  not  by  the  veneer  of  outward 
polish,  but  by  the  instincts  of  a  nature  fashioned  at  its  birth  and  culti- 
vated as  an  heritage. 

A.  E.  BURKITT 

National    Representative  from   Connecticut. 

As  a  member  of  Winona  Council,  No.  5,  Connecticut,  Brother  Burkitt 
was  recognized  as  possessing  most  excellent  qualities  of  manhood  and  at 
once  he  was  placed  in  the  front.  He  was  elected  to  represent  his  Council 
in  the  State  Council,  which  body  elected  him  State  Council  Treasurer 
which  position  he  filled  with  eminent  satisfaction.  He  was  further  honored 
by  the  State  Council  by  being  elected  a  National  Representative.  He  died 
January  30,  1898. 

W.    A.   GORDON 
Past   State   Councilor  of  Ohio. 

Ohio  has  produced  some  fine  specimens  of  Junior  manhood.  Amon^ 
those  of  her  earlier  patriots  lived  one  of  Nature's  noblemen,  loved  and 
esteemed  by  the  entire  brotherhood  of  the  state — Past  State  Councilor 
W.  A.  Gordon,  and  at  the  time  of  his  death.  State  Council  Treasurer. 
Brother  Gordon  was  a  charter  member  of  Western  Reserve  Council,  No.  9, 
which  was  instituted  sometime  about  1883,  from  which  he  subsequently 


814  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

withdrew  to  organize  Forest  City  Council,  No.  18,  of  which  he  was  the 
first  Councilor.  For  years  he  represented  his  Council  in  the  State  Council 
and  nobly  stood  with  the  little  band  of  patriots  when  Ohio  was  experiencing 
her  "  day  of  small  things "  so  far  as  the  Order  was  concerned. 

On  the  eve  of  Ohio's  great  boom,  in  1887,  Brother  Gordon  was  elected 
State  Councilor,  and  his  term  of  office  was  marked  with  success,  the 
membership  being  doubled.  In  1890  he  was  elected  State  Council  Treasurer, 
which  position  he  filled  with  satisfaction  until  the  day  of  his  death,  which 
occurred  April  7,  1898.  Brother  Gordon  was  for  seven  years  a  regular 
attendant  at  the  sessions  of  the  National  Council  and  took  a  leading  part 
therein,  serving  on  some  of  its  most  important  committees. 

It  can  be  said  of  him,  that  his  zeal  won  him  a  host  of  helpers  when 
he  was  at  the  helm.  His  interest  in  the  Order  awakened  the  dormant 
mind  and  attracted  the  enthusiastic.  Brother  Gordon  is  certainly  worthy 
a  place  in  this  "  temple  of  Junior  fame." 


ROBERT  L.  LINDSAY 
National  Representative  from  Missouri. 

April  18.  1898,  was  the  date  of  the  "  passing "  of  Brother  R.  L. 
Lindsay,  who  for  five  years  had  represented  his  State  Council  in  the 
National  Body  where  he  was  well  and  very  favorably  known.  He  was  a 
charter  member  of  Thos.  Jefferson  Council,  No.  11,  of  Missouri,  and  was 
always  an  earnest  member  and  a  tireless  worker  in  the  interests  of  his 
State  Council.  His  death  was  much  regretted  both  in  his  Subordinate 
and  State  Council. 


Thus  in  one  short  year  seven  of  the  members  of  the  Supreme 
Body  of  the  Order  passed  to  "  the  home  beyond  the  tide."  Never 
in  the  history  of  the  National  Council  had  so  marked  a  mortality 
been  seen.     All  gone,  but  not  forgotten. 


GEORGE  M.  LOUCK 
Past  State  Councilor  of  Indiana. 

During  the  interim  of  the  meeting  of  the  State  Councils  of  1904-1905, 
Past  State  Councilor  George  M.  Louck  had  his  membership  transferred  to 
the  Supreme  Council  in  the  skies.  Brother  Louck  was  a  conscientious 
Junior  having  served  the  Order  faithfully  and  well.  His  Council  sent  him 
him  to  the  highest  position  in  the  gift  of  the  body  in  1899.  While  his 
merited  honors  by  electing  him  State  Vice-Councilor  and  then  promoted 
him  to  the  highest  position  in  the  gift  of  the  body  in  1899.  While  his 
administration  was  eminently  successful,  there  being  a  gain  of  343.  it 
would  no  doubt  have  been  greater  had  it  not  been  for  a  personal  affliction, 
his  wife  having  passed  away  during  the  term.  In  a  very  befitting  manner, 
the  State  Council  adopted  a  Memoriam  on  his  death  at  the  session  of  1905. 


UNITED  AMERICAN  MECHANICS  sir, 

Death  has  cut  down  not  only  the  brothers  in  the  ranks  of  the 
Junior  army,  but  has  enteral  a  lew  times  into  the  sacred  precincts 
of  our  beloved  Orphans'  Home,  at  Tiffin,  Ohio.  The  beautiful 
tribute  to  one  of  our  little  ones  found  below  is  so  touching  thai 
we  place  it  here  in  the  memorial  gallery  of  our  departed  brethren. 
It  was  written  by  Brother  John  R.  Bliss,  at  that  time  Stale  Council 
Secretary  of  Ohio,  whose  interest  in  the  Homo  at  Tiffin  was  a 
marked  characteristic. 


HAZEL  P.  RENZENBRINK 

"  IN    MEMORIAM 

"  Hazel  P.  Renzenbrink  was  born  in  the  City  of  Canton,  Ohio. 
October  5,  1886.  On  February  18,  1897,  she  became  a  member  of  our 
Home,  and  remained  in  his  care  until  June  2, 1897,  when,  after  a  brief  illness, 
she  died  of  tubercular  peritonitis.  Her  remains  were  taken  to  Canton 
by  Superintendent  Zimmerman.  At  the  depot  they  were  met  by  Washington 
Council,  No.  12,  of  Canton,  with  beautiful  floral  tributes,  and  together  they 
gave  resting  place  to  all  that  was  mortal  of  Hazel,  in  the  city's  beautiful 
cemetery.  Her's  was  a  beautiful  and  attractive  life.  In  disposition  she 
was  gentle,  kind  and  affectionate.  She  was  tenderly  loved  by  the  matron 
and  the  members  of  the  Home. 

"  When  she  went  home 
The  angels  sang  a  gladder,  sweeter  song, 
A  tuneful  melody  both  clear  and  strong. 
To  guide  her  soul  into  the  holy  throng, 

"  When  she  went  home 
For  her  there  was  peace  and  freedom  from  pain. 
Calm  rest  in  Heaven,  all  time  to  remain; 
A  joy,  that  on  earth  one  can  never  attain, 
When  she  went  home." 

Stones  and  monuments  mark  the  place  where  lie  buried  thoso 
whose  warfare  has  been  accomplished,  but  words  and  deeds 
illumine  the  present  of  our  lives  when  we  think  of  our  brothers 
who  have  gone  from  us  to  the  Land  Beyond  the  River.  In  God's 
green  acre  the  departed  and  the  remembered  sweetly  sleep,  and  in 
our  heart  of  hearts  they  live  with  us  and  the  remembrance  of  their 
friendship  is  as  green  as  the  turf  that  mantles  their  resting-place. 
As  we  sit  and  think  of  them  let  it  be  like  that  of  which  the  New 
England  bard,  Longfellow,  wrote: 


816  HISTORY  OF  THE  JUNIOR  ORDER 

"  Ere  the  evening  lamps  are  lighted, 
And  like  phantoms  grim  and  tall, 
Shadows  from  the  fitful  firelight 
Dance  upon  the  parlor  wall. 

"  Then  the  forms  of  the  departed 
Enter  at  the  open  door; 
The  beloved,  the  true-hearted, 
Come  to  visit  us  once  more." 


They  have  fought  the  good  fight,  they  have  finished  their 
course,  and,  we  trust  and  hope,  have  entered  into  the  enjoyment 
of  their  reward,  and  so  we  bid  them  farewell : 


Looking  upward,  shall  we  mourn  theml 

No;  the  crown  of  life  they  hold, 
And  in  vision  rare  we  see  them 

As  they  walk  the  streets  of  gold 
They  are  echoing  our  music, 

As  its  harmonies  ring  true; 
For  the  best  gift  we  may  offer 

Is  not  rosemary  and  rue. 

So,  my  Brethren,  as  we  linger 

On  the  dusty  highway  here, 
May  we  emulate  their  living, 

While  we  hold  their  memory  dear. 
One  we  are  for  aye  and  ever, 

Though  the  earth  and  skies  divide. 
May  the  mind  of  Christ  dwell  in  us, 

And  the  peace  of  God  abide!  " 


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